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While carbon capture is an innovative technology to achieve net-zero by removing emissions from the atmosphere, several challenges lie in its expansion for industrial usage. Kim Kyu-nam is a researcher who focuses on scaling carbon capture technologies from lab research to real-world, industrial production. Dr. Kim expressed that achieving net-zero requires both transitioning to clean energy and removing unavoidable emissions through carbon capture and expressed concerns for

Climate action starts from cutting-edge technologies that can reduce carbon emissions, but those technologies must first be granted patents to be commercialized. In Korea, the Ministry of Intellectual Property assesses whether newly invented technologies are truly innovative and significant and issue patents. Kwon Goo-bum at the Ministry's Intellectual Property Office, formerly known as the Patent office, discussed the growing development of climate-related technologies such

Just as much attention is given to renewable energy as a promising sustainable solution, fuel cells deserve more recognition. Chae Geun-seok is a 30-year veteran researcher of fuel cells and currently a CEO of Second To None Hydrogen Energy (STH), a company specializing in fuel-cell catalysts. His expertise in fuel cells offered a valuable perspective on fuel cell's synergy with renewable energy and how scientific advancements alone cannot tackle net-zero.   Firstly, what kin

As the largest source of carbon emissions in many countries, the industrial sector’s commitment to sustainability plays a decisive role in shaping the national path toward net-zero. Behind such carbon reduction progress of leading businesses is the careful planning and arranging by the Corporate Planning Department. Kim Jong-yun at the chemicals and advanced materials business Toray's Corporate Planning Department spoke about the corporation's alignment and contribution to Ko

Australia’s rainforests, once powerful absorbers of carbon dioxide, are now releasing more carbon than they capture. The research from The Guardian  tracked over 11,00 trees across more than 20 forest sites in Queensland from roughly about more than 50 years. It found that rising temperatures, frequent droughts, and increased tree deaths have caused the forests to shift from storing carbon to emitting it. This discovery raises major concerns about Australia’s ability to meet

As companies strive to achieve net-zero goals, they often communicate with consulting firms specialized in such areas. This extensive interview with InnerGen's director Cho Jeaun introduced the intricate collaboration and a vital role that consulting firms play in leading corporations to a net-zero goal. It was impressive to learn the contributions of a greenhouse gas consulting firm, particularly the specific consulting cases that exhibited effects beyond emission reduction

Beyond carbon emissions created on land, a significant amount is also emitted in the sea. Port operations are at the heart of global trade, driving economic growth by facilitating international supply chains, yet is a major carbon emitter. In Korea, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has incorporated numerous projects to reduce carbon emissions to abide by the newly introduced NDC goal. Eom Ikhwan, the Ministry's Director of Port Logistics Planning, shared insight to the pr

Among several ongoing CCS projects is one succeeding exploration in the South China Sea oil field. This project is managed by China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), one of the largest oil and gas exploration and production companies in the world. Interviewing Wu Qilin, a manager of the current CCS project, offered perspective of what it means to observe, plan, and execute CCS projects upfront. Please introduce the oil field CCS project you are currently working on.

For global climate agreements and national carbon reduction goals to be accomplished, a standardized mechanism to track emissions is essential. Korea Electronics Technology Institute is currently researching and developing such devices, particularly in its Smart Network Research Center. Kim Young-han, the head of this research team, provided deep insight into the future of these carbon measurement devices and the imperative role it can play in carbon reduction. What is your r

Hong Kong has begun pursuing strategies to enhance climate resilience and reduce carbon emissions in response to the dangers posed to their coastal metropolitan city by climate change. These risks include rising sea levels, extreme heat, and intensified typhoons, jeopardizing the densely populated shoreline, critical infrastructure and natural habitats of the city.  The Climate Action Plan 2050 in Hong Kong aims to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. Hong Kong also aims to reduc

This is a strong new goal of climate action that is established by the European Union, which is a 90% net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, as compared to 1990. This is a proposal revealed by the European Commission that aims to steer the industries and investors in Europe towards the long term goal of the continent having a net-zero emission by 2050. The target is the way to go in between the current 2030 ambitions and the 2050 aim and the target will not only g

Companies in the oil and gas exploration sector are exploring innovative ways to reduce their carbon footprint, and Halliburton is no exception. Halliburton is one of the largest transnational corporations that provides products and services to the global energy industry. On its way to achieve 40% reduction of Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2035 from the 2018 baseline, the company is exploring CCS as one of its net-zero strategies. Through a written interview, Halliburton's Techn

In December 2020, the Danish government, alongside the Danish parliament, finalized on an agreement regarding the halting of oil and gas exploration in the North Sea by 2050. Denmark subsequently began an abolition policy, cancelling its 8th oil and gas licensing round as well as future bid rounds. Licensing rounds refer to a process in which a government offers geographical areas for exploration and production, most commonly in regards to oil, gas, and minerals. Through the

As global temperatures continue to rise and climate targets slip further out of reach, scientists are urgently exploring new ways to remove carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere. While most attention is diverted to renewable energy or electric vehicles, an overlooked, more natural solution is gaining momentum—enhanced rock weathering, a method that can turn ordinary volcanic rock into a powerful carbon sponge. The process is simple in theory: crush volcanic rocks such as b

In 2020, Korea made a bold commitment: to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. At the national level, Korea’s carbon neutrality goal provides an overarching framework, but real changes start from local innovations. Cities, communities, and individuals form the foundation for achieving the large-scale national goals, turning abstract goals into tangible processes.  As Korea transitions its energy systems and redesigns urban environments, some key questions are brought to

Expanding on one of the first interviews with SK EarthOn's Ji Sung-hoon, who explained their Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) investigation, today's interview is with Julia Davies at InCapture. InCapture  is a carbon store project developer based in Australia, and is currently collaborating with SK EarthOn on a new project along the western coast of Australia.  This enriching conversation with Ms. Davies, a CCS expert, introduced a new lens of viewing CCS as a complex interna

How solar cells can contribute to carbon neutrality and renewable energy expansion is a commonly thought notion. One Korean eco-friendly energy materials company exploring solar cell development is Hanhwa Solution. A researcher in the R&D team, Kim Keun-jin shared the biggest benefits of solar cells, and emphasized the need for long-term R&D policy support alongside continued advancements in solar efficiency and diversification. First, what kind of solar-related research is y

Among the rapidly developing battery industry is Lotte Chemical, a company that has a unique department called Future Technology Center within the Battery Materials division. This interview with Kim Jae-kyum, a senior researcher at the Future Technology Center, touched upon the battery industry's efforts to improve battery efficiency in an eco-friendly manner, but still highlighted that eco-friendliness and sustainability is yet to be recognized as a primary consideration for

Aside from large scale carbon reduction efforts such as CCS, changes for a net-zero future are being made through substances as small as carbon fiber. One expert in carbon fiber is Park Duk-myung, Sales Manager of the Composite Materials Division at Toray, a major chemicals and advanced materials business based in Japan. A conversation with Park introduced the crucial role carbon fiber plays in manufacturing materials and contributing to carbon reduction efforts.  What exactl

With a continued emphasis on the role that solar cells play in a wider range of energy and climate solutions, researchers are exploring how these technologies can be applied beyond traditional systems and adapted in more innovative ways. Lee Da-seul is a researcher at Gyeongnam Aerospace Defense Industry Science and Technology Institute, who recently started exploring how solar cells can be applied to outer space. Through this interview, she provided the perspective of a sola