Press Release

Board View

Environment ministers of S.Korea, Japan, and China discussed reducing fine particles and achieving carbon neutrality

▷ South Korean Environment Minister attended TEMM23 on December 1  


Sejong, December 9 - Han Wha-jin, Minister of Environment, attended the "23rd Tripartite Environment Ministers' Meeting" (TEMM23) held online on December 1 to discuss key environmental agendas, including fine particle reduction, achieving carbon neutrality, circular economy, biodiversity conservation, and future cooperation. The meeting was attended by fifty people, including South Korean Minister of Environment Han Wha-jin, Chinese Minister of Ecology and Environment Huang Runqiu, Japanese State Minister of Environment Yamada Miki, and the Environment Ministries staff member of the three countries.


The Environment Ministers of the three countries shared their environmental policies' current issues and directions. They discussed ways to cooperate to improve the regional environment and tackle global environmental problems. Minister Han Wha-jin stressed the importance of making continuous efforts to respond to the needs of the three countries hoping for cleaner air, even though ultrafine particles (PM2.5) concentrations have declined in Korea (25μg/m3 in 2017→ 18μg/m3 in 2021). Specifically, she introduced the "4th Seasonal Management Program for Fine Dust" (from December 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023) that started on the opening day of TEMM23 (December 1) as an initiative of Korea to control the high concentration of ultra-fine particles during winter. She asked China and Japan to respond to the issue together. In addition, Minister Han introduced the climate change adaptation plan developed by reinforcing action plans based on the 2050 carbon neutrality roadmaps to achieve the science-based targets initiative to be applied in fields. While stressing the significance of climate change adaptation, Minister Han asked China and Japan to participate in the Korea Global Adaptation Week to be held in August 2023 in Incheon to share their experience of implementing related policies. Lastly, she shared the plan to expand the "Green ODA," and the outcome of the Green Transition Initiative (GTI) led by Korea and Indonesia signed during the G20 summit held in November. Minister Han reaffirmed South Korea's commitment to contributing to international society's response to climate change.


Huang Runqiu, Chinese Minister of Ecology and Environment, introduced China's plan for low carbon and green transition and shared China's achievement in improving water quality and reducing air pollution. Chinese Minister asked for tripartite cooperation to adopt the "post-2020 global biodiversity framework (Post-2020 GBF)" as a strategic plan for global biodiversity by 2030 at the 15th UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP15.2) to be held in Canada on December 7 under the Presidency of China. Yamada Miki, Japanese State Minister of Environment, presented the green transition policy for decarbonization in all areas of society and the economy to achieve 2050 carbon neutrality. She stressed domestic and global efforts to reduce plastic pollution and the necessity of tripartite cooperation and communication for international negotiations. State Minister Yamada also introduced Japan's implementation plan to increase the size of the protection area by 30% in the future.


Moreover, the three countries reviewed the implementation progress of the "3rd Tripartite Joint Action Plan (TJAP) 2021-2025" adopted during the TEMM22 held in Korea last year, focusing on the progress made in the 8 TEMM priority cooperation areas for the first year and discussed ways to cooperate in the future.

※ Eight priority cooperation areas of TJAP: ① Air quality improvement, ② 3R (reduction, reuse, recycle)/ circular economy / zero waste city, ③ Marine and water environment management, ④ Climate change, ⑤ Biodiversity, ⑥ Chemical management and environmental emergency response, ⑦ Transition to a green economy, and ⑧ Environmental education, public awareness, and engagement.


TJAP provides a blueprint for tripartite cooperation for the next five years with priority cooperation areas and detailed implementation plans and demonstrates the willingness and efforts of the three countries to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, implement the Paris Agreement, and complete the green recovery from COVID-19. The three Ministers agreed to step up their cooperative efforts based on the progress made in 2022, the first year of implementation of the 3rd JTAP. In particular, Minister Han stressed that the cooperation of countries in Northeast Asia, including Mongolia, and tripartite cooperation is equally important in tackling the fine dust (including yellow dust) issue. To that end, the Minister said that the Ministry expects to share the air quality data with Mongolia and other Northeast Asian countries actively and construct and operate a website. While stressing the role and importance of the industry and future generations in tripartite cooperation, Minister Han Wha-jin proposed the expansion of the base for collaboration and continuous communication with each other by holding a roundtable discussion on the environment and industry and a youth forum.

The Environment Ministers of the three countries signed the Joint Communique that stated the implementation progress of the 3rd JTAP and reiterated the commitment to tripartite cooperation to tackle environmental issues of the region and the world. "We highly appreciate the progress made on projects of the 3rd JTAP during the first year of implementation amid diverse challenges. We believe that we can bring forward the future of sustainability when the three countries cooperate based on their unique strengths," said Minister Han Wha-jin.


Contact: Oh Seok-joo, Deputy Director

International Cooperation Division / +82-(0)44-201-6573


Foreign Media Contact: Chun Minjo(Rachel)

+82-(0)44-201-6055 / rachelmchun@korea.kr