Sejong, April 25 - The Ministry of Environment (Minister Han Wha-jin) launched the Innovation Committee on Environmental Research and Development (R&D) and held its first meeting in Seoul on April 18, 2023. With environmental technology, the Innovation Committee will effectively resolve environmental challenges, including △carbon neutrality, △ a circular economy, and △an environmentally safe society. It will also support the growth of the country's core environmental industry while backing domestic companies' entry into the overseas market.

The Innovation Committee plans to actively reflect R&D needs from the demand side (private sectors), moving away from the supply ( traditional government)-centric environmental R&D. It will also serve as a professional advisory body to innovate environmental technology R&D and related systems, aiming to produce practical results such as field verification and commercialization. The Committee consists of 17 environmental technology experts from industry, academia, and research institutions, including co-chairs from the private sector.

In addition, the Committee will analyze technological and industrial trends in key environmental areas such as △climate atmosphere, △water management, △resource circulation, △ecological conservation, and △environmental conservation and gather opinions from the private sector. It will also operate a Private Sector Subcommittee to develop core strategic tasks for environmental R&D innovation and publish a strategic report.

The Innovation Committee's first meeting agenda was "The roles of the government and the private sector in promoting the development of the environmental industry with policies to develop environmental technology." Under the leadership of co-chairs from the public and private sectors, Committee members participated in lively discussions. Before the first meeting, Minister Han Wha-jin distributed appointment letters to the Committee members and held a group luncheon.

Environment Minister Han Wha-jin said, "Private-led innovation in environmental technology development has become more important than ever to achieve carbon neutrality, solve environmental issues, and actively expand green industries overseas." Han added, "The newly launched Committee will play a central role in formulating policy directions for innovating environmental R&D and establishing key strategies."