KAIST College of Business 상세 > Media > News >KAIST COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
본문 바로가기 사이트 메뉴 바로가기 주메뉴 바로가기

Seeking solution for sustainable future worldwide2017-12-11Hit:1521

Before the summit in France to celebrate the second anniversary of the Paris Climate Change Accord, an international conference was held to discuss the future of the Paris Accord and the strategies for strengthening international cooperation for the new climate regime. The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) Graduate School of Green Growth (President: In, Younghwan) and Coalition for our Common Future (Chairman: Kim, Sang-Hyup) hosted The 4th Annual Seoul Climate-Energy Conference at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul on November 24th.

 

With the theme of ‘Creating new momentum for the Paris Agreement and a Sustainable Future’, the conference assessed the results from the 23rd Session of the Conference of the Parties under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and sought out strategies to strengthen international cooperation in the future. Shin, Sung-Chul, the President of KAIST, emphasized the need for a global response to climate change and energy issues in opening ceremony. He emphasized innovation, collaboration and speed along with the main keywords comprehensive green growth and sustainable growth in the era of the fourth industrial revolution; he also gave emphasis to KAIST’s efforts in the areas of industry-academia cooperation and fostering the talented individuals.

 

First, the 8th UN Secretary General, Ban, Ki-moon, who led the Paris Accord gave a keynote speech. In his speech, he said, “While all countries except the United States have participated in the Paris Accord, the international community will strengthen its cooperation for a new momentum and a sustainable future for a new climate system. To improve the earth’s resilience and to pass on the beautiful earth to our descendants, we will use all of our resources and potential, and work together.”

 

International cooperation is needed for a sustainable future.

Mr. Song, Young-gil, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Northern Economic Cooperation, emphasized “the importance of building an Asian super grid as a means of promoting cooperation among nations in Northeast Asia.” Also, he said, “Establishing a power grid for the transmission of power from Mongolia to China, Korea, and Japan, connecting the economic vessels of Northeast Asia, will strengthen the ties between the nations and build a future-oriented relationship. The current government will urge Chinese and Japanese governments as well as businessmen to cooperate in building a Northeast Asian super grid with a firm commitment and philosophy.”

 

Mr. Won, Hee-ryong, Governor of Jeju Self-Governing Province, said, “Climate change is a transnational issue, and Jeju has been continuously pursuing the project – ‘Carbon Free Island 2030’ for ‘carbon zero’ in line with the National Green Growth Strategy.” Also, as Jeju's efforts to combine high-tech industries to create new business models through the fourth industrial revolution are not enough, he asked for interest and participation from other regions, institutions and researchers.

 

Shin, Sung-Chul, President of KAIST, adds fresh insight through KAIST special session

KAIST special session was newly organized this year to present the direction of higher education and research for a sustainable future in association with the National Research Foundation of Korea. At the luncheon special session, the delegation of ‘Climate Scouts’, composed of college students, conveyed the thoughts and opinions of the young minds for a sustainable society to cope with climate change. Their opinions added ideas to the conference.

 

In the discussion on the direction of the policies of the current government’s climate and energy, policymakers from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Trade, and Ministry of Environment participated as the panel. Sang-Hyup Kim, (Chairman of Coalition for our Common Future and Co-chair of Seoul Climate-Energy Conference) as the chair of the session, Chan Woo Kim, (Ambassador for Climate Change), Howard Bamsey, (Executive Director of Green Climate Fund), Frank Rijsberman (Director-general of the Global Green Growth Institute), Michael Reiterer (Ambassador of the EU to the Republic of Korea), Thomas Kaberger (Chair of the Executive Board of the Renewable Energy Institute), and Fuqiang Yang (Senior Advisor of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)) participated in the discussion. At the first meeting, the participants discussed the topic of “the promotion of international cooperation for a new climate system in 2020.”

 


More than 40 international climate energy experts gave talks and discussed in the following sessions: Vitalizing Global Collaboration for 2020 New Climate Regime The Quest for Energy Transition in the Climate Change Era Sustainable Future: The Role of Higher Education’ ‘Building a Green Energy Infrastructure: North-East Asia Super Grid How to Finance the Transition to Green Energy Smart Green City and New Mobility.


Contact : Lee, Sohyun ( sohyun.c.lee@kaist.ac.kr )

News

KCB ISSUE