South Korea’s Constitutional Court says the country’s law aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 is not conforming to the Constitution.
In 2021, the administration of then President Moon Jae-in compiled a plan that set a target for cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent compared with 2018 levels by 2030.
The law came into force the following year as a basis for the reduction plan.
The move prompted a civic group to file a lawsuit with the Constitutional Court. It argued that the government’s measures against climate change are insufficient and the law is unconstitutional.
On Thursday, the court ruled that the law, which lacks emission targets after 2031, violates people’s basic rights, and does not conform to the Constitution.
South Korean media have called the decision the first of its kind in Asia as the court said the government’s failure to implement sufficient measures against climate change would lead to the infringement of people’s rights.
The environment ministry said that it will respect the court ruling and sincerely address the matter.