South Korean businesses and environmental activists have both protested the government's 2035 emission reduction targets for widely different reasons. 

Industry circles were rattled after the government floated two 2035 nationally determined contribution(NDC) proposals: one to cut emissions by 50 to 60 percent from 2018 levels, and another targeting 53 to 60 percent.

Businesses in manufacturing, semiconductors, automobiles, petrochemicals, steel, and cement were particularly alarmed by the proposals’ lower limits, which exceed the industry-preferred 48 percent cut.

Businesses are concerned that lower emissions caps will burden them with higher costs for facility investments and the purchase of emission rights, which, in turn, could eat into employment and industrial competitiveness.  

Meanwhile, environmental organizations and civic groups strongly denounced the government’s proposals, saying the targets are not enough.  

Environmental think tank Solutions for Our Climate said in a statement that the government appears to be aiming for the lower end of its proposed range of 50 to 60 percent 2035 NDC range, which will fall short of leading economies, which are targeting cuts larger than 60 percent.