<h1>Korea’s 2035 Climate Goal: Why Social Economy and Social Innovation Matter</h1>

 On November 11, 2025, the Korean government officially announced its plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 53–61% compared to 2018 levels by 2035.

This is not just another environmental policy—it signals a comprehensive transformation of Korea’s industrial, energy, and social structures.

 

However, such a massive transition cannot be achieved through government policy alone.

That’s why the role of the social economy and social innovation is becoming increasingly important.

 

Why Social Economy and Social Innovation Are Connected

 

Responding to the climate crisis requires more than technological innovation—such as improving power generation efficiency or industrial processes.

It cannot be solved by the actions of a few companies alone.

We need changes in consumption and lifestyle, active participation from local communities, and new, inclusive economic models.

 

In this context, social economy organizations—such as cooperatives, social enterprises, community businesses, self-support enterprises, and social ventures—can play the role of living laboratories for sustainable transition.

 

These organizations are community-based, participatory, and value-driven, making them well-suited to bridge the gap between national climate policy and local implementation.

They can act as practical intermediaries that help turn policy goals into real social change.

 

What the 2035 Target Means: A Window for New Opportunities

 

Reducing emissions by 53–61% compared to 2018 is not just about numbers.

It demands fundamental changes across industries, energy systems, and daily life.

 

This transformation opens up new opportunities, such as:

 

👉Energy cooperatives led by local residents

👉Upcycling social enterprises that combine environmental and economic value

👉Green care models providing eco-friendly jobs and care services for climate-vulnerable groups

👉Circular economy platforms driven by citizen participation

 

Unlike traditional, large-scale corporate approaches, these fields allow local and community-based organizations to act more flexibly and creatively.

That’s why the social economy and social innovation can become key partners in implementing climate policy.

 

The Role of Social Innovation: Bringing Policy to Life

 

Government targets are statements of intent.

But for real change to take root in everyday life, social innovation must bridge the gap between policy and people.

Social innovators, civic groups, and local organizations can contribute through:

 

👉Designing citizen-led climate projects

👉Developing community-based energy transition plans

👉Building data-driven carbon monitoring platforms

👉Leading climate education and lifestyle change campaigns

 

Many of these small experiments are already taking place across Korea.

Yet for climate policy to truly reach people’s daily lives, we need more, and more diverse, efforts.

 

The Fairness of Transition: Another Core Role of the Social Economy

 

Carbon reduction inevitably brings changes to industries, jobs, and local economies—and not everyone benefits equally.

That’s why ensuring a “Just Transition” is a critical challenge.

 

Social economy organizations address this issue by:

 

👉Redesigning social services for energy-vulnerable groups and communities

👉Creating local, participatory job models that share the costs and benefits of transition

👉Ensuring that both the speed and fairness of carbon reduction are balanced

 

Through these approaches, they make the climate transition not only faster, but fairer.

 

Conclusion

 

Korea’s 2035 emission reduction target is ambitious and challenging.

It will only become reality when the social economy and social innovation work hand in hand.

 

This is not just a technological revolution—it’s a transformation led by people and communities.

 

💓 If Korea’s 2035 climate goal is a national promise, then social economy and social innovation are the ways that promise will come true.