Starting with the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development in 1992, the United Nations (UN) adopted Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to seek balanced and harmonious development between the economy, the environment, and society for humans, earth, prosperity, and peace, present directions for the international community, and implement action plans.

While Korea legislated the Framework Act on Sustainable Development in 2007, “sustainable development” was conceptualized under “green growth” with the legislation of the Framework Act on Low Carbon, Green Growth in 2010 and the Framework Act on Sustainable Development was amended into a general law while the National Sustainable Development Committee was moved from under the President to under the Ministry of Environment.

However, as the concept of green growth alone, which is focused only on environment and the economy, is not enough to meet global SDGs, it is required to prepare national future strategies and visions for a sustainable society by including inter-generational fairness so that not only the current generation but also the future generation can enjoy a better life.

In this regard, by integrating and deconstructing the Sustainable Development Act and the Framework Act on Low Carbon, Green Growth, this Act aims to seek cooperation and co-existence in economic, environmental, and social discourse from the past governments, apply the UN’s concept of a “transitional” means to achieve SDGs, set “sustainable society” as the country’s future-oriented vision and objective, use  “green transition” as the driving force, deliver global SDGs, and contribute to preparing a better environment for the future generation.

Details

A. Seek inter-generational fairness based on the harmonization of the economy, the environment, and society, implement a carbon neutral and sustainable society based on green transition so that not only the current but also future generations can enjoy a better life, fulfill responsibilities as a member of the international community, and contribute to developing as a future-oriented country (Article 1).

B. Require the government to establish the National Green Transition Basic Strategy for Sustainable Development on a 20-year basis to implement sustainable society and the head of the local government to establish and implement the Local Green Transition Basic Strategy for Sustainable Development on a 20-year basis to implement sustainable society within its jurisdiction in line with the National Basic Strategy (Articles 8 and 9).

C. Require the central and local governments to reflect the principles of sustainable development and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations (UN) and develop and distribute sustainable development indicators for the central and local governments (Article 16).

D. Put in place the National Green Transition Committee for Sustainable Development under the President to review major policies to efficiently push for sustainable development and green transition and the Local Green Transition Committee for Sustainable Development under the head of the local government to efficiently pursue local sustainable development and green transition. Nevertheless, allow Si/Gun/Gu (only autonomus Gu) to have the Local Green Transition Committee for Sustainable Development in accordance with local circumstances (Articles 18 and 21).

E. Require the central and local governments to phase out the use of fossil fuels, promote green technologies and industries to enhance national competitiveness, and implement an economy that seeks sustainable development (Article 24).

F. Require the central and local governments to support and promote sustainable management among companies (Article 26).

G. Require the central and local governments to manage sustainable land, engage in sustainable water management, establish green transportation systems, expand green buildings, promote eco-friendly and organic agriculture, forestry, and fishery, encourage sustainable tourism, facilitate movements for sustainable development and green transition in daily life, and provide related training and public relations in an effort to implement a sustainable society (Articles 38 through 50).

H. Require the central and local governments, the National Committee, and the Local Committee to closely cooperate for sustainable development and green transition (Article 51).

I. Require the central and local governments to share the values and outlooks of sustainable development and prepare a platform to gather feedback for sustainable development and green transition from various stakeholders in society while pursuing SDGs so that they can proactively and actively participate and enhance various policy competencies (Article 52).

J. Require the government to immediately report to the National Assembly if it establishes or changes the National Basic Strategy (Article 55).

Notes

This Amendment rests on the premise that the Framework Act on Climate Change Response (Bill no. 6733), represented and proposed by National Assembly member Yu Eui-dong, and the Partial Amendment to the Energy Act (Bill no. 6726), represented and proposed by National Assembly member Lim Jong-seong, are passed. If the bills are not passed or are passed with modification, this Act must be adjusted accordingly.

A. Seek inter-generational fairness based on the harmonization of the economy, the environment, and society, implement a carbon neutral and sustainable society based on green transition so that not only the current but also future generations can enjoy a better life, fulfill responsibilities as a member of the international community, and contribute to developing as a future-oriented country (Article 1).

B. Require the government to establish the National Green Transition Basic Strategy for Sustainable Development on a 20-year basis to implement sustainable society and the head of the local government to establish and implement the Local Green Transition Basic Strategy for Sustainable Development on a 20-year basis to implement sustainable society within its jurisdiction in line with the National Basic Strategy (Articles 8 and 9).

C. Require the central and local governments to reflect the principles of sustainable development and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations (UN) and develop and distribute sustainable development indicators for the central and local governments (Article 16).

D. Put in place the National Green Transition Committee for Sustainable Development under the President to review major policies to efficiently push for sustainable development and green transition and the Local Green Transition Committee for Sustainable Development under the head of the local government to efficiently pursue local sustainable development and green transition. Nevertheless, allow Si/Gun/Gu (only autonomus Gu) to have the Local Green Transition Committee for Sustainable Development in accordance with local circumstances (Articles 18 and 21).

E. Require the central and local governments to phase out the use of fossil fuels, promote green technologies and industries to enhance national competitiveness, and implement an economy that seeks sustainable development (Article 24).

F. Require the central and local governments to support and promote sustainable management among companies (Article 26).

G. Require the central and local governments to manage sustainable land, engage in sustainable water management, establish green transportation systems, expand green buildings, promote eco-friendly and organic agriculture, forestry, and fishery, encourage sustainable tourism, facilitate movements for sustainable development and green transition in daily life, and provide related training and public relations in an effort to implement a sustainable society (Articles 38 through 50).

H. Require the central and local governments, the National Committee, and the Local Committee to closely cooperate for sustainable development and green transition (Article 51).

I. Require the central and local governments to share the values and outlooks of sustainable development and prepare a platform to gather feedback for sustainable development and green transition from various stakeholders in society while pursuing SDGs so that they can proactively and actively participate and enhance various policy competencies (Article 52).

J. Require the government to immediately report to the National Assembly if it establishes or changes the National Basic Strategy (Article 55).