Environment ministry says 2025 greenhouse gas emissions fell 0.9 percent

The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment said Monday that South Korea's provisional total greenhouse gas emissions for 2025 fell 0.9 percent from the previous year to 685.71 million tons. The decline was driven by reduced production in major emitting industries such as steel and petrochemicals, offsetting increases in the power and building sectors.

Net emissions rose 0.5 percent to 654.70 million tons because carbon absorption by forests and land decreased sharply. The ministry attributed this reversal to the Gyeongbuk wildfires in March 2025, which increased biomass combustion emissions by 8.3 million tons.

Industrial emissions fell 2.1 percent to 242.93 million tons, while transportation emissions dropped 2.9 percent to 94.59 million tons amid a surge in electric and hybrid vehicle registrations. Conversely, power sector emissions edged up 0.2 percent to 220.43 million tons as coal generation increased during extended nuclear maintenance periods, while building sector emissions rose 3.3 percent to 45 million tons due to higher heating demand.

Refrigerant emissions also climbed 3.9 percent to 36.28 million tons, driven by growth in the cold-chain industry and high temperatures, while agricultural and waste sectors saw reductions of 3.1 percent and 1.8 percent respectively.

To meet its 2030 national determined contribution target, the government estimates it must achieve an additional reduction of 149 million tons. Meeting the 2035 target will require cutting between 127 million and 182 million tons beyond current projections.

Choi Min-ji, head of the Greenhouse Gas Inventory & Research Center, said the foundation for accelerating decarbonization centered on renewable energy was laid last year. She added that the government plans to strengthen annual implementation checks while advancing a national strategy containing sector-specific goals for 2035.