[NewsSpace=JeongYoung Kim]  ”To achieve substantial results, disruptive innovation is necessary," said Choi Tae-won, Chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) and Chairman of SK Group.

Following the opening ceremony of the World Carbon Expo (WCE) in Busan on the 25th, the FKI held a Business Leaders Roundtable (BLT) under the theme of "The Role of Companies for a Sustainable Future." Leading domestic companies such as Samsung, SK, Hyundai-Kia, LG, POSCO, HD Hyundai, and Kakao Mobility, as well as global carbon-neutral leading companies such as Google, ExxonMobil (USA), RWE, Volkswagen (Germany), Equinor (Norway), and Ørsted (Denmark), gathered together to discuss the role of companies in achieving carbon neutrality and to establish collaboration plans. 

Chairman Choi emphasized, "Even in crises, we can find opportunities," and he stated, "According to a McKinsey report, it is estimated that a carbon market worth 9,000 trillion won will open by 2030. If we seize this market, the climate benefits can surpass the investment costs, meaning that the golden cross resulting from carbon neutrality can be achieved sooner."

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stated in his congratulatory speech, "In a situation where environmental regulations and trade barriers are increasing, carbon neutrality has become an essential task for survival, not a choice." He further mentioned that the government plans to utilize all available policy means to support companies in practicing carbon neutrality and growing through the climate industry. He added, "Over the past year, the government has pursued the normalization of distorted energy policies based on market principles, including the restoration of the nuclear ecosystem."

Prime Minister Han and Chairman Choi, as well as Kim Sang-hyup, Co-Chair of the 2050 Carbon Neutral Green Growth Commission, and Han Hwa-jin, Minister of Environment for Hanwha, participated from the Korean side. From foreign governments, officials at the ministerial level from Uzbekistan, Ghana, Laos, and others participated. In addition, mayors from cities such as Busan, New Orleans (USA), and Auckland (New Zealand) were present, sharing their climate change response policies and situations.

Yolyn Ng, Google's Vice President of Business Development for Asia-Pacific, stated in her presentation, "Google achieved carbon neutrality in 2017 and became the first company in the world to use 100% renewable energy. Since 2020, we have issued green bonds amounting to $5.6 billion and have been developing carbon reduction products, technologies, and services." She emphasized that Google considers sustainable business operations as a core value and will prioritize sustainability in corporate operations, as well as support carbon solutions for business partners and enable consumers to choose better carbon reduction products, technologies, and services.

Jens Ortfeldt, CEO for Asia-Pacific at RWE, one of Germany's largest energy companies, introduced the company's efforts, saying, "RWE, which has been engaged in fossil fuel power generation for 125 years, is now leading the energy transition to renewable energy. We are closing additional coal-fired power plants to achieve emission reduction goals, expanding green energy production, and making various efforts to reduce indirect emissions through the supply chain."

Kim Hak-dong, Vice Chairman of POSCO, Ingun Svegarden, Senior Vice President for Asia-Pacific at Equinor, and Lee Koo-young, CEO of Hanwha Q CELLS, also shared their company cases during the event.