On June 21, 2022 in Melbourne, a panel of experts facilitated by The Asia Society discussed the new possibilities for economic engagement with South Korea particularly relative to resources and energy.
Australia-Korea Business Council Executive Director Liz Griffin moderated the discussion. Participants include:
- Elizabeth Thurbon, Asia Society Australia-Korea fellow and Scientia associate professor of international political economy at UNSW Sydney;
- James Choi, managing director of J2 Advisory;
- John Hirjee, head of research and analysis Resources, Energy & Infrastructure at ANZ; and
- Dr. Fiona Simon chief executive officer of the Australia Hydrogen Council.
In 2021, President Moon Jae-In announced an ambitious climate and energy agenda which he dubbed as Korea’s ‘Green New Deal’. Involving a US$144 billion investment Moon outlined a whole of government approach to achieving net-zero by 2050. And despite a recent change in government Korea has undoubtedly chosen to embark on a substantial transformation of its economy which has been historically dominated by coal and ‘brown energies’.
The Australian Government has also pledged to achieve Net-Zero by 2050 and has a lot to gain from collaborating with Korea whose green policies have been driven not only by government planning but by extensive public-private cooperation using market forces to fast-track its goals.
How do we harness the current decarbonisation agenda to work toward this new green future?
