SEOUL, REPUBLIC OF KOREA, NOVEMBER 27, 2024- Four of South Korea’s premier universities have announced a landmark joint Sustainable Campus Initiative outlining their shared commitments to building eco-friendly campuses and advancing sustainability leadership in the Korean tertiary education sector.

During a joint declaration ceremony hosted at Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) headquarters in Seoul on November 27, 2024, the presidents of Korea University, Seoul National University, Yonsei University, and Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) gathered to set key shared goals for creating green, carbon-neutral, and paperless campuses.

GGGI Incoming Director-General Sang Hyup Kim welcomed the announcement from the four universities, represented by Korea University President Dong-One Kim, SNU President Hong Lim RYU, Yonsei University President Dong-Sup Yoon, and POSTECH President Seong Keun Kim. 

“Global Green Growth Institute would be honored to support the universities in Korea to actively serve as a huge base for sustainability, create green technology, and foster green talent, starting with these four universities,” Mr. Kim told the media during the official declaration ceremony.

“We strongly believe that more and more universities will also play an important role in the green transition.”

The declaration lays the groundwork for the four participant universities to reduce carbon emissions, recycle resources, digitize administrative tasks, and establish green infrastructure in a bid to establish the environmental and social responsibilities of universities around the world. 

The initiative also outlines plans to actively use renewable energy and establish specific and practical carbon reduction plans intended to lead the domestic university sector response to the climate crisis. 

GGGI Acting Director-General Helena McLeod also shared the organization’s willingness to support the endeavor as a partner and friend.

“The commitment of Korea’s premier universities to collectively embark on the path of sustainability is both timely and inspiring,” Ms. McLeod said.

“Universities around the world are at the forefront of fighting the climate crisis with research, and education preparing young leaders in so many crucial sectors. GGGI are especially honored to have been chosen as the venue for this announcement symbolizing the alignment of the four universities’ vision with GGGI’s mission to promote climate action and sustainable development.”

The collaborative inter-university agenda will also aim to expand sustainability-related education and research programs, as well as strengthening capabilities via the sharing of knowledge and resources and deepened ties with local and national communities.

The move is expected to pave the way for the mainstreaming of eco-friendly policies within the Korean university sector. 

RELEVANT PERSONS

·       Korea University President –Dong-One Kim

·       Seoul National University President – Hong Lim RYU

·       Yonsei University President – Dong-Sup Yoon

·       POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology) President – Seong Keun Kim

·       GGGI Acting Director-General – Helena McLeod

·       GGGI Incoming Director-General – Sang Hyup Kim

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For more information, visit:  https://gggi.org

(GGGI Seoul HQ)
Mona Laczo, Communications & Knowledge Sharing Unit Head
+82 10 9530 0358
mona.laczo@gggi.org