South Korea: environment
13 answers, 6 from South Korea's own official bodies, with a link to each figure.
How much greenhouse gas does South Korea emit?
South Korea emitted 685.71 million tonnes of greenhouse gases in 2025, 0.9% less than in 2024, according to a preliminary estimate in a Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment release of 20 September 2026. Emissions were 11.4% below 2018.
Industry emitted 242.93 million tonnes, down 2.1%, and power generation 220.43 million tonnes, up 0.2%. Net emissions, after subtracting forests and land, rose 0.5% to 654.70 million tonnes, partly because of the March 2025 wildfires in North Gyeongsang. The ministry says a further 149 million tonnes must be cut to meet the 2030 target.
What is South Korea's climate target?
South Korea aims to cut net greenhouse gas emissions by 53% to 61% from 2018 levels by 2035, under the national target approved by the cabinet on 11 November 2025, according to the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. The 2018 baseline is 742.30 million tonnes.
The target, called a nationally determined contribution, is submitted to the UN under the Paris Agreement every five years. The ministry lists renewable power, low-carbon industrial processes, zero-energy buildings and electric and hydrogen vehicles as the main measures.
How much of South Korea's electricity is low-carbon?
Nuclear and renewable sources produced 40.8% of South Korea's electricity in 2025, up from 29% in 2018, according to the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment's 2025 emissions release. Coal's share fell from 41.9% to 28.7% over the same period.
Renewable generation rose 8.5% in 2025, while nuclear output fell 2.2% because reactors spent more days under maintenance. As a result, power sector emissions rose 0.2% even though total generation was almost unchanged. Power sector emissions were 21.5% lower than in 2018.
How polluted is South Korea's air?
South Koreans were exposed to an average of 21.9 micrograms of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) per cubic metre in 2023, according to the World Bank's PM2.5 exposure indicator, down from 23.4 in 2022.
The WHO guideline for annual exposure is 5 micrograms. In the Ministry of Data and Statistics' 2024 Social Survey, 67.4% of people aged 13 and over said they worried about fine dust, more than any other environmental issue. The World Bank figure is a population-weighted estimate, so it differs from readings at individual monitoring stations.
How much of South Korea is forest?
Forests covered 64.4% of South Korea's land area in 2024, according to the World Bank's forest area indicator, slightly below 64.5% in 2022.
The data come from the FAO's Global Forest Resources Assessment, which counts land of more than half a hectare with trees above 5 metres. Forests also absorb carbon, which is why South Korea's net emissions are lower than its total emissions. Wildfires release carbon: the March 2025 fires added 8.3 million tonnes of emissions, according to the environment ministry.
What environmental issues worry South Koreans?
Fine dust worried 67.4% of South Koreans aged 13 and over in 2024, followed by climate change at 53.2%, radiation at 47.5% and toxic substances at 41.9%, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics' 2024 Social Survey.
50.2% said they would pay environmental fees and taxes, compared with 36.8% in 2014. 93.6% said they separated recyclable waste and 86.3% tried to reduce food waste. 49.4% thought their living environment was good. The survey asks about environment every two years.
International comparisons
The figures below use one definition for every country, so they can differ from national figures.
What is South Korea's carbon footprint per person?
According to the European Commission's EDGAR database, carbon dioxide emissions per person in South Korea was 11.4 tonnes in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2018, at 13.2 tonnes; its low point was 2005, at 10.7 tonnes. It is 4th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 2.1 tonnes. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 15th highest.
How much greenhouse gas does South Korea emit?
The European Commission's EDGAR database puts total greenhouse gas emissions in South Korea at 668 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024. The peak was 755 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2018 and the low 575 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2005. It is 4th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 45.7 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Worldwide: 13th of 186.
How polluted is the air in South Korea?
According to the Global Burden of Disease study, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in South Korea was 21.9 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023. The peak was 26.2 micrograms per cubic metre in 2014 and the low 20.7 micrograms per cubic metre in 2005. It is 8th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 11.7 micrograms per cubic metre. Worldwide: 72nd of 192.
How much of South Korea's land is protected?
In 2025, the share of land in protected areas in South Korea was 17.7%, according to the UN Environment Programme. That is the highest since at least 2013. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 15.8%, and South Korea placed 12th highest of 30. Worldwide: 96th of 192.
What is water stress in South Korea?
According to the FAO, water stress in South Korea was 85.2% in 2022. The figure has been the same every year since 2005. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 13.1%, and South Korea placed 1st highest of 20. World rank, highest first: 20th of 175.
Official bodies in South Korea
- Ministry of Data and Statistics (formerly Statistics Korea)
- Ministry of Climate, Energy and EnvironmentSets climate, energy and environment policy; its Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Research Center compiles national emissions.
More about South Korea
- Economy
- Jobs and pay
- Cost of living
- Public finances
- Health and care
- Housing
- Crime and justice
- Immigration
- Education
Read on 14 October 2026. Definitions · Report an error