Building the legal backbone for net-zero cities: Insights from COP29’s Korea Pavilion
This piece was written by Matteo Bizzotto, Sr. Officer, Global Communications at ICLEI World Secretariat and Seulji Jeon, Program Officer, Climate & Energy at ICLEI Korea.
At COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the Korea Pavilion brought to light an essential but often underexplored aspect of the global climate agenda: The legal frameworks needed for cities to achieve net-zero emissions. Co-hosted by the Korea Legislation Research Institute (KLRI) and ICLEI Korea Office, the session on 15 November 2024, titled “Legal Challenges for Cities to Go Net Zero,” gathered policymakers, mayors, and climate advocates to discuss the legal and collaborative pathways necessary for carbon neutrality.
In his opening remarks, Yeong-Soo Han, President of KLRI, emphasized the critical role of local governments in addressing the climate crisis. “Local governments must take into account the needs and characteristics of their communities when implementing climate policies,” he said, calling for stronger cooperation between national and local governments to establish robust legal foundations.
Yunus Arikan, Director of Global Advocacy at ICLEI, underscored the potential of platforms like Town Hall COPs and the Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP) to empower local and subnational governments globally. “The climate agenda must not just be a policy agenda but a life agenda for all members of society,” he said, urging Korean cities to enhance their contributions to the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Residents’ engagement is key to policy success
Citizen participation was a recurring theme throughout the session. Joško Klisovic, President of the Assembly of Zagreb, Croatia, noted how public buy-in is key to the success of climate policies: “It is crucial to demonstrate the benefits they will receive from the policy and ensure that their quality of life improves.” He also stressed that a balance between social, economic, and environmental considerations is essential for long-term success.
Mayor Seung-Won Park of Gwangmyeong, Republic of Korea, shared practical examples of citizen-led initiatives that have taken root in his city. Since 2018, Gwangmyeong has established dedicated departments, such as the Climate and Energy Department, and collaborated with organizations like the Environmental Education Center to implement community-based climate solutions. “From creating community gardens to training citizen carbon-neutral activists, we’re involving our residents at every step,” Park explained. His vision for a “donut city,” a community with zero waste and self-sustaining systems, showcases how innovative governance can integrate residents into the heart of climate action.
Legal frameworks in practice
The importance of a well-structured legal system was echoed by Klisovic, who drew from the European Green Deal as an example of aligning multiple sectors under one comprehensive framework. While Europe has made strides in establishing laws for transportation, health, and energy, challenges remain. “The key is to reconcile conflicting initiatives within one legal framework to implement them properly,” he said, advocating for a bottom-up approach where local governments play an active role in proposing solutions to the national level.
Eun-Hye Jang from KLRI further emphasized that urban sustainability and carbon neutrality must be interconnected, with local characteristics driving policy implementation. Legislation, she noted, is essential for continuity and standard-setting, ensuring that ambitious climate goals are not lost in political transitions.
Resilience and economic security in U.S. cities
Mayor Hollies Winston of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, brought a unique perspective from the United States. As part of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative (MRCTI), Brooklyn Park focuses on addressing environmental challenges like flooding and droughts, which pose significant economic risks. “City-level action is not just about solving global environmental problems—it’s also about protecting our citizens’ economic security,” Winston stated. By leveraging local expertise and financial resources, MRCTI creates a model for resilience that integrates environmental and economic goals.
The session concluded with a very participated Q&A on fostering collaboration across governance levels. Speakers reiterated that the road to carbon neutrality requires more than just technological innovation; it demands legal systems that empower cities, engage citizens, and ensure resources are equitably distributed. The unique insights shared by mayors, legal experts, and advocates underscored the transformative potential of well-crafted policies supported by inclusive governance. The message from the Korea Pavilion was clear: The future of climate action lies in the hands of empowered local and subnational governments, as well as engaged residents.
