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Report that suggests the national future strategies based on the analysis of major future issues by the research team
[National Future Strategy Insight] Responses to the Effects of Climate Change and Suggestions – Focused on Quantitative Comparisons on National Research Policies, No. 7

Date : 2020-11-25 Writer : Kim Eun-ah

[National Future Strategy Insight] Responses to the Effects of Climate Change and Suggestions – Focused on Quantitative Comparisons on National Research Policies, No. 7


Kim Eun-a, an Associate Research Fellow of the National Assembly Futures Institute, identified Korea’s preparation for the future effects of climate change in terms of ① Research ② Administration policies, and ③ Legislative policies in her study on the establishment of response strategies to climate change for the future society, a major task of 2020.

After analyzing related literature and texts, she defined vulnerable areas as those that lack in quantity and identified such vulnerable areas as the following categories: the movements of different species, public health policies, stable energy supply, and transportation systems. With seminars on such topics with experts, she identified research topics and policy agendas that must be complemented to “increase the level of preparation for the future” in terms of the effects and consequences that stem from climate change.

In terms of the movements of different species and public health policies, she pointed out that climate change is considered relatively less important in relation to such policies. There should be basic research on the effects of the movements of species on urban residents and the indirect effects of climate change on health, and the results may be used for communicating with the public to bring about a change in awareness. The suggested policy agendas mostly used the top-down method that brings about change under the leadership of the government, including support policies and institutionalization.

In terms of stable energy supply and transportation systems, it was commonly pointed out that the current policies were focused on energy sources or electricity suppliers based on the current amount of demand for electricity or energy. She stated that there should be policies that are based on future predictions related to changes in lifestyle that result from social changes brought about by circumstances such as COVID-19, and that energy policies and urban planning should be implemented to complement one another. The suggested policy agenda should be formulated in such a way as to design an urban space that can reduce the demand for energy and increase energy efficiency, to modify the price of electricity and fuel needed to effectively use market mechanisms, and to set up various systems.

Dr. Kim stated that “climate change is a global megatrend that can affect the lives of the people in various ways and will continue on for many more years,” and mentioned that “there should be a well thought out preparation plan at the national level for the mid- to long-term effects on various areas of human life.”

※ “National Future Strategy Insight” is a brief-type in-depth research report issued every other week to present national future strategies for Korea based on the analysis of major future issues by the research fellows of National Assembly Futures Institute.