To: Reporters of Social Affairs / Environment / Political Affairs
From: Energy Transition Forum (ETF)
Release Date: January 21, 2026 (Wed)
“Practical Training on ‘Climate Pledges’ for the 2026 Local Elections…
Energy Transition Forum to Host Free Seminar for Prospective Candidates and Campaign Staff”
- Co-hosted by Seoul National University Environmental Planning Institute, February 3–9 (One Week), Online & Offline
- Korea’s Leading Climate and Energy Experts to Provide Intensive Coaching on Practical Policy Roadmaps
- Open to Incumbent Officials, Prospective Candidates, Policy Aides, and Citizens Interested in Climate Policy
The Energy Transition Forum (Co-Chair: Soonjin Yoon) announced on January 21 that it will co-host the “2026 Local Elections Climate & Energy Practical Pledge Development Seminar” with the Environmental Planning Institute at Seoul National University from Tuesday, February 3 to Monday, February 9.
The seminar is designed to support prospective candidates for metropolitan and local councils, as well as campaign staff, in developing effective and locally tailored climate and energy pledges ahead of the 9th Nationwide Simultaneous Local Elections scheduled for June 3, 2026.
The program will be held offline at Seoul National University, with simultaneous online participation available via Zoom.
Practical, Theme-Based Curriculum “Designing Pledges That Can Be Implemented Immediately After Election”
Going beyond theoretical lectures, the curriculum focuses on designing practical pledges that can be implemented immediately after taking office. Sessions will run from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM and consist of four core themes:
▲ Session 1 (Feb 3, Tue) – “Foundational Strategy: Climate & Energy Policy as the New Battleground in Local Elections”
Professor Soonjin Yoon (Graduate School of Environmental Studies, SNU) will present new policy directions and value creation opportunities for local governments in responding to the climate crisis and advancing energy transition.
Byung-hwa Han, Executive Director at Eugene Investment & Securities, will discuss global energy transition market trends and strategies to translate them into regional opportunities.
▲ Session 2 (Feb 5, Thu) – “Regional Solutions: Creating Local Income and Vitality Through Energy Independence”
Wangjae Lee, Financial Policy Advisor to Jeju Special Self-Governing Province (former Vice President of the Institute for Fiscal Studies), will introduce Jeju’s “Sunlight & Wind Dividend” initiative.
Jong-gyu Kim, CEO of SixtyHertz, will share strategies for regional energy independence and growth through distributed energy systems.
▲ Session 3 (Feb 6, Fri) – “Rural & Fisheries Strategy: Renewable Energy, Regional Coexistence, and New Income Models for Rural Communities”
Jae-woo Nam, Secretary General of the Korea Agrivoltaics Association, will present strategies for introducing agrivoltaics that protect agriculture while increasing farm income.
Yeon-kyung Jung, Director of the Sustainable Development Institute, will discuss community-led “Solar Income Village” models.
▲ Session 4 (Feb 9, Mon) – “Conflict Management and Regional Coexistence: Regional Revitalization and Social Consensus through Wind Power”
Jin Wi, Advisor at GS Wind Power and Director of the Energy Transition Forum, will introduce regional revitalization and benefit-sharing models through wind power projects.
Gong-jang Cho, Senior Research Fellow at the Korea Environment Institute, will outline the role of local governments in managing conflicts arising during the energy transition process.
“The Era of Climate Voters: Policy Determines the Vote”
Soonjin Yoon, Co-Chair of the Energy Transition Forum, stated:
“Through recent general and local elections, the political influence of climate-conscious voters has grown significantly. In this local election, climate and energy policies must go beyond slogans and present concrete, executable measures that improve residents’ quality of life and income in order to gain voter support.”
She added, “Co-hosted with the Environmental Planning Institute at Seoul National University, this seminar combines academic depth with practical field experience. It is open not only to candidates and campaign staff but also to any citizen interested in climate and energy policy who wishes to help design the future of their region.”
Registration & Inquiries
Participation is free of charge and open to prospective candidates for the 2026 local elections, campaign staff, incumbent local officials, policy aides, and citizens interested in climate and energy policy.
Registration is available through the official Energy Transition Forum website (www.energytransitionkorea.org) or via the QR code on the event poster.
For further inquiries:
Energy Transition Forum Policy Team
Tel: +82-2-2637-1418
Email: policy@energytransitionkorea.org
───────────────────────────────────────
Inquiry: +82-2-2637-1418 / policy@energytransitionkorea.org
Hosted by: Energy Transition Forum, Environmental Planning Institute at Seoul National University
Public Relations Contact: Jina Park (+82-10-7244-1717)
From: Energy Transition Forum (ETF)
Release Date: January 21, 2026 (Wed)
Energy Transition Forum to Host Free Seminar for Prospective Candidates and Campaign Staff”
- Co-hosted by Seoul National University Environmental Planning Institute, February 3–9 (One Week), Online & Offline
- Korea’s Leading Climate and Energy Experts to Provide Intensive Coaching on Practical Policy Roadmaps
- Open to Incumbent Officials, Prospective Candidates, Policy Aides, and Citizens Interested in Climate Policy
The Energy Transition Forum (Co-Chair: Soonjin Yoon) announced on January 21 that it will co-host the “2026 Local Elections Climate & Energy Practical Pledge Development Seminar” with the Environmental Planning Institute at Seoul National University from Tuesday, February 3 to Monday, February 9.
The seminar is designed to support prospective candidates for metropolitan and local councils, as well as campaign staff, in developing effective and locally tailored climate and energy pledges ahead of the 9th Nationwide Simultaneous Local Elections scheduled for June 3, 2026.
The program will be held offline at Seoul National University, with simultaneous online participation available via Zoom.
Practical, Theme-Based Curriculum “Designing Pledges That Can Be Implemented Immediately After Election”
Going beyond theoretical lectures, the curriculum focuses on designing practical pledges that can be implemented immediately after taking office. Sessions will run from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM and consist of four core themes:
▲ Session 1 (Feb 3, Tue) – “Foundational Strategy: Climate & Energy Policy as the New Battleground in Local Elections”
Professor Soonjin Yoon (Graduate School of Environmental Studies, SNU) will present new policy directions and value creation opportunities for local governments in responding to the climate crisis and advancing energy transition.
Byung-hwa Han, Executive Director at Eugene Investment & Securities, will discuss global energy transition market trends and strategies to translate them into regional opportunities.
▲ Session 2 (Feb 5, Thu) – “Regional Solutions: Creating Local Income and Vitality Through Energy Independence”
Wangjae Lee, Financial Policy Advisor to Jeju Special Self-Governing Province (former Vice President of the Institute for Fiscal Studies), will introduce Jeju’s “Sunlight & Wind Dividend” initiative.
Jong-gyu Kim, CEO of SixtyHertz, will share strategies for regional energy independence and growth through distributed energy systems.
▲ Session 3 (Feb 6, Fri) – “Rural & Fisheries Strategy: Renewable Energy, Regional Coexistence, and New Income Models for Rural Communities”
Jae-woo Nam, Secretary General of the Korea Agrivoltaics Association, will present strategies for introducing agrivoltaics that protect agriculture while increasing farm income.
Yeon-kyung Jung, Director of the Sustainable Development Institute, will discuss community-led “Solar Income Village” models.
▲ Session 4 (Feb 9, Mon) – “Conflict Management and Regional Coexistence: Regional Revitalization and Social Consensus through Wind Power”
Jin Wi, Advisor at GS Wind Power and Director of the Energy Transition Forum, will introduce regional revitalization and benefit-sharing models through wind power projects.
Gong-jang Cho, Senior Research Fellow at the Korea Environment Institute, will outline the role of local governments in managing conflicts arising during the energy transition process.
“The Era of Climate Voters: Policy Determines the Vote”
Soonjin Yoon, Co-Chair of the Energy Transition Forum, stated:
“Through recent general and local elections, the political influence of climate-conscious voters has grown significantly. In this local election, climate and energy policies must go beyond slogans and present concrete, executable measures that improve residents’ quality of life and income in order to gain voter support.”
She added, “Co-hosted with the Environmental Planning Institute at Seoul National University, this seminar combines academic depth with practical field experience. It is open not only to candidates and campaign staff but also to any citizen interested in climate and energy policy who wishes to help design the future of their region.”
Registration & Inquiries
Participation is free of charge and open to prospective candidates for the 2026 local elections, campaign staff, incumbent local officials, policy aides, and citizens interested in climate and energy policy.
Registration is available through the official Energy Transition Forum website (www.energytransitionkorea.org) or via the QR code on the event poster.
For further inquiries:
Energy Transition Forum Policy Team
Tel: +82-2-2637-1418
Email: policy@energytransitionkorea.org
───────────────────────────────────────
Inquiry: +82-2-2637-1418 / policy@energytransitionkorea.org
Hosted by: Energy Transition Forum, Environmental Planning Institute at Seoul National University
Public Relations Contact: Jina Park (+82-10-7244-1717)