At the UN Climate Summit COP30, the Republic of Korea (Korea) officially announced joining the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA) and its Nationally Determined Contribution by 2035 (2035NDC), and demonstrated to the world its commitment to phasing out coal.
Joining the PPCA
On November 17, 2025, the Korean government announced joining the PPCA and it became the second country, following Singapore, in Asia to join the PPCA. Korea currently operates the 7th largest coal fleet in the world. By joining the PPCA, it announced its commitment to stop building new unabated coal power plants. Out of 61 existing coal power plants, 40 coal power plants are confirmed to be phased out by 2040. The phase out date for the remaining 21 coal power plants will be determined based on economic and environmental feasibility after public discussion, and a specific plan is scheduled to be established next year.
Kim Sung-hwan, Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, said “The shift from coal to clean power is not only essential for the climate. It will also help both the Republic of Korea, and all other countries increase our energy security, boost the competitiveness of our businesses, and create thousands of jobs in the industries of the future.”
The PPCA is a coalition of national and subnational governments, businesses and organisations working to advance the transition from unabated coal power generation to clean energy. The PPCA launched at COP23 in Bonn, Germany in 2017, spearheaded by the UK and Canada. With Korea and Bahrain joining at COP30, currently 65 countries, 118 local subnational governments and global organizations are listed as its members.
New NDC announcement
Also at the COP30, Korea announced its 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). This new target is a plan to reduce the country’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the 53%-61% range from 2018 levels by 2035, and clearly demonstrates its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Its 2035NDC represents a significant upward revision from the previous NDC announced in 2021, which aimed to reduce GHG emissions by 40% compared to 2018 levels by 2030.
On November 11th, during a Cabinet meeting organized by President Lee Jae Myung, the Korean government finalized its 2035NDC to reduce GHG emissions by 53-61% compared to 2018 levels. At the public hearing held on November 6 prior to the cabinet meeting, two options were presented: “50% to 60% reduction” and “53% to 60% reduction.” However, the final agreement was reached with a stricter reduction rate.
Cancelling the bidding process – Ending support for ammonia co-firing and halting extending the lifespans of coal-fired power plants
On October 17, prior to this NDC discussion, the Korean government formally announced that it temporarily canceled the second round of the 2025 bidding for the Clean Hydrogen Portfolio Standard (CHPS), surprising power generation companies. As the long-term contract system, CHPS was introduced with the aim of promoting clean energy generation, including support for ammonia co-firing within its scope. It could make it possible to keep using 12 aged coal-fired power plants operating beyond 2040. However, the new administration of President Lee Jae Myung, who had pledged to accelerate the phase-out of fossil fuels, took office after the bidding began. The cancellation of the bidding process stemmed from questions raised that ammonia co-firing has limited emission reduction benefits and contradicts the administration’s plan to phase out coal-fired power by 2040. With ammonia co-firing excluded from the next round, power generation costs are expected to rise, and industry stakeholders are pointing out the need for a realistic pricing mechanism. The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment stated that it has no plan to immediately change the criteria of hydrogen under the clean hydrogen power generation bidding conditions or to exclude blue hydrogen (no plan to limit the scope to green hydrogen). It appears that the ministry is considering revising the bidding conditions, such as whether to temporarily allow co-firing until coal plants are closed or to exclude coal-ammonia co-firing, and then re-announcing the conditions within the year.
Korea’s exclusion of ammonia co-firing from its CHPS biddings, its NDC enhancement, and joining the PPCA around the COP30; all represent the most ambitious climate change measures the country has ever pledged. These commitments propel Korea toward true transition. Through this series of declarations, Korea is poised to establish a leading position in Asia’s energy transition. On the contrary, we must wonder how Japan will solidify its standing in Asia.
[Related information – Webinar on December 23]
Kiko Network hosted a webinar on December 23 titled “Behind South Korea’s Shift Toward“Coal Phase-Out”?-How Civil Society Pushed the Government to Enhance its NDC and Join the PPCA-.” This event covered the latest developments in South Korea. Against the backdrop of moves toward a definitive phase-out of coal-fired power in South Korea, it examined how civil society pushed the government toward this decision. Presentation materials are available on the event page for reference.