The Global Innovation Center (GIC) held the Environment and Energy Global Innovation Forum on April 22 at the National Assembly Library auditorium, moving beyond policy-driven climate discourse to present concrete action strategies combining technology and education.

Practical carbon neutrality model unveiled; Asia ESG Innovation Forum launched; singer Kim Da-hyun named promotional ambassador

Participants pose for a group photo at the Environment and Energy Global Innovation Forum, held April 22 at the National Assembly Library auditorium in Seoul. [Global Innovation Center (GIC)]
Participants pose for a group photo at the Environment and Energy Global Innovation Forum, held April 22 at the National Assembly Library auditorium in Seoul. [Global Innovation Center (GIC)]

Moving beyond policy-driven discourse on climate change and carbon neutrality, the forum brought together technology and education to chart concrete action strategies.

GIC unveiled specific climate response models centered on renewable energy expansion, carbon reduction technology and UN cooperation. Organized by GIC and its International Environment and Energy Division, the event was co-sponsored by Herald Media Group and the Global Carbon Foundation Preparatory Committee, and was recognized for charting a new direction in global cooperation.

The forum's central theme was a shift "from policy to action." During the innovation technology session, four companies — Ecobell, Gens, HydrogenCube and EcoMagic — presented world-class projects eligible for application under the UNFCCC's Sustainable Development Mechanism and Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes frameworks.

GIC also laid out a concrete talent development roadmap for long-term climate response. The center is working with GTCC University in the Philippines to cultivate global ESG professionals, and plans to produce specialists in climate change and carbon neutrality through its newly established GIC Academy.

To accelerate the spread of ESG industry practices, GIC appointed eight senior international ESG auditors — including Ko Gwang-cheol, Hwang Gyu-hong and Jeong Gi-cheon — as adjunct professors, building a system that combines corporate assessment and certification with next-generation talent education.

Singer Kim Da-hyun is appointed promotional ambassador for the GIC International Environment and Energy Division at the Environment and Energy Global Innovation Forum, held April 22 at the National Assembly Library auditorium in Seoul. [Global Innovation Center]
Singer Kim Da-hyun is appointed promotional ambassador for the GIC International Environment and Energy Division at the Environment and Energy Global Innovation Forum, held April 22 at the National Assembly Library auditorium in Seoul. [Global Innovation Center]

Yang Seon-a, co-president overseeing GIC's talent development programs, stressed the importance of education. "The core competency of the AI era is self-awareness and the ability to communicate," she said, adding that the next generation must go beyond acquiring knowledge to understand the meaning and responsibility of their lives, with building a sustainable educational legacy as a key goal.

Yu Gyeong-ui, vice president of GIC IHEE, then officially announced the launch of the SDGs and ESG Asia Innovation Forum. The platform is set to serve as Asia's largest action-oriented forum, covering carbon neutrality, resource circulation and green finance — spanning everything from policy proposals to joint project implementation.

The event also drew attention with the appointment of popular singer Kim Da-hyun as promotional ambassador for the GIC International Environment and Energy Division. Kim said she had "felt the importance of protecting the environment since growing up surrounded by nature" and pledged to "work hard for the planet."

Lee Yeong-cheol, chief director of the GIC International Environment and Energy Division, said the forum "holds great significance in that it presented an action-centered platform connecting technology, education, industry and international cooperation." He added that if the projects discussed are applied across global industries, they could become "a new game changer in the way we respond to the climate crisis."


pooh@heraldcorp.com