중국의 CCUS 법제 현황과 개선과제

Abstract

Carbon dioxide Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) technology is becoming increasingly important as it is an effective means of achieving greenhouse gas reduction targets in the industry. At the 75th United Nations General Assembly in September 2020, China announced that it would reduce carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, using CCUS technology as one of the means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. At present, China has accelerated the storage and utilization of carbon dioxide on a large scale by strengthening its technology independent research and development capabilities and increasing investment in CCUS technology. However, the capture, transport and storage of carbon dioxide in the process of utilization may pose a risk to the environment due to a large number of leaks, and the laws should be enacted to regulate them. The major developed countries such as Germany, the U.K., Australia, the U.S.A, and Japan have begun to enact legal systems related to CCUS technology development and safety management. In February 2024, Korea also enacted the Carbon Dioxide Capture, Transport, Storage, and Utilization Law and it will come into effect on February 7, 2025. On the other hand, China has yet to enact legislation on the response to climate change and CCUS specific laws, adopting a passive legislative model, adopting the application of existing laws and regulations such as environmental protection, marine environmental protection, air pollution and soil pollution. From a long-term perspective, it is necessary to move away from existing mode and enact a CCUS special legislation to effectively promote the development and application of CCUS technologies. Therefore, this study will focus on introducing the CCUS technology research, industrialization policy, technological development level, CCUS legal system and specific regulations in China. And this study will do further research on legal issues and improvement suggestions related to CCUS technology. This study focuses on key legal issues related to CCUS technology research and industrialization, compares and analyzes the legal systems of China and Korea, and identifies their similarities and differences. It then proposes the significance of mutual reference between different systems.