기후변화, 생태위기와 에너지문제: 한국 에너지 산업의 정책 현황과 쟁점

Abstract

His article looks into Korea’s present energy situation as well as some problems Korea’s energy industry face. It goes on to raise three issues arising from our efforts to overcome climate change and the environmental crisis. The first issue is about the ownership and governance structure of the energy industry, and establishing a sustainable energy policy. Awareness of problems brought by privatization has led to highlighting of the importance of public ownership of utilities. However, this discussion has to develop to a discourse on alternative energy policy and an ownership and governance structure that allows for such alternative. Next is related to energy prices. Many argue that we need to raise prices in order to decrease consumption. However, we also need to consider fundamental energy rights, or the majority’s right to access energy. The last issue regards carbon trade and carbon tax. We need to be cautious about carbon trade in the sense that it can become a tool to avoid substantial carbon reduction while the carbon tax can increase financial burden borne by individuals.