Climate change in South Korea - statistics & facts

Climate change is a global phenomenon, and South Korea has not been excluded from its effects. Certainly, the country's growth into an economic and industrial powerhouse contributed towards climate change. However, the growth of civil society and wider access to information due to the spread of the internet, personal computers, and smartphones, has resulted in greater interest and concern in climate change and environmental issues among the Korean public.

How do South Koreans perceive climate change?

According to a survey conducted in South Korea, most respondents agreed that climate change was caused by human activities and very few thought it was a natural process. Additionally, it was found that more people in their 60s and above found the current climate crisis to be either severe or very severe than respondents in their 20s and 30s. On top of this, more respondents found the climate and environmental crisis to be an individual responsibility rather than that of the government.

What is the environment like in South Korea?

Official statistics show that the amount of PM10 in the air in South Korea was  around 30 micrograms per cubic meter, which exceeds the annual mean of 20 micrograms for PM10 as specified by the World Health Organization (WHO).  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s standard for PM2.5 particles was 12 micrograms throughout the year; major cities in South Korea recorded means higher than this. As of 2018, the Korean standards were annual means of 50 micrograms for PM10 and 15 micrograms for PM2.5. PM2.5 are finer particulates in the air that are considered more dangerous than PM10 due to the possibility of them entering deeper into the lungs and potentially the bloodstream. However, the level of particulate matter from domestic sources is decreasing thanks to more advanced technologies being applied to factories and waste disposal facilities. 

Modes of public transportation in South Korea

The South Korean government has closed schools on days with high PM2.5 levels due to public health concerns and there have been discussions on placing limitations on passenger cars as well as providing free public transportation to limit emission levels. Most South Koreans in their 20s already mostly use the bus as a form of transportation. However, non-electric passenger cars were the most popular form of transportation for those in their 50s. Despite this, the average daily rental number of Seoul Bikes have risen significantly from 2015, but with that so have the number of bicycle-related accidents. Given these trends, the search for climate-friendly solutions may call for the construction of public transportation infrastructure that gear toward safer and more accessible bicycle and pedestrian lanes.

This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.

Greenhouse gas emissions in 2020: 656.2m tons CO2e

Annual average temperature: 13.3°C

Leading environmental concern: Air pollution

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Annual average temperature in South Korea from 1973 to 2021 (in degrees Celsius)

Geography & Nature

Annual average temperature in South Korea 1973-2021

Emissions

Annual greenhouse gas emissions volume South Korea 2009-2020

Annual air pollution level of particulate matter (PM10) in Seoul in South Korea from 2008 to 2020 (in micrograms per cubic meter)

Emissions

PM10 air pollution level Seoul South Korea 2008-2020

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Weather changes

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Greenhouse gases

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Fossil fuels

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Public transportation

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Public perception

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