- Finalized the 2025 Action Plan for Climate and Environmental R&D Projects

The Ministry of Science and ICT (Minister: Yoo Sang-im, hereinafter “MSIT”) has announced the finalization of its 2025 Action Plan for Climate and Environmental R&D Projects. This plan includes an investment of KRW 86.2 billion to develop climate adaptation and mitigation technologies such as hydrogen, Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU), and AI-based climate forecasting technologies.

This implementation plan, which specifies detailed budgets and strategic directions for climate and environmental R&D as part of the "2025 Comprehensive Action Plan for R&D Projects" finalized on January 3, will initiate calls for proposals for new research projects starting at the end of January, marking the start of full-scale support.

In 2024, MSIT designated the National Hydrogen Research Laboratories (July 2024) to secure clean hydrogen production and storage technologies. It also enacted the Integrated Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) Act (February 2024) and developed the government-wide Development Plan for Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Technologies (December 2024), demonstrating its strong commitment to leveraging science and technology to combat climate change.

For 2025, MSIT aims to provide stable support for ongoing projects while accelerating tangible outcomes from R&D efforts.

First, MSIT will strengthen public-private cooperation to ensure that developed technologies can be linked to commercialization. The ministry plans to enhance connections between R&D and demonstration projects and operate the Corporate Council on Industrial Needs for each major technological field in order to promote demand-driven R&D tailored to industrial needs.

Second, MSIT will work on linking core technology development with industry growth by building institutional foundations. Based on the Integrated CCUS Act enacted last year, the ministry will establish systems for certifying CCU technologies and products and designating specialized companies, thereby actively supporting the development of new industries based on innovative technologies.

Third, MSIT will continue to expand the budget for climate adaptation and mitigation R&D by planning large-scale new projects. The ministry plans to establish an open, continuous online platform for R&D project planning, involving academic societies, government research institutes, and private companies. This effort aims to address funding gaps caused by the completion or phase-out of existing projects.

In 2025, MSIT will launch new initiatives for greenhouse gas reduction including R&D for zero-carbon energy technologies, AI-based climate forecasting technologies and international joint research (global R&D flagship projects).

For zero-carbon energy technologies, the Development of Core Zero-Carbon Energy Technologies Project (KRW 5.7 billion) will secure innovative technologies using solar and fuel cells to reduce dependence on external energy sources. Additionally, the Next-Generation CCU Technology Advancement Project (KRW 4.275 billion) will focus on developing end-to-end CCU technologies integrated with zero-carbon energy.

The ministry will also support a new AI-driven Research Project on Climate Forecasting Technologies (KRW 3.1 billion) to develop core technologies for accurately predicting and minimizing the impact of high-damage climate disasters that are difficult to address using conventional methods.

In addition, MSIT will promote two international joint research projects—H2GATHER and Global C.L.E.A.N (KRW 4.025 billion each)—to solve technical challenges in hydrogen and CCU technologies and foster global collaboration.

MSIT plans to actively support technological innovation in climate and environmental fields based on this implementation plan. Detailed information on the 2025 new project announcements, including application guidelines, timelines, and procedures, will be provided on the National Research Foundation of Korea website (www.nrf.re.kr) by late January.

For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division (Phone: +82-44-202-4034, E-mail: msitmedia@korea.kr) of the Ministry of Science and ICT. 

Please refer to the attached PDF.