Korea University President Kim Dong-one, center, poses with the school's faculty members and representative students during its “Nature Positive” declaration ceremony at Korea University Sejong Campus, March 5. Courtesy of Korea University
Korea University pledged to expand the university’s role in addressing the climate crisis and restoring ecosystems during a “Nature Positive” declaration ceremony at its Sejong campus last Thursday.
A Korea University official said the event aimed to extend the university’s social responsibility beyond carbon reduction to broader environmental restoration initiatives.
Korea University Kim Dong-one said during his welcome address that universities must go beyond their traditional role as institutions of knowledge and act as a community, taking practical steps to address the climate crisis.
“Universities must now lead efforts to solve the climate crisis that threatens the survival of humanity,” Kim said.
“Korea University will pioneer a ‘Nature Positive’ path that contributes not only to carbon neutrality but also to the recovery and enhancement of nature, leaving a healthy planet and a sustainable campus for future generations.”
Former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also delivered congratulatory remarks via video, expressing strong support for the initiative. Ban said it is meaningful for universities to move beyond education and research to take practical action toward nature restoration.
During the main session of the event, the university outlined specific targets and implementation plans to achieve the Nature Positive initiative.
Korea University reaffirmed its goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2045 while presenting concrete indicators to expand natural capital on campus.
These include reducing water usage by 6 percent, cutting waste generation by 6 percent and increasing the share of sustainable transportation to 88 percent.
Source: Korea Times News
