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Regional governments in India and South Korea are shaping Asia’s climate future—Will national policies keep pace with their ambitious transition plans?
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This article is part of the series—Raisina Edit 2025
Over the past 50 years, Asia has experienced rapid growth driven by regional leadership and innovation. Asia is home to approximately 59 percent of the global population. It is expected to account for 42 percent of the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2040, uniquely positioning the region to champion efforts on issues of shared interest. In 2024, global carbon emissions reached a new high, with current projections indicating that the 1.5 goal under the Paris Agreement is not on the intended track and has reached a point of no return. Today, Asia has the opportunity to take the initiative as leaders in the global fight against climate change, strengthening regional and international collaboration. In India and South Korea, national climate initiatives are powerful, yet they have a few key implementation challenges. Climate action can and should be pursued at multiple levels. While the central governments in India and South Korea hold the authority to drive implementation and policy change, subnational governments have emerged as norm entrepreneurs, advocating for change and leading climate initiatives.
Subnational governments have shown leadership in demanding and implementing support systems for more ambitious climate action, playing a key role in promoting and mobilising stronger climate ambition by providing localised solutions, engaging directly with communities, and fostering regional development benefits. In India and South Korea, subnational initiatives are leading the push for change, an effort that must be equally matched at the national government level to achieve the 1.5 goal.
Asia has the opportunity to take the initiative as leaders in the global fight against climate change, strengthening regional and international collaboration.
In India, climate governance has evolved into a hybrid multilevel framework where policymakers interact with subnational actors through consultation and delegation. This structure enables multiple actors to reinforce each other, but subnational efforts depend on alignment with centrally mandated climate policies that support broader development and adaptation goals. Similarly, in South Korea, subnational governments have led ambitious climate action programmes but continue to face funding and capacity challenges due to reliance on central government resources.
India and South Korea’s shared subnational leadership presents an opportunity for international collaboration, to learn from shared experiences, and jointly advocate for a combined call for stronger national action. As leading climate actors in Asia and across the international front, both nations can leverage subnational momentum to advance a just and sustainable transition.
As the world’s 13th largest and Asia’s fifth largest greenhouse gas (GHG) emitter, South Korea plays a crucial role in the global fight to mitigate climate change as a high-emitting economy that has benefitted from industrialisation. South Korea must shoulder the responsibility to take concerted action to support the Global South in achieving a just and equitable transition.
However, South Korea’s 2021 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) of reducing 40 percent of GHG emissions below 2018 levels by 2030 has been criticised for lacking ambition, and national policies and action are considered to be insufficient compared to the necessary climate ambition needed to meet the 1.5 goal.
Chungnam Province, located in the southwest of the peninsula, is the nation’s highest carbon-emitting province. It hosts approximately half the nation’s coal-fired power capacity and high carbon-emitting industries, which make up more than half the region’s industry. Despite this, Chungnam Province has acted as a pioneer for climate ambition on energy transition in South Korea.
Chungnam unveiled its Energy Conversion Vision 2050, aiming to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy systems and naturally contributed to the country’s clean energy transition away from fossil fuels.
In 2017, Chungnam unveiled its Energy Conversion Vision 2050, aiming to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy systems and naturally contributed to the country’s clean energy transition away from fossil fuels. In the same year, Chungnam also launched the “2017 International Conference on Coal Phase-out and Energy Transition”, inviting South Korean and overseas ministries, legislators, and other subnational governments to explore just transition pathways and build international networks by inviting global guests. The Chungnam government has been actively pursuing just transition, promoting carbon neutrality, making the region a hub for research and development institutions by pulling efforts to support communities affected and has committed to a 35 percent reduction in methane emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2045, a goal 5 years ahead of the national target.
As part of these goals, Chungnam has established a Just Transition Fund of ₩10 billion (US$6.9 million), alongside key initiatives such as enacting the Just Transition Ordinance, forming a dedicated Just Transition Committee, and creating specialised organisations. The region is also working on initiating a “Just Transition Online Platform” and supporting public calls for projects related to the transition. A critical aspect of this plan is the development of systems to address the economic and employment crises in transition areas, ensuring sustainable and equitable solutions for affected communities. The just transition issue remains bipartisan, with Governor Kim Tae-heum (People Power Party) continuing the initiative after Governor Yang Seung-jo (Democratic Party). Governor Kim has even requested additional funding from the National Assembly to support these efforts, highlighting the need for continued investment in the region’s transition. In 2018, Chungnam became the first Asian subnational state to join the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA), and in 2021, it became the Asia Pacific Chair for the Under 2 Coalition. Chungnam’s ambition marked a high point when it announced a 2045 carbon neutrality pledge in 2021 post-COP26, which is five years ahead of the national pledge of 2050.
A critical aspect of this plan is the development of systems to address the economic and employment crises in transition areas, ensuring sustainable and equitable solutions for affected communities.
In February 2025, Chungnam Province declared itself a Carbon-Neutral Economic Special Province, reaffirming its leadership in advancing carbon neutrality in South Korea. New industrial complexes will be developed with RE100 plans, while existing ones will integrate solar power installations. Meanwhile, offshore wind projects are progressing, with construction set to begin this year on one of five planned wind farms. Additionally, green hydrogen power generation will be developed alongside hydrogen city projects to support a sustainable hydrogen ecosystem.
India has experienced rapid growth in population and GDP, causing a drive in energy demand. In response, the government has set a target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070 and has committed to sourcing 50 percent of its total energy capacity from renewables by 2030. India has shown leadership in renewable energy transition, making substantial progress in installing its capacity. However, it navigates dual challenges of development and climate action; bridging the energy supply gap remains a key task, with fossil fuel demand yet to see a significant decline.
A key part of India’s energy transition is the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which seeks to establish the country as a global hub for green hydrogen’s production, use, and export. Subnational governments have shown interest in supporting green hydrogen development. Regions such as Gujarat present substantial green hydrogen production potential, with 21.6 gigawatt of installed capacity, but plans for further development of 100GW installed capacity by 2030. For states to implement the energy plans, the government must focus on mobilising investment plans and supporting infrastructure development.
A key part of India’s energy transition is the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which seeks to establish the country as a global hub for green hydrogen’s production, use, and export.
This year, South Korea should strive to position itself as a climate front-runner, especially with the urgent task of strengthening its NDC and developing a robust long-term reduction strategy to achieve net-zero emissions. The collaboration with like-minded partners is essential. India stands out as a key partner due to its similar economic trajectory, strong diplomatic ties, and well-established energy cooperation.
India’s leadership in solar energy deployment and progressive policy frameworks in rooftop and industrial solar policies offer valuable lessons for South Korea in streamlining permitting, improving technical reliability, and enhancing public acceptance of renewables. India’s International Solar Alliance (ISA) also provides a platform for collaboration on scaling rooftop solar, mini-grids, and solar heating systems, aligning closely with South Korea’s Renewable Energy 2030 Plan. At the subnational level, while Indian states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu are pioneering solar and wind energy expansion, Karnataka and Maharashtra lead in renewable-friendly regulations and investment attraction. These initiatives offer insights for South Korea’s regional energy transition strategies to accelerate renewable energy. Meanwhile, South Korean subnational efforts in accelerating just transition shaped by multi-stakeholder engagement could inform India’s long-term strategy to mitigate stranded asset risks from reliance on fossil fuels.
Given the strong, trusted bilateral relationship, enhanced cooperation on climate diplomacy, clean energy policies, and subnational initiatives can significantly accelerate progress toward net-zero goals for both nations.
With recent shifts in the global political landscape, subnational leadership is becoming increasingly vital in ensuring accountability and progress in climate action. The efforts of South Korea and India’s subnational governments in leading climate initiatives and policy development underscore the importance of bottom-up climate action. Both subnational governments have demonstrated a strong commitment to ambitious climate plans, developing comprehensive strategies that align with national climate ambition targets.
In this context, the growing link between India and East Asia- particularly South Korea and Japan- as demand centres for green hydrogen (GH2) presents a strategic opportunity for industrial decarbonisation. South Korea and Japan are looking to secure stable supplies of GH2 to decarbonise their heavy industries, while India is positioning itself as a key supplier in the emerging global hydrogen market. Subnational governments in India, with regionally specific knowledge and economic incentives, play a crucial role in driving GH2 production and infrastructure development, reinforcing the broader climate commitments of both nations.
South Korea and Japan are looking to secure stable supplies of GH2 to decarbonise their heavy industries, while India is positioning itself as a key supplier in the emerging global hydrogen market.
Recognising the unique perspectives and motivations subnational governments possess is crucial for national governments, as their regional knowledge allows for geographically tailored climate solutions that best serve local interests. National governments must actively support these efforts by fostering collaboration and providing the necessary resources. Being one of the advanced economies and signatories to the Paris Agreement, South Korea and India both share the responsibility of limiting global warming to 1.5°C by ensuring a smooth transition to renewable energy as a key pillar to their industrial decarbonisation strategy.
With Asia’s fossil fuel phase-down a key focus leading up to COP28 and beyond, stronger collaboration between the two nations is essential. COP28 set a global target to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030, reinforcing the mandate for Asian countries to transition away from fossil fuels and deliver on their national pledges. By sharing expertise, exchanging technology, and addressing each other’s energy transition challenges, South Korea and India can accelerate clean energy adoption and demonstrate joint climate leadership in the region, ensuring the successful implementation of these global commitments at the national level.
Gyoorie Kim is a Climate Diplomacy Associate at Solutions For Our Climate (SFOC) in South Korea, with expertise in urban studies, geography, and spatial analysis.
Maya Lycett is an intern with the Climate Diplomacy Team at Solutions For Our Climate (SFOC) in South Korea, focusing on environmental policy and international relations.
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Gyoorie Kim is a Climate Diplomacy Associate at Solutions For Our Climate (SFOC) in South Korea, with expertise in urban studies, geography, and spatial analysis. ...
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Maya Lycett is an intern with the Climate Diplomacy Team at Solutions For Our Climate (SFOC) in South Korea, focusing on environmental policy and international ...
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