Korea University Becomes First University in Korea to Declare Itself “Nature Positive”: Aims for Carbon Neutrality by 2045 and More

Korea University (President Kim Dong-One) held a Nature Positive Declaration Ceremony on March 5 in the Grand Auditorium of Science and Technology Building 1 at the university’s Sejong Campus.

Held under the slogan “A Shared Commitment to Nature Restoration and Enhancement,” this event aimed to expand the university’s social responsibility to include addressing the climate crisis and restoring ecosystems.

In his welcoming remarks, President Kim stated, “Universities must go beyond being mere venues for transmitting knowledge and take the lead as action-oriented communities in addressing the climate crisis that threatens the survival of humanity.” He stressed that Korea University will not only achieve carbon neutrality but also pioneer a Nature Positive path that contributes to restoring and enhancing nature, thereby leaving a healthy planet and a sustainable campus for future generations.

Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon delivered a video message expressing his strong support and encouragement for the university’s visionary initiative. “It is highly meaningful for a university to go beyond education and research and take practical steps toward restoring nature,” he said.

In the second session, which was the highlight of the event, specific goals and action plans for achieving Nature Positive were unveiled. Following an introduction to the event’s purpose by Kim Geun-tae, Director of the KU Institute for Sustainability at the Sejong Campus, Shin Jae-hyuk, Director of the Institute for Sustainability at the Seoul Campus, briefed the audience on the progress made and implementation plans.

Korea University reaffirmed its goal of achieving “Net Zero” by 2045 and made clear its commitment to implementing concrete measures to expand natural capital, including a 6% reduction in water usage, a 6% reduction in waste generation, and reaching an 88% adoption rate of sustainable transportation.

Nine representatives from Korea University’s faculty, staff, and student body took the stage to read a joint declaration, pledging to “transform the university’s research, education, and operations into a system that contributes to the restoration and enhancement of nature without causing environmental harm.”

Following the declaration ceremony, Korea University signed a multilateral memorandum of understanding with the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO), the National Institute of Forest Science, and the Korea Environment Institute, thereby establishing a robust cooperative framework for nature restoration.

The event concluded with a commemorative tree-planting ceremony in the Central Plaza, featuring a Korean whitebeam (Sorbus alnifolia) tree donated by the National Institute of Forest Science. As they planted the tree, described as a “table for the ecosystem” since it offers food to birds and insects, the attendees reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the University’s Nature Positive vision, which aims for the coexistence of nature and humanity.