ASCN 2023 Conference Successfully Concluded

Discussions on Local Community Climate and Environmental Issues Held by 16 Universities from Korea, China, Japan and Thailand

“Creating Green Campuses to Achieve Carbon Neutrality Goals”

▲ A group photo taken at the ASCN 2023 Conference.

The graduate schools specializing in carbon neutrality, OJeong Resilience Institute (OJERI), and the Institute for Sustainable Development, in collaboration with the Korean Association for Green Campus Initiative, successfully concluded the Asian Sustainable Campus Network (ASCN) 2023 Conference on November 3 at Hana Square Multimedia Room.

Under the theme “For the Sustainable Future: SDGs and Carbon Neutrality,” this event brought together faculty and students from eight domestic universities and eight overseas universities, representing Korea, China, Japan, and Thailand. They shared cases of collaborative efforts addressing climate and environmental issues through cooperation among government, industry, academia, and research institutions.

Eun-hee Lee, chair of the Korean Association for Green Campus Initiative, emphasized the role of universities in addressing climate change and other risks faced by humanity. She highlighted the efforts of Korea’s green campuses in this regard.

In his welcome address, President Dong-One Kim noted the severity of the rapidly escalating climate crisis. He stated, "Korea University is working towards achieving carbon neutrality by 2045, with plans for a green campus. We are actively participating in sustainable practices, and aim to raise awareness and capacity through activities such as Zero Waste and Global Citizenship Training." He further emphasized the need for related research and education at Korea University to contribute not only to the local community but also to national and global problem-solving.

▲ President Dong-One Kim delivers a welcome address.

Former Minister of Environment Myung-rae Cho delivered a keynote speech on “Nature-Based Solutions for Carbon Neutrality,” discussing human-based and technology-based approaches and their applications in urban environments for redefining carbon neutrality through green transformation. Subsequently, in university case presentations, Dong-ryul Kang of OJeong Resilience Institute introduced the process of enacting Korea's Framework Act for Sustainable Development and Korea University's sustainable development education program. Kim Ik-Jae, a researcher at the Institute for Sustainable Development, presented Korea University's response to sustainability-based university evaluations, such as THE Impact Ranking and QS Sustainability.

In the youth case presentations, Yoo-ri Han, team leader of the Green Genie Team at Ewha Womans University, introduced an energy-saving campaign for achieving a green campus. So-hyun Eom, team leader of the Rounder Team at Sungkyunkwan University, presented Loopy, a waste reduction startup utilizing IoT reusable cups in a marathon competition. Soo-yong Ahn, president of LAICOS Association, spoke about a social economy project within the university. As for universities representing Japan, Gifu University shared a project on creating a campus plant guidebook and map, Chiba University presented an environmental education project for children and youth, and Ritsumeikan University discussed a project to enhance carbon neutrality capabilities. From Thailand, Burapha University presented a goods manufacturing project through condom collection and recycling, Sripatum University shared a project utilizing cricket dung for bio-mass, and KMUTNB University discussed a carbon avoidance project through diet management.

Woo-gyun Lee, president of the Korean Association for Green Campus Initiative, urged universities to strive for ecological resilience. He said, “By sharing our time and experiences, we should work towards achieving sustainable vitality on planet Earth.”