Ministry to invest $81.5 million in climate research

Korea’s Science Ministry said Monday it will invest 86.6 billion won ($81.5 million) this year to develop climate-related technologies to curb carbon gas emissions.

The Ministry of Science and ICT said it designated two new sectors in 2018 to secure related technologies to better combat climate change. The 2018 budget increased by 9.6 percent from the 77 billion won earmarked for last year.

The ministry said this year’s budget will be focused on carrying out research and development activities more effectively to achieve the country’s goal and offer a specific technology management solution.

“This year is aimed at securing core technologies to deal with climate change,” said Jeong Byung-sun, a ministry official in charge of the projects.

Noticeably, the ministry said it will newly earmark 5.8 billion won to develop fuel cells and secondary batteries, which are considered key technologies in the renewable energy industry.

Yonhap