Workshop on Clean Energy Transitions and Practical Policy for Future Global Policy Leaders

Jeju-do, Republic of Korea

5 – 7 August 2025

Background

The world is facing the growing visibility of the climate crisis, manifested in abnormal weather patterns, increasing natural disasters, and food and water insecurity. Among the key contributors, carbon emissions from the energy sector have been identified as a principal cause. In response, the international community has strengthened its collective efforts toward greenhouse gas reduction and the achievement of carbon neutrality (Net Zero), notably through the 2015 Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In particular, SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) calls for improved energy access (7.1), increased use of renewable energy (7.2), and enhanced energy efficiency (7.3) by 2030, emphasizing the need for international cooperation to expand clean energy access in developing countries. Simultaneously, SDG 13 (Climate Action) highlights the importance of education, institutional development, and partnerships to strengthen global capacity for climate change response.

However, in reality, many developing countries continue to rely heavily on fossil fuels, traditional biomass, and informal or unstable electricity systems. Transitioning to clean energy involves significant financial, technical, and institutional burdens, and is often accompanied by high levels of uncertainty. Under such varying national conditions, energy transition is not merely a change in energy sources but a complex policy challenge requiring responses that consider equity, accessibility, and feasibility.

Public officials from developing countries currently enrolled in the Development Cooperation Policy Program (DCPP) at Seoul National University’s Graduate School of International Studies are engaged in research on energy access, national energy policies, and renewable energy strategies. Throughout this process, they seek practical learning and comparative case studies on how to plan and implement clean energy transitions in their own national contexts.

Clean energy transition is not only a technical or institutional matter, but also an economic one. Changes in energy supply systems demand a broader restructuring of energy economics, including electricity tariffs, investment models, subsidy frameworks, and incentives for private sector participation. A sound understanding of market-based policy tools such as Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE), Renewable Energy Certificates (REC), and Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) is increasingly essential. In developing countries, where fiscal capacity and investment environments are often limited, practical strategies linked to international ODA and carbon markets are crucial. This workshop will therefore address not only the technical and policy aspects of clean energy transitions but also their economic dimensions, helping participants integrate energy-economic considerations into their policy-making processes.

This workshop is designed to enable DCPP participants to directly engage with Korea’s climate and energy policies—particularly the clean energy initiatives in Jeju Province—through on-site learning and contextual comparison. The sessions will explore the structural causes of the climate crisis, policy tools for carbon reduction, key considerations in the transition process, and models for international cooperation, all with a participant-centered approach.

Participants will visit climate data institutions and clean energy infrastructure, and take part in expert-led sessions and group discussions. Through these activities, they will identify common challenges and policy diversity across countries, and refine transition strategies tailored to their local realities. Ultimately, the workshop aims to strengthen policy capacity for sustainable energy and build a foundation for international solidarity in achieving the SDGs.

Overview

This international workshop aims to strengthen the policy and implementation capacity of future public sector leaders from developing countries who are navigating the challenges of clean energy transitions. Specifically, it seeks to:

- Deepen Understanding of Climate-Energy Nexus

Equip participants with a systemic understanding of how energy-related carbon emissions drive climate crises, and how climate data and risk are integrated into national policy responses.

- Enhance Practical Policy Design for Energy Transition

Introduce actionable strategies and market-based instruments (e.g., LCOE, REC, RPS) for planning and executing clean energy policies adapted to diverse national contexts.

- Introduce Korea’s Policy and Economic Approaches

Share Korea’s experiences—especially from Jeju Province—in balancing climate policy goals with technical, institutional, and economic constraints in clean energy development.

- Encourage Comparative Learning and Contextual Adaptation

Enable participants to critically examine their own countries' challenges through case-based and field-based learning, and foster peer-to-peer exchange of policy ideas.

Expected Outcomes

By the end of the workshop, participants are expected to:

- Develop a holistic understanding of clean energy policy implementation, including technical, institutional, and economic factors relevant to their own countries.

- Acquire knowledge of Korean and international case studies, with a focus on Jeju’s clean energy transition strategy and policy instruments.

- Strengthen their ability to design or reform national energy and climate policies, grounded in sustainable development principles and international cooperation.

- Build a regional and global peer network for ongoing collaboration in clean energy and climate action.

Methodology

The workshop will combine theoretical and experiential learning approaches:

- Expert-led Sessions

Lectures and discussions led by Korean energy policy experts, focusing on clean energy economics, transition planning, and public-private cooperation models.

- Field Visits

Site-based learning at key institutions in Jeju, including the Korea Meteorological Administration and the Jeju CFI (Carbon-Free Island) Energy Future Center.

- Participant-led Discussion & Group Work

Interactive sessions for participants to reflect on lessons, compare national experiences, and explore context-specific solutions.

Participants

The workshop is designed for:

- Public sector professionals from developing countries currently enrolled in Seoul National University’s Development Cooperation Policy Program (DCPP).

- Participants represent government ministries and agencies in charge of energy, environment, or climate policy and are conducting research on topics such as renewable energy, power access, hybrid energy systems, sustainable fuels, and just transition.

- Participation is by invitation only, limited to 16 individuals from 13 countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Programme Schedule

Provisional Program

*The program above is subject to change.

For further inquiries, please contact 

United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)

Centre International de Formation des Autorités et Leaders (CIFAL)

UNITAR CIFAL Jeju

Ms. Gyumin Shin,

Program Officer

Tel. 064-735-6575 / Email gmshin.jitc@gmail.com