CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS
The purpose of this Act is to ensure that present and future generations enjoy a better life, and to achieve the sustainable development of the State and local areas, and, by extension, human society by pursuing sustainable economic growth and an inclusive society, and also by seeking to tackle climate and environmental crisis through balance and harmony between the economy, society, and the environment.
The terms used in this Act are defined as follows:
| 1. | The term "sustainability" means using economic, social, and environmental resources in a harmonized and balanced way without wasting those resources or deteriorating the quality thereof which are to be used by future generations to meet the needs of present generations; |
| 2. | The term "sustainable development" means development that harmonizes and balances sustainable economic growth, an inclusive society, and a clean and stable environment based on sustainability; |
| 3. | The term "sustainable economic growth" means that a structure of sustainable production and consumption and infrastructure are in place and that all the fruits of economic growth, such as growth of industries and an increase in decent jobs, are distributed widely and equally; |
| 4. | The term "inclusive society" means a society which is fair in an economic, social, and cultural sense in such a way that all members are treated with dignity and equality and realize their potential in a healthy environment, and which also offers a social safety net for disadvantaged groups; |
| 5. | The term "Sustainable Development Goals" means 17 goals adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 to achieve sustainable development; |
| 6. | The term "Korean Sustainable Development Goals" means the national goals formulated by the National Council for Sustainable Development under Article 17 as a national basic strategy for sustainable development under Article 7, reflecting the Sustainable Development Goals and consideration of domestic economic, social, and environmental conditions and regional balance. |
| Article 3 (Basic Principles) |
Sustainable development shall be pursued based on the following basic principles:
| 1. | International rules or agreements regarding sustainable development, such as the Sustainable Development Goals, shall be complied with and implemented, and efforts shall be made to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals; |
| 2. | Various policies and plans shall be formulated taking overall consideration of their potential impact on harmonious development of the economy, society, and the environment; |
| 3. | An economic system shall be established and sustainable economic growth promoted so as to create new technical knowledge and decent jobs through innovative growth; |
| 4. | An inclusive social system that addresses social inequality that may arise in the course of economic development and environmental conservation and that pursues equality across generations shall be put in place so that no one may get left behind or neglected in the course of sustainable development; |
| 5. | A system of land use and production shall be developed and reorganized so as to protect the ecological infrastructure, and resources circulation and environmental conservation shall be facilitated by enhancing the efficiency of energy and resources use; |
| 6. | Participation of interested parties, experts, and citizens shall be guaranteed in the process of formulating and implementing various sustainable development policies; |
| 7. | The environment and social justice of other countries shall not be undermined for the sake of economic development of the Republic of Korea, and international cooperation shall be enhanced to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals at the global level. |
| Article 4 (Responsibilities of the State and Local Governments) |
| (1) | The State and local governments shall comply with the basic principles of sustainable development under Article 3 in all the fields of economy, society, and the environment. |
| (2) | The State and local governments shall pursue comprehensive strategies for future development which include sustainable economic growth, creation of an inclusive society, and responses to ecological-environmental and climate crisis. |
| (3) | The State and local governments shall periodically examine the progress of sustainable development to evaluate sustainable development performance, prevent or mitigate social conflicts, and analyze international trends related to sustainable development and policies of major countries to formulate appropriate measures. |
| (4) | The State and local governments shall take necessary measures such as providing business entities, citizens, and non-governmental organizations with information, financial support, etc. so as to establish and disseminate sustainable development policies. |
| (5) | The State and local governments shall expand education and public relations for sustainable development, improve relevant systems so as to enable the public to more effectively take part in decision-making about policies for sustainable development, and encourage the public’s participation. |
| Article 5 (Responsibilities of the Public and Business Entities) |
| (1) | The public shall endeavor to achieve sustainable development in their daily lives as members of the State and human society, and actively participate and cooperate in the sustainable development policy measures implemented by the State and local governments. |
| (2) | When conducting business activities, business entities shall strive to meet their environmental, social, and ethical responsibilities based on the basic principles of sustainable development prescribed in Article 3 and sustainable management. |
| Article 6 (Relationship to Other Statutes) |
| (1) | With regard to sustainable development, this Act shall prevail over other statutes. |
| (2) | An enactment or amendment of any other statute related to sustainable development shall be in conformity with the purposes and basic principles of this Act. |
CHAPTER II BASIC STRATEGIES AND ACTION PLANS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
| Article 7 (National Basic Strategy for Sustainable Development) |
| (1) | The Government shall formulate and implement a 20-year national basic strategy for sustainable development (hereinafter referred to as "national basic strategy"). |
| (2) | The Government shall formulate a national basic strategy, taking into account the following matters in a balanced manner: |
| 1. | Matters relating to decent jobs and economic development; |
| 2. | Matters relating to the development of sustainable infrastructure and the enhancement of industrial competitiveness; |
| 3. | Matters relating to sustainable production and consumption and the cities and living; |
| 4. | Matters relating to the eradication of poverty, health, well-being, and inclusive education; |
| 5. | Matters relating to reducing inequality, gender equality, and equality across generations; |
| 6. | Matters relating to response to climate crisis and clean energy; |
| 7. | Matters relating to the conservation of ecosystems and the management of land and water; |
| 8. | Matters relating to sustainable agriculture, fisheries, ocean, and forest; |
| 9. | Matters relating to international cooperation, human rights, justice, and peace; |
| 10. | Other matters prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| (3) | A national basic strategy shall include the following: |
| 1. | Matters relating to the current status of sustainable development, changes in circumstances, and prospects for sustainable development; |
| 2. | Matters relating to the Korean Sustainable Development Goals and implementation strategies; |
| 3. | Matters relating to the basic direction of economic, social, and environmental policies for sustainable development; |
| 4. | Matters relating to policy measures by field, such as sustainable economic growth, creation of an inclusive society, and response to ecological-environmental and climate crisis; |
| 5. | Matters relating to a national sustainable development indicator under Article 15; |
| 6. | Evaluation of the immediately preceding national basic strategy; |
| 7. | Other matters necessary for sustainable development. |
| (4) | When the Government intends to formulate or modify a national basic strategy, it shall obtain approval from the President, following deliberation by the National Council for Sustainable Development under Article 17 (hereinafter referred to as the "National Council") and the State Council: Provided, That the process of deliberation by the State Council and approval of the President may be skipped where insignificant matters prescribed by Presidential Decree are to be modified. |
| (5) | The Government shall review and reform the national basic strategy every five years, taking into account changing economic, social, and environmental conditions and the following matters: |
| 1. | A local basic strategy for sustainable development under Article 8 (1); |
| 2. | Results of examining the status of implementation of the central action plan under Article 11 (1); |
| 3. | A national report on sustainable development under Article 16 (1); |
| 4. | A local report on sustainable development under Article 16 (2). |
| (6) | Matters necessary for the methods and procedures for formulating a national basic strategy under paragraphs (1) through (5) and other necessary matters shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 8 (Local Basic Strategies for Sustainable Development) |
| (1) | The head of a local government shall formulate and implement a 20-year local basic strategy for sustainable development (hereinafter referred to as "local basic strategy") in line with the national basic strategy in order to ensure sustainable development of the relevant area. |
| (2) | Article 7 (2) and (3) shall apply mutatis mutandis to the formulation of a local basic strategy. In such cases, "national basic strategy" shall be construed as "local basic strategy"; "Korean Sustainable Development Goals" as "local sustainable development goals"; and "national sustainable development indicator" as "local sustainable development indicator,” respectively. |
| (3) | The head of a local government shall consider changing economic, social, and environmental conditions of the area under his or her jurisdiction, and comprehensively review and reform the local basic strategy every five years, taking into account the following matters: |
| 1. | A national basic strategy; |
| 2. | Results of examining the status of implementation of a local action plan under Article 11 (3); |
| 3. | A local report on sustainable development under Article 16 (2). |
| (4) | Where the head of a local government intends to formulate or modify a local basic strategy, he or she shall submit said strategy to a local council for sustainable development under Article 20 (hereinafter referred to as "local council") for deliberation by the council: Provided, That the process of deliberation by the local council may be skipped where minor matters prescribed by ordinance of the relevant local government are to be modified. |
| (5) | Matters necessary for the methods and procedures for formulating a local basic strategy under paragraphs (1) through (4) and other necessary matters shall be prescribed by municipal ordinance. |
| Article 9 (Formulation and Implementation of Action Plans) |
| (1) | The head of a central administrative agency shall formulate and implement an action plan which includes matters falling under his or her jurisdiction (hereinafter referred to as "central action plan") every five years among sustainable development policy measures under Chapter V, as prescribed by Presidential Decree, in order to implement a national basic strategy. |
| (2) | The head of a central administrative agency shall, where he or she intends to formulate or modify a central action plan, submit the plan for deliberation by the National Council, as prescribed by Presidential Decree: Provided, That the process of deliberation by the National Council may be skipped where insignificant matters prescribed by Presidential Decree are to be modified. |
| (3) | The head of a local government shall formulate and implement a local action plan (hereinafter referred to as "local action plan") every five years, as prescribed by Presidential Decree, in order to implement a local basic strategy. |
| (4) | The head of a local government shall, where he or she intends to formulate or modify a local action plan, refer the plan to a local council for deliberation, as prescribed by ordinance of the relevant local government: Provided, That the process of deliberation by the local council may be skipped where insignificant matters prescribed by municipal ordinance are to be modified. |
| Article 10 (Consultation on and Adjustment of Action Plans) |
| (1) | Where another central administrative agency's central action plan or the local action plan of the Special Metropolitan City, a Metropolitan City, a Special Self-Governing City, a Do, or a Special Self-Governing Province (hereinafter referred to as “City/ Do”) impedes or is deemed likely to impede the implementation of the action plan of the central administrative agency or of the City/Do, the head of the central administrative agency, Special Metropolitan City Mayor, Metropolitan City Mayor, Special Self-Governing City Mayor, Do Governor, or Special Self-Governing Province Governor (hereinafter referred to as "Mayor/Do Governor") may address such concerns through mutual consultation and adjustment as prescribed by Presidential Decree. In such cases, the head of the central administrative agency or the Mayor/Do Governor may hear the opinions of the National Council or the relevant local council regarding matters subject to consultation and adjustment. |
| (2) | Where the local action plan of a Si/Gun/Gu (limited to an autonomous Gu; hereinafter the same shall apply) impedes or is deemed likely to impede the implementation of a local action plan of the City/Do, the relevant Mayor/Do Governor may address such concerns through mutual consultation or adjustment as prescribed by Presidential Decree. In such cases, the head of a local government may hear the opinions of the relevant local council regarding matters subject to consultation and adjustment. |
| (3) | Where the local action plan of a City/Do or the local action plan of another Si/Gun/Gu impedes or is deemed likely to impede the implementation of the local action plan of the relevant Si/Gun/Gu, the head of the Si/Gun/Gu may address such concerns through mutual consultation or adjustment as prescribed by Presidential Decree. In such cases, the head of a local government may hear the opinions of the relevant local council regarding matters subject to consultation and adjustment. |
| Article 11 (Examination of Status of Implementation) |
| (1) | The National Council shall examine the status of implementation of a central action plan every two years and forward the results thereof to the head of the relevant central administrative agency, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| (2) | The head of the relevant central administrative agency shall revise or supplement the central action plan if necessary in connection with the results of the examination he or she receives from the National Council pursuant to paragraph (1). |
| (3) | A local council shall examine the status of implementation of a local action plan every two years and forward the results thereof to the head of the relevant local government, as prescribed by municipal ordinance. |
| (4) | The head of the local government shall revise and supplement the local action plan if necessary in connection with the results of the examination he or she receives from the local council pursuant to paragraph (3). |
| Article 12 (Presentation of Opinions on Policies) |
| (1) | The National Council may, if deemed necessary as a result of examining the status of implementation of the central action plan under Article 11 (1), present its policy opinions to the head of a relevant central administrative agency for sustainable development. |
| (2) | A local council may, if deemed necessary as a result of examining the status of implementation of the local action plan pursuant to Article 11 (3), present its policy opinions to the head of the relevant local government for sustainable development. |
| (3) | The head of a relevant central administrative agency or the head of a relevant local government who receives opinions pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2) (hereinafter referred to as "head of a relevant agency") shall respect such opinions and endeavor to reflect them in the enactment or amendment of a relevant statute and regulation or municipal ordinance, or in the formulation or modification of an administrative plan. |
| Article 13 (Linkage with Plans under Other Statutes or Regulations) |
The State and local governments shall endeavor to ensure that the administrative plans and policies that are formulated pursuant to other statutes and regulations or municipal ordinances harmonize with the basic principles of sustainable development under Article 3 and national basic strategies or local basic strategies.
| Article 14 (Notification following Enactment and Amendment of Statutes or Regulations) |
| (1) | When the head of a central administrative agency intends to enact or amend any statute or regulation, the content of which may affect sustainable development, he or she shall notify the National Council of the details thereof. |
| (2) | When the head of a central administrative agency intends to formulate or modify a mid- to long-term administrative plan related to a national basic strategy, he or she shall notify the National Council of the details thereof. |
| (3) | When the head of a local government intends to enact or amend ordinances which include provisions affecting sustainable development, he or she shall notify the relevant local council of the details thereof. |
| (4) | When the head of a local government intends to formulate or modify an administrative plan related to a local basic strategy, he or she shall notify the relevant local council of the details thereof. |
| (5) | Matters necessary for the period of and procedures for the notification by the head of a central administrative agency to the National Council under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree, and matters necessary for the period of and procedures for the notification by the head of a local government to the local council under paragraphs (3) and (4) shall be prescribed by municipal ordinance. |
| (6) | The National Council or the relevant local council shall review the details of any statute and regulation or municipal ordinance, or administrative plan notified pursuant to paragraphs (1) through (4) and then notify the head of a relevant agency of the results of the review. |
| (7) | When the head of a relevant agency is notified by the National Council or a local council of the results of the review pursuant to paragraph (6), he or she shall properly reflect the results thereof in the enactment or amendment of the relevant statutes and regulations or municipal ordinances or in the formulation or modification of the relevant administrative plans and shall inform the National Council or a local council of the results thereof, if deemed reasonable for sustainable development. |
| (8) | Matters necessary for the subjects and methods of review, procedures, etc. for notification, by the National Council under paragraph (6) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree, and matters necessary for the subjects and methods of review, procedures, etc. for notification by a local council shall be prescribed by municipal ordinance. |
CHAPTER III SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT
| Article 15 (Sustainable Development Indicator and Sustainability Assessment) |
| (1) | The State and local governments shall develop and disseminate a sustainable development indicator at the national and local level reflecting the Sustainable Development Goals. |
| (2) | The National Council or a local council shall assess the sustainability of the State or the local government every two years in accordance with the sustainable development indicator referred to in paragraph (1). |
| (3) | Matters necessary for the development and dissemination of a national sustainable development indicator and national sustainability assessment under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree, and matters necessary for the development and dissemination of a local sustainable development indicator and local sustainability assessment shall be prescribed by municipal ordinance. |
| Article 16 (Sustainable Development Report) |
| (1) | The National Council shall prepare a national report on sustainable development (hereinafter referred to as "national report") every two years by consolidating the results of examination of the status of implementation of a central action plan under Article 11 (1) and the results of national sustainability assessment under Article 15 (2) and publish said report after reporting it to the President. |
| (2) | A local council shall prepare a local report on sustainable development (hereinafter referred to as "local report") every two years by consolidating the results of examination of the status of implementation of a local action plan under Article 11 (3) and the results of local sustainability assessment under Article 15 (2), and publish said report after submitting it to the head of the relevant local government. |
| (3) | Matters necessary for the preparation, etc. of a national report shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree, and matters necessary for the preparation, etc. of a local report shall be prescribed by municipal ordinance. |
CHAPTER IV COUNCIL FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
| Article 17 (Establishment of National Council for Sustainable Development) |
A National Council for Sustainable Development shall be established under the control of the President to respond to requests for advice by the President which are necessary to efficiently promote sustainable development or to deliberate on major policies.
| Article 18 (Composition of National Council) |
| (1) | The National Council shall be composed of not more than 60 members including one chairperson, and the number of members who are not public officials shall be a majority of the total number of members. |
| (2) | The heads of central administrative agencies prescribed by Presidential Decree and the chairpersons of local councils of Cities/Dos shall be ex officio members, and the commissioned members shall be commissioned by the President from among those affiliated with civic and social groups, academic, industrial, or educational circles, youth organizations, etc. with extensive knowledge of and experience in sustainable development. |
| (3) | The chairperson shall be commissioned by the President from among commissioned members. |
| (4) | Each commissioned member shall hold office for a term of two years and may be appointed consecutively for further terms. |
| (5) | The National Council shall have specialized committees in the following areas for specialized review of matters to be deliberated on by the council: |
| 1. | Sustainable development strategies; |
| 2. | Sustainable economic growth; |
| 4. | Response to the ecological, environmental, and climate crisis; |
| 5. | Cooperation among interested parties; |
| 6. | Other areas prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| (6) | A sustainable development unit shall be established in the National Council to support the affairs thereof. |
| (7) | The National Council and specialized committees may disclose materials received and produced and materials for a meeting, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| (8) | Matters necessary for the composition and operation of the National Council, a specialized committee, and a sustainable development unit, disclosure, etc. of materials under paragraphs (1), (2), and (5) through (7) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 19 (Functions of National Council) |
The National Council shall deliberate on the following matters:
| 1. | Matters relating to the formulation and modification of a national basic strategy; |
| 2. | Matters relating to the formulation and modification of a central action plan; |
| 3. | Matters relating to the consultation on and adjustment of action plans under Article 10; |
| 4. | Matters relating to examination of the status of implementation of a central action plan under Article 11 (1); |
| 5. | Matters relating to presentation of policy opinions under Article 12 (1); |
| 6. | Matters relating to review of statutes and regulations or administrative plans and notification of the results of the review under Article 14 (6); |
| 7. | Matters relating to the development and dissemination of a national sustainable development indicator and the national sustainability assessment under Article 15; |
| 8. | Matters relating to the preparation and publication of national reports; |
| 9. | Matters relating to cooperation, etc. among interested parties under Article 26; |
| 10. | Matters relating to dissemination, etc. of information on sustainable development under Article 27; |
| 11. | Matters relating to education, publicity, etc. under Article 28; |
| 12. | Matters relating to the mediation of social conflicts and cooperation, etc. with regard to sustainable development; |
| 13. | Matters subject to deliberation by the National Council under any other statutes or Presidential Decree; |
| 14. | Other matters on which advice to the President is necessary. |
| Article 20 (Organization of Local Councils for Sustainable Development) |
| (1) | A local council for sustainable development shall be established under the jurisdiction of the head of a local government to efficiently promote local sustainable development: Provided, That in cases of a Si/Gun/Gu, a local council may be established in view of the realities of the relevant region. |
| (2) | A local council shall deliberate on the following: |
| 1. | Matters relating to the formulation and modification of local basic strategies; |
| 2. | Matters relating to the formulation and modification of local action plans; |
| 3. | Matters relating to the consultation on and adjustment of action plans under Article 10; |
| 4. | Matters relating to examination of the status of implementation of local action plans under Article 11 (3); |
| 5. | Matters relating to presentation of policy opinions under Article 12 (2); |
| 6. | Matters relating to the review of a municipal ordinance or an administrative plan and notification of the results of the review under Article 14 (6); |
| 7. | Matters relating to the development and dissemination of a local sustainable development indicator and local sustainability assessment under Article 15; |
| 8. | Matters relating to the preparation and publication of local reports; |
| 9. | Matters relating to cooperation, etc. among interested parties under Article 26; |
| 10. | Matters relating to education, publicity, etc. under Article 28; |
| 11. | Matters relating to the mediation of social conflicts and cooperation, etc. with regard to sustainable development; |
| 12. | Matters subject to deliberation by a local council under any other statutes and regulations or municipal ordinances; |
| 13. | Other matters on which advice to the head of a local government is necessary. |
| (3) | A local council may have a secretariat to assist with the operation and affairs of the local council in consultation with the head of the competent local government. |
| (4) | Matters necessary for the title, organization, operation, etc. of the local council shall be prescribed by municipal ordinance. |
| Article 21 (Request for Dispatch of Public Officials or Executive Officers and Employees) |
| (1) | The National Council may, if necessary to perform its affairs, request the head of a relevant agency or the head of a corporation, an organization, etc. to dispatch public officials or executive officers or employees under his or her jurisdiction or request them to serve concurrently in the National Council. |
| Article 22 (Designation of Sustainable Development Officer) |
The head of a central administrative agency or the head of a local government may designate a sustainable development officer from among public officials under his or her jurisdiction to perform the affairs regarding sustainable development, such as those related to national basic strategies or local basic strategies and action plans based on those strategies, the sustainable development indicator developed pursuant to Article 15, and, among other things, to cooperate with the National Council or the local council.
CHAPTER V SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT POLICY MEASURES
| Article 23 (Sustainable Economic Growth) |
| (1) | The State and local governments shall endeavor to enable an industrial structure which involves massive consumption of resources to be converted into a sustainable production, consumption, and industrial structure in phases. |
| (2) | The State and local governments shall formulate and implement policy measures for creating decent jobs and a safe and healthy working environment in order to address job insecurity that might arise in the process of conversion from the current structure to a sustainable production, consumption, and industrial structure as well as to improve the quality of life. |
| (3) | The State and local governments shall formulate and implement policy measures to strengthen the technological competence of enterprises and to promote innovation, and assist enterprises so that they can conduct sustainable management activities, taking into account economic profitability, social responsibility, and environmental soundness. |
| (4) | The State and local governments shall formulate and implement policy measures on finance, wages, and social security to eradicate all forms of discrimination based on age, disability, birthplace, etc. and to address income and social inequality. |
| (5) | The State and local governments shall reform the tax and financial system in an environmentally-friendly manner in order to enhance resources productivity such as by saving and using resources efficiently and reducing wastes, and shall formulate and implement various policy measures to ensure that citizens’ consumption and lifestyles contribute to sustainable development. |
| (6) | The State and local governments shall facilitate sustainable tourism by preserving, restoring, and using animal and plant habitats, ecologically outstanding natural environmental assets, and unique local cultural assets harmoniously as resources for tourism, by revitalizing the local economy, and by respecting the social values of each region. |
| (7) | The State and local governments shall formulate and implement policy measures for securing sustainability of and strengthening accessibility to infrastructure, such as traffic, roads, ports, water supply systems, and green areas. |
| Article 24 (Materialization of Inclusive Society) |
| (1) | The State and local governments shall predict various social issues and worsening conflicts and inequalities that may arise in the course of sustainable development, and devise measures to cope with these problems. |
| (2) | The State and local governments shall help all citizens lead a happy and decent life free from various social risks, and shall formulate and implement policy measures designed to strengthen social services and to build a social safety net so as to ensure that everyone benefit from the social security system and to essentially protect the poor and disadvantaged groups. |
| (3) | The State and local governments shall guarantee disadvantaged groups access to food, make efforts to ensure food security by stably supplying safe agricultural products and high-quality foods and maintaining the genetic diversity of food crops and livestock, and formulate and implement necessary policy measures to establish a sustainable food production system such as by stabilizing farmers’ incomes and fostering environment-friendly agriculture. |
| (4) | The State and local governments shall develop necessary systems and conditions and provide high-quality health services so as to ensure that all people can lead healthy lives, and shall formulate and implement policy measures to enhance universal health coverage to the extent necessary to achieve a balance between the equity and efficiency of health and medical services. |
| (5) | The State and local governments shall formulate and implement inclusive and fair educational policy measures, such as by guaranteeing access to education for all and establishing a high-quality educational environment so that all people can be equipped with the knowledge and qualities necessary to lead sustainable lives. |
| (6) | The State and local governments shall formulate and implement policy measures to achieve gender equality in all the fields of politics, economy, society, and culture so as to ensure that everyone can have equal rights and responsibility in all areas regardless of gender. |
| (7) | The State and local governments shall formulate and implement policy measures for creating safe cities and residential areas that can cope with disasters. |
| Article 25 (Response to Ecological, Environmental, and Climate Crisis) |
| (1) | The State and local governments shall establish and implement policy measures necessary to effectively combat natural disasters, shortage of water, water quality deterioration, and changes in aquatic ecosystems, all of which are caused by climate change, so that all people can have access to water. |
| (2) | The State and local governments shall gradually reduce the use of fossil fuels and expand the distribution of environment-friendly energy to address global warming, and shall formulate and implement policy measures to promote the reasonable and efficient use of energy and to reduce environmental damage caused by energy consumption. |
| (3) | The State and local governments shall pro-actively participate in the international community's efforts to protect the lives and property of people from climate crisis and to keep the global temperature increase at a lower level than that before industrialization, and shall formulate and implement policy measures to strengthen capabilities to cope with climate change. |
| (4) | The State and local governments shall formulate and implement necessary policy measures to ensure the sustainable use of the sea and marine fishery resources by improving the health of the sea and preserving the marine ecosystem through effective response to marine oxidization, sea level rises, marine pollution, etc. |
| (5) | The State and local governments shall formulate and implement policy measures to conserve and manage land ecosystems; to secure biodiversity; to ensure sustainable use of biological resources; and to maintain and promote the public functions of forests by restoring deteriorated land and forests. |
| Article 26 (Cooperation among Interested Parties) |
| (1) | The State, local governments, the National Council, and local councils shall cooperate closely with one another for sustainable development. |
| (2) | The State and local governments shall provide equal access to justice for all by promoting the rule of law and establishing a fair judicial system, and also establish a transparent, effective, and accountable system for preventing violence and corruption and respecting human rights. |
| (3) | The State and local governments shall support various activities conducted at home and abroad by enterprises, civic and social organizations, etc. for sustainable development, and may provide administrative and financial support to cover operating expenses, within the budget, incurred by private-public partnerships, such as a sustainability alliance of Korea, in connection with their domestic and international activities. |
| (4) | The Government and local governments shall formulate and implement various policy measures to seek international cooperation through information exchange, technical cooperation and standardization, and joint survey, research, etc. relating to implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals with foreign countries and international organizations. |
| (5) | The State and local governments shall endeavor to faithfully fulfill national responsibilities, meeting the expectations of the international community and to raise the State's diplomatic stature by actively cooperating in the efforts of developing countries to implement sustainable development, such as by providing necessary support so as to enable them to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. |
CHAPTER VI SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
| Article 27 (Dissemination of Information on Sustainable Development) |
| (1) | The State and local governments shall disseminate knowledge of and information about sustainable development in a manner easily accessible by citizens. |
| (2) | The National Council may build and operate a sustainable development information network to ensure smooth dissemination of knowledge of and information about sustainable development under paragraph (1). |
| (3) | The National Council may request the head of a relevant agency to submit materials necessary for the establishment and operation of the sustainable development information network under paragraph (2). In such cases, upon receiving the request for submission of materials, the head of the relevant agency shall comply with such request, unless there is good cause, such as confidentiality required for national defense or security. |
| (4) | The Government may designate and operate national sustainable development research centers for the efficient establishment and operation of the sustainable development information network under paragraph (2) and for investigation, research, etc. |
| (5) | Matters necessary for establishing and operating the sustainable development information network, the scope of materials that can be requested, methods of request for the materials, and the designation, operation, etc. of the sustainable development research centers under paragraphs (2) through (4) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 28 (Education and Publicity about Sustainable Development) |
| (1) | The State and local governments shall expand education on and widely publicize sustainable development so that business entities, the people, non-governmental organizations, etc. can actively participate in the policies and activities for sustainable development and adopt sustainable behaviors in their daily lives. |
| (2) | The State and local governments shall strengthen school education on sustainable development and expand education on sustainable development integrated and interconnected with lifelong education. |
| (3) | The State and local governments may implement a system for certifying business entities, non-governmental organizations, etc. which have set an example of sustainable development, as prescribed by Presidential Decree or municipal ordinance, in order to encourage sustainable development. |
| (4) | The State and local governments may perform the affairs such as surveys and research, the development of educational programs, and publicity related to sustainable development, all of which are necessary for achieving sustainable development, or may cooperate with public-private partnerships, including a sustainability alliance of Korea. |
| (5) | The State and local governments shall strengthen education and publicity through mass media, including newspapers, broadcasting media, and internet portal services, so as to raise public awareness of the importance of sustainable development. |
| (6) | Public broadcasting shall produce and broadcast programs related to sustainable development and endeavor to boost public service advertisements about sustainable development. |
| Article 29 (Gathering Public Consensus) |
| (1) | The State and local governments may create a forum for gathering consensus on sustainable development (hereinafter referred to as "forum for public deliberation") to share the values of and prospects for sustainable development and to ensure that various stakeholders in a society can actively participate in implementing the Korean Sustainable Development Goals or local sustainable development goals thereby strengthening relevant policy capacity. |
| (2) | The forum for public deliberation shall be operated based on openness, transparency, inclusivity, representativeness, responsibility, and integration, and necessary details in relation to the operation thereof shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| (3) | The National Council or local councils shall reflect the opinions of various stakeholders gathered through a forum for public deliberation in the process of deliberation by each council, and shall disclose the results thereof, etc. through the sustainable development information network referred to in Article 27 (2). |
| Article 30 (Request for Submission of Materials) |
| (1) | The National Council or local councils may, if deemed necessary for performing its duties, request the head of a relevant agency to submit information or materials on sustainable development. |
| (2) | Upon receiving the request under paragraph (1), the head of the relevant agency shall comply with such request, unless there is good cause, such as confidentiality required for national defense or security. |
| Article 31 (Responses to International Norms) |
| (1) | The State and local governments shall collect, survey, and analyze the international trends and information regarding the systems and policies related to sustainable development a foreign government or an international organization intends to enact or introduce, and shall formulate proper measures, such as reasonably improving relevant systems and policies and establishing a support program therefor. |
| (2) | The State and local governments shall fully provide information to businesses and the public regarding the trends, information, and measures under paragraph (1) to improve their capabilities to respond to international norms. |
| Article 32 (Reporting to the National Assembly) |
| (1) | The Government shall, when it formulates or revises a national basic strategy, report said strategy to the National Assembly without delay, and shall submit a national report prepared pursuant to Article 16 (1) to the National Assembly without delay. |
| (2) | The head of a central administrative agency shall, when he or she formulates or revises a central action plan, report said plan to the competent Standing Committee of the National Assembly or to a relevant special committee without delay. |
| (3) | Upon receiving the results of examining the status of implementation of the central action plan forwarded by the National Council under Article 11 (1), the head of a central administrative agency shall report said results to the competent Standing Committee of the National Assembly or a relevant special committee without delay. |
| (4) | Where the head of a local government formulates or revises a local basic strategy or formulates or revises a local action plan, he or she shall, without delay, report said strategy or plan to the local council and submit the same to the National Council. |
| (5) | The head of a local government shall submit a local report prepared pursuant to Article 16 (2) to the National Council and the local council without delay. |
| (6) | Upon receiving the results of examining the status of implementation of a local action plan forwarded by a local council pursuant to Article 11 (3), the head of a local government shall, without delay, report said results to the local council and submit the same to the National Council. |
ADDENDA <Act No. 18708, Jan. 4, 2022>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation: Provided, That Article 3 of these Addenda shall enter into force on March 25, 2022. Article 2 (Repeal of Other Statutes)
Article 3 (Transitional Measures concerning National Basic Strategy)
A basic plan for sustainable development formulated under the previous Framework Act on Low Carbon, Green Growth shall be deemed a national basic strategy under this Act until the national basic strategy under this Act is formulated for the first time. Article 4 (Transitional Measures concerning National Council)
The Commission on Sustainable Development established under the previous Sustainable Development Act as at the time this Act enters into force shall be deemed the National Council under this Act until the National Council under this Act is established for the first time.