This session discussed South Korea’s Policy Directions for the Circular Economy, with EV batteries as a key priority and focus, establishing a sustainable battery circulation system, and strengthening governance and international cooperation in this area. 

Speaker:   
 
Dr. Ji-Hye Jo  
Chief Research Fellow 
Division for Resource Circulation 
Korea Environment Institute  
 
Dr. Ji-Hye Jo is currently conducting research on circular economy, resource circulation, and carbon neutrality at the Korea Environment Institute (KEI). Her work focuses on various aspects of the circular economy, including the recycled materials market, sustainable product design, resource circulation strategies for key items like plastics and batteries, and the sub-regulations under the Act on Promotion of Transition to Circular Economy and Society.  

Through these research efforts, she contributes to the establishment of the legal foundation for a circular economy and the formulation of national-level strategies and plans. In addition, Dr. Jo is a national expert in the intersessional expert groups for the Global Plastics Treaty and participates in various committees, including the Central Environmental Policy Committee of the Ministry of Environment and the Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth Committee.  

She is also a co-author of the book "Carbon Neutrality 2050 of the Republic of Korea," specifically contributing to the section on "Achieving Carbon Neutrality through Circular Economy."