EU-Korea Biodiversity Youth Forum: Driving Integration Between Renewables and Biodiversity

Seoul: On Thursday, 29 January 2026, the EU-Korea Biodiversity Youth Forum was held in Seoul, bringing together renewable energy and policy experts from the EU and Korea, and youth advocates for an afternoon dedicated to exploring how renewable energy expansion can be implemented in ways that protect and enhance biodiversity.According to European Union, the event was jointly organized by the European Union (EU) Delegation to the Republic of Korea, through its climate-dedicated EU-Korea Green Partnership Programme (GPP), and Green Environment Youth Korea (GEYK). The forum focused on collaborative solutions between environment protection and energy projects, such as offshore wind and solar farms.Opening the event, Helene Juramy, Counsellor Trade and Economic Section at the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Korea, underscored the importance of the EU and Korea's strong partnership to advance together on the energy transition and work together on solutions. Jihye Park, Member of the National Assembly (Democratic Party), also delivered congratulatory remarks, reaffirming her commitment to climate resilience and the protection of biological diversity.The forum highlighted the importance of "local acceptance," highlighting how large scale renewable energy projects can be designed to support the livelihoods of local communities. Speaker sessions included discussions by Domen Petelin, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia, on advancing renewable energy while protecting nature in Slovenia; Dr. Who-Seung Lee from the Korea Environment Institute (KEI) on South Korea's Offshore Wind Development Status and National Strategy for Avian Protection; Han Park, Campaigner at the Korea SHE Foundation, on a model for the integration of biodiversity into energy siting reflecting civil society priorities; and Andras Takacs, Energy Policy Officer at Birdlife Europe and Central Asia, detailing the EU approach to ensuring biodiversity considerations in renewable energy deployment.The you th-led forum empowered next-generation leaders to drive a lively dialogue between environmental voices from the EU and Korea. This exchange resulted in concrete action points for youth engagement, including encouraging youth to take an active interest in their immediate environment through citizen science and observation, and working closely with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to voice concerns on environmental policy through civic advocacy.The program concluded with a screening of the film "Legend of Water Flowers," combining technical dialogue with cultural engagement to inspire long-term momentum for the planet's future.