The Climate Tech Startup Summit (CTSS), co-hosted by the Kakao Impact Foundation and Sopung Ventures, took place in Jeju from the 10th to the 12th. Marking the event’s fifth anniversary, the launch of “Korea Climate Week” was officially declared, with participation from 11 private, public, and academic institutions. The inaugural event is targeted for September 2027.
This year’s summit, themed “AI That Moves the Climate, Energy That Moves AI,” was held at Kakao’s Jeju office Space.1 and the Amber Pure Hill Hotel & Resort. Approximately 150 experts attended, including climate tech startups, investment and finance professionals, government and public institution representatives, and researchers and academics, to discuss AI technologies and power and energy solutions for addressing climate challenges.
In the grand keynote, Chun Hae-won, associate professor at KAIST’s Graduate School of Green Growth and Sustainability, presented on “Climate Runs on AI,” exploring how AI is transforming climate policy analysis and decision-making. Ha Jung-woo, vice chairman of South Korea’s National AI Strategy Committee, addressed “AI Runs on Power,” highlighting the power challenges of the AI era, including surging data center electricity demand and intensifying competition for computational resources.
A special keynote dialogue followed, moderated by Han Sang-yeop, CEO of Sopung Ventures. “Over the past five years, climate tech has grown from validating its potential to a stage where capital, policy, and industry are moving together,” Han said. “I hope the discussions that began in Jeju this year will lead to new collaborations and actions, powerfully opening the next five years for South Korean climate tech.”
Background and Participating Institutions of Korea Climate Week
Korea Climate Week is a joint platform designed to collectively explore solutions to climate challenges and connect South Korea’s climate tech sector with the world. The launch declaration included 11 institutions, including the Kakao Impact Foundation and Sopung Ventures, as well as the Asan Nanum Foundation, D.Camp, Climate Solutions, climate tech-related associations, and universities and research institutions.
Over the three-day summit, a diverse program was offered, including startup challenge final pitching, panel discussions, and special policy sessions. Participants focused on examining how AI technologies are reshaping the broader climate tech landscape, while jointly addressing the AI that solves climate problems and the power and energy challenges that drive it.
Kim Sung-hwan, South Korea’s Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, attended the event in person, stating, “It is time for South Korea to take the lead in solving the climate crisis, a global challenge.” He added, “In particular, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment will build a solid foundation and fulfill its responsibility so that the technological capabilities accumulated by climate tech startups can expand their potential onto the world stage.”
Ryu Seok-young, chairman of the Kakao Impact Foundation, emphasized, “I hope the connections and collaborations that entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and policymakers have built over five years of gathering in Jeju will become a new milestone for the global climate tech ecosystem, beyond South Korea.”
Kakao’s Expanding Green Management
Kakao is expanding its green management initiatives in line with its 2040 net-zero goal. Notable examples include the 100% renewable energy transition of its Jeju office and the introduction of a solar power purchase agreement (PPA) for its Ansan data center.
The Climate Tech Startup Summit has established itself as a networking event that brings together climate tech startups, investors, corporations, and government and policy experts. With the launch of Korea Climate Week on the back of this summit, observers note that an institutional foundation has been laid for strengthening the connection between South Korea’s domestic climate tech ecosystem and the global stage.
In particular, amid the rapid advancement of AI technology and the resulting surge in data center power demand, the recognition that climate problem-solving and energy security must be addressed simultaneously emerged as a core agenda item at this event. When Korea Climate Week holds its first event in 2027, it is expected to serve as a channel for international cooperation in the climate tech sector.