Jeonnam Green Environment Support Center at Chonnam National University

The Jeonnam Green Environment Support Center, operated by Chonnam National University, was established to promote sustainable environmental management and address region-specific environmental challenges in Jeonnam. Designated under Article 10 of the Environmental Technology and Industry Support Act, the center functions as a regional hub for uniting environmental expertise across public, private, academic, and research sectors to actively address environmental issues tailored to local needs.

The center’s core x-objectives are to build a foundation for green growth and enhance regional environmental quality. To achieve this, the center pursues the following goals through collaborative efforts:

• Strengthening regional environmental capacity by resolving pressing environmental issues.
• Implementing demand-driven, region-specific research focused on local challenges.
• Supporting sustainable environmental management and providing assistance to resolve environmental issues faced by local industries.
• Promoting community involvement through environmental education and outreach initiatives.

Key Activities

1. Local Environmental Research and Development: Conducting investigations and developing specialized environmental technologies to address local issues such as fine dust, odor, and algal blooms, with the goal of improving the living environment in Jeonnam.
2. Environmental Technology Support for Small Businesses: Providing technical, administrative, and financial support to assist small businesses with process improvements and pollution control facilities, helping them overcome environmental challenges.
3. Environmental Education and Outreach: Training environmental experts to meet local needs and organizing seminars, workshops, and exhibitions to raise awareness and reduce environmental conflicts within the community.

• Citizen Environmental Education: Provides everyday environmental knowledge that can be practiced in daily life and offers information on local environmental issues.
• Specialized Environmental Training: Delivers advanced education on environmental management and technical skills, including both theoretical training and hands-on practice. The program also covers information on the establishment and amendment of environmental laws and addresses regional environmental issues and solutions.
• Environmental Promotion Activities: Establishes governance structures and partnerships to address local environmental issues, organizing workshops and seminars on environmental topics to gather input and foster dialogue. Additionally, the center celebrates environmental awareness days and hosts guest lectures from domestic and international environmental experts to raise awareness on environmental issues.

The Jeonnam Green Environment Support Center has established a comprehensive collaborative network, working with 36 companies in Yeosu Industrial Complex, POSCO, the Ministry of Environment and Yeongsan River Basin Environmental Office, as well as local governments including Jeollanam-do, and the cities of Yeosu, Suncheon, and Gwangyang. In addition, partnerships with environmental associations such as the Yeosu Industrial Complex Environmental Council and Gwangju-Jeonnam Environmental Technicians Association, alongside 21 universities in Jeonnam and local research institutes, strengthen regional environmental governance.

Through these activities, the Jeonnam Green Environment Support Center plays a critical role in supporting regional SDG policy development by conducting research that informs local environmental policies and developing practical technologies to address specific regional needs. The center’s efforts in coordinating cross-sectoral collaboration and supporting policies on climate action, pollution reduction, and sustainable industrial practices directly contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The center's achievements and contributions are documented and made publicly available through collaborative projects, publications, and community reports, reinforcing its role as a key player in Jeonnam's sustainable development efforts.