“It's unbelievable that this was made from discarded masks.”

On the afternoon of the 1st, at the upcycling experience booth held at Hall C on the 3rd floor of COEX, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Seong Ji-yeon (34) expressed amazement while participating in a keyring-making experience using discarded masks. At the 'Touch for Good' booth, citizens can directly experience the process of making flower pots and keyrings using discarded masks and waste rice. When the processed discarded masks were poured into a mold and heated, a keyring in the shape of Seoul's mascot 'Haechi' was completed in an instant. Seong stated, “Climate tech felt vague and difficult, but learning through such fun experiences makes it easy,” and added, “It made me think about climate tech in a new way.”

● The third 'Seoul Climate Tech Conference' this year

From September 30 to October 2, the Seoul Metropolitan Government held the '2025 Seoul Climate Tech Conference' at COEX. This event, prepared with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, is a venue to directly introduce green innovation technologies to citizens. First held at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in 2023, it has continued annually, marking its third occurrence this year.

This year's event saw the participation of 29 climate innovation companies. The exhibition hall on the 3rd floor of COEX was divided into five zones: △ 'Turning Point' highlighting the necessity of technology in the climate crisis △ 'Circular Innovation' showcasing new technologies utilizing waste resources △ 'Smart Lab' introducing satellite exploration and low-carbon IT solutions △ 'Climate Companion' featuring technologies aiding daily practices, such as AI recycling robots △ 'Future Daily Life' presenting future food technologies like plant-based eggs.

Experience programs where citizens could directly participate were popular throughout the exhibition hall. Booths for making keyrings from discarded masks or tasting alternative coffee attracted long lines of visitors. A carbon neutrality challenge program, 'Lowering Earth's Temperature by 1.5 Degrees,' was also conducted, offering souvenirs to those who experienced all five zones. Kim Jae-won (23), a student at a private university in Seoul, remarked, “I used to think of the climate crisis vaguely, but experiencing various eco-friendly products directly has greatly increased my interest.”

During the event, lectures for citizens interested in eco-friendliness and climate tech were held consecutively. From September 30 to October 1, 15 climate-related experts took the stage at the Startup Branch on the 2nd floor of COEX. Yoon Soon-jin, a professor at Seoul National University's Graduate School of Environmental Studies, and Jeong Moo-seong, Chairman of the Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Foundation, delivered keynote speeches, followed by discussion sessions on topics such as 'The Role of AI in Responding to the Climate Crisis' and 'Investment Trends.' On the 1st, a startup competition for prospective startups and a 'Climate Empathy Talk Concert' for citizens were held.

● First introduction of consultations and IR pitching for corporate support

Various support programs for companies were also prepared. Representatives from nine domestic and international investment firms and the Public Procurement Service participated, offering free one-on-one investment and management consultations to companies. Notably, this event saw the first participation of Bae, Kim & Lee LLC, providing ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and environmental regulation advice, and consulting on legal issues faced by climate tech companies.

Eight climate tech companies had the opportunity to promote their products and services directly to district and public institution officials through public IR pitching. Kwon Min, Director of the Seoul Climate and Environment Headquarters, stated, “Seoul will take the lead in supporting the growth of climate tech companies and creating a sustainable future with citizens,” adding, “We will achieve the grand goal of carbon neutrality together with citizens.”

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