기후변화 대응 방안으로서 이산화탄소저장활용법(CCUS법)의 환경법적 과제 ― 이산화탄소저장활용법 개정 방안을 중심으로 ―

As the global repercussions of climate change have become increasingly severe, the realization of a carbon-neutral society has emerged as a crucial challenge to be addressed by the international community. In the case of Korea, on December 10, 2020, the “2050 Carbon Neutrality Vision” was proclaimed, emphasizing emissions, absorption, and removal of emissions, and striving to attain the Net-Zero goal by 2050. However, with the growing awareness of the limitations inherent in the existing energy transition strategy, discussions have arisen concerning the enhancement of institutional frameworks for achieving carbon neutrality. Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) technology is regarded as a transitional measure and a pragmatic approach to greenhouse gas mitigation under current circumstances, where the conversion of fossil fuel-based energy systems into eco-friendly alternatives remains difficult within a short timeframe. In 2024, Korea enacted the “Act on the Promotion and Safety Management of CCUS Business” (hereinafter referred to as the “CCUS Act”) to facilitate the commercialization of CCUS technologies and to establish a comprehensive legal infrastructure. The Act was legislated to contribute to climate crisis prevention and sustainable development, and is assessed to have reinforced CCUS's status as a national strategic technology. Nonetheless, it has been pointed out that the newly enacted CCUS Act requires supplementation in various respects-such as ensuring long-term safety of storage facilities, enhancing the effectiveness of environmental impact assessment, clarifying liability allocation and compensation mechanisms in the event of damage, and institutionalizing local participation procedures. In particular, the potential conflicts with the “Polluter Pays Principle” and the “Precautionary Principle” under environmental law, as well as the absence of a clear legal foundation for continuous environmental monitoring, constitute key issues requiring further legislative review. Accordingly, it is imperative to identify effective legal and policy measures for responding to climate change through carbon dioxide storage and utilization legislation, and to explore in depth the direction of legal system improvement for realizing carbon neutrality. Accordingly, this paper examines the legal and environmental significance of enacting the CCUS Act as a response to climate change and proposes measures for institutional refinement. Furthermore, by analyzing the legal frameworks of major countries leading in CCUS implementation, this study clarifies the legal basis for promoting the use of CCUS and reviews the introduction of a risk management system tailored to the severity of the climate crisis. These proposed institutional enhancement measures and legal foundations are expected to serve as key environmental law issues in future CCUS-related legislation and policy formulation, thereby contributing to reinforcing the legal basis for achieving climate change mitigation objectives.