KOREA SDGs Activities through Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion and Discharged Ocean Water Application

Abstract

Climate change is intensifying meteorological variability and the risk of flooding, while shortages of essential resources such as food, energy, and water are threatening humanity's sustainable survival and health. The KOREA (Korea Ocean Renewable Energy Applying) SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) Program is being promoted to share and support technologies secured for utilizing seawater resources, which enable circular regeneration while minimizing environmental impact, with island nations in the equatorial belt facing the climate crisis. This enhances the ability of target countries to develop, utilize, and manage their ocean environment and seawater resources (SDG#14) through ODA (Official Development Aids) project. Specifically, it improves food security (SDG#2), access to drinking water (SDG#6), and energy (SDG#7) in ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) and discharge ocean water application (DOWA) for coastal communities through education and practical training in SSUA (Sustainable Seawater Utilization Academy; SDG#4), thereby supporting climate action (SDG#13) to build sustainable communities (SDG#11). These initiatives have been implemented or are currently underway in Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, and Fiji. As a climate action program utilizing seawater resources, its widespread adoption could significantly help coastal nations achieve their Sustainable Development Goals.