Research on the prioritization and appropriate levels of Korea’s policy support options to invigorate the technology innovation of direct air capture (DAC) technologies: Focusing on expert surveys using the Delphi method

Direct air capture (DAC) technologies are a key mitigation option for achieving carbon neutrality. Advanced economies have been mobilizing their resources to support the development, demonstration, and deployment of DAC technologies, and tangible mitigation outcomes have started to emerge. Against this backdrop, this study aims to analyze the current policy support for DAC technologies in Korea and to explore policy priorities and appropriate levels of support for future technological innovation. Theoretically grounded on technological innovation, this study classifies policy options with technology-push and demand-pull policies. First, the analysis of existing policy support for DAC technologies focuses on carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies, and DAC is currently positioned as a subcategory of CCUS technologies in Korea. Second, a Delphi survey was conducted with 10 experts from academia, industry, and research institutes to identify consensus on policy priorities and the appropriate scales of policy support for the technological innovation of DAC technologies. Analytical results indicate that, given Korea’s early-stage development of DAC technologies, technology-push policies such as R&D investment and demonstration subsidies should be prioritized. Among demand-pull policies, upon technological maturity, the Emission Trading System (ETS) is evaluated as the most effective tool for creating market demands for DAC technologies, assuming a higher credit price compared to the existing ETS allowance prices. This study also found consensus on appropriate support levels, providing specific numerical estimates for technology-push and demand-pull policy options. This paper concludes with policy recommendations based on these findings.