Core Insights - The rapid development of the global renewable energy industry has made the recycling and reuse of waste batteries a significant issue, with South Korea establishing a unique model in this area through innovative green finance tools, effectively alleviating environmental pressure and promoting the development of a circular economy [1] Group 1: Key Measures of South Korea's Green Finance Support for Waste Battery Recycling - South Korea has prioritized waste battery recycling and reuse as a key area for green finance support, creating a multi-layered financial support system through policy guidance, product innovation, and market cultivation [2] - A dual-driven mechanism of "legal compulsion + financial incentives" has been established, with the revised Resource Conservation and Recycling Act of 2021 mandating battery producers to take on recycling responsibilities, linking recycling targets to green finance support [2] - As of 2024, 23 waste battery recycling companies in South Korea have received certification under the "Battery Circular Finance Certification System," leading to an average reduction of 1.8 percentage points in industry financing costs [2] Group 2: Analysis of the Advantages and Disadvantages of the South Korean Model - The South Korean model shows significant advantages, including deep collaboration between policy and financial tools, with recycling targets integrated into green finance certification standards, creating a closed loop of "legal requirements—financial incentives—market response" [3] - Comprehensive financial services covering the entire industry chain have been developed, with targeted credit, leasing, and securitization products addressing funding needs at various stages from collection to reuse [3] - A robust risk prevention mechanism is in place, utilizing government risk compensation and specialized insurance products to mitigate environmental and market risks during the recycling process [3] - However, there are shortcomings, such as insufficient financial support for imported waste batteries and a mismatch between the average term of green loans (3-5 years) and the typical profitability timeline of waste battery recycling projects (5-8 years) [3] Group 3: Implications for China's Resource Recycling and Reuse - It is recommended that China constructs a comprehensive green finance support system, drawing on South Korea's "policy guidance + product innovation" model, incorporating waste battery recycling targets into the green finance evaluation system and providing financing incentives for compliant enterprises [4] - Establishing a "waste battery recycling risk compensation fund" could help mitigate risks associated with loans issued by financial institutions for recycling [4] - To promote balanced regional development, pilot programs for "battery recycling green finance" could be initiated in provinces with concentrated new energy vehicle industries, integrating credit, funds, and insurance tools [4] - The South Korean experience demonstrates that green finance is an effective tool for promoting waste battery recycling, but its effectiveness requires policy coordination, product innovation, and international cooperation [4]