Achim Steiner
Executive director of UNEP |
By Bae Ji-sook
Staff reporter
BUSAN ㅡ This southeastern port city is about to witness a historical event in the international environmental circle: delegates from about 100 countries are discussing ways to establish an intergovernmental panel on securing biodiversity.
The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) will be given the same status as the global negotiating body the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and will be working on directions and pertinent national policies in preserving biodiversity.
Though the meeting runs until Friday, rumors are circling that an agreement on the establishment of a panel is progressing well and a positive announcement could be expected then.
Achim Steiner, executive director of the United Nations Environmental Program, said this is the perfect time for the world to acknowledge the necessity of a meeting of this kind.
"For the past several decades, substantial net gains in economic development have come at the cost of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystems. More than 60 percent of ecosystem services have been degraded in the past 50 years," he said in his interview with The Korea Times. "When it comes to the details, some states may beg to differ but in general, I think we are on a fair road to seeing some agreements," he said.
Korea a significant case
Steiner, who marked his second visit to South Korea this year, praised the country for being in a leading position when it comes to global environmental issues. Since 2008, he has remained one of the strongest supporters for the Lee Myung-bak administration's green growth strategy.
"No one has been more aggressive in cutting greenhouse gas emissions, changing the whole concept of life into being energy-efficient and environmentally friendly as Korea," he said. "It has successfully transited the way of thinking about the global environment even in the middle of financial crises. We have long advised nations to invest 1 percent of their GDP into sustainable development. By far, I pick Korea as a significant case."
Steiner said he is aware of controversies over the concept of green growth ㅡ from the four-river basin refurbishment projects to many construction-oriented plans are opposed by environmentalists among others. However, he said it is natural and that he takes it as a good sign.
"To be honest, there are always some problems stemming from individual components of the big picture. It shows the openness of the Korean society and I think the more people debate this, the more we will draw out better plans," he said. "It also shows that the central government has managed to carry out its plans all the way through to local administrations and ordinary people."
At the moment, UNEP has its heart set on another Korea. Some researchers and staff have been dispatched to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, commonly referred as North Korea, for environmental evaluations and environment training.
"The DPRK has been keen on the environmental issue as it has become a critical issue there. Water management and deforestation among others are their initial goals. They are also very much interested in climate change and its effect on them," Steiner said, assisted by Park Young-woo, regional director and representative for UNEP Asia and Pacific.
The research was suggested by the communist state, following a related report released in 2004. This time, UNEP is taking the approach a step further.
"We are not only evaluating their environment but are teaching them how to do it. We are instilling our know-how and infrastructure on them. We are also setting up environment education programs," he said. "You know, the environment could be used for political purposes, but sometimes, it goes further."
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