Korea to Export Green Growth Programs
By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter
The government-proposed bill on green growth plans, approved by the National Assembly Tuesday, is expected to set an example for other countries which are preparing for similar measures to brace for the era of green growth, a presidential secretary said Wednesday.
``The legislation is a big step forward for the government. We will focus on laying the groundwork for making Korea a global leader in the green growth sector,'' said Kim Sang-hyup, secretary for future and vision.
``It is meaningful in that many countries, including the United States, Japan, China and India, have not yet set up similar laws. Korea's Green Growth Law will be an example for them.''
Under the law, the country will initiate various programs to develop green technologies into new growth engines.
Korea plans to increase its portion of renewable energy to the nation's entire energy consumption from 2.4 percent last year to over 11 percent by 2030.
It will also build one million ``green homes,'' entirely dependent on new renewable energy, and become the world's fourth-largest producer of environmentally-friendly cars by 2020.
The government will further reinforce research and exploration of natural resources in the Arctic Ocean and Antarctica, as part of a drive to secure offshore energy.
Such programs are in line with President Lee Myung-bak's vision of creating a ``green and low-carbon'' society by actively participating in global efforts to fight climate change and develop clean sources of energy, according to the secretary.
This year, Korea has taken important steps toward becoming a green economic power.
Last month, the administration announced a plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 4 percent by 2020 from 2005 levels, becoming the first emerging nation to set up a carbon reduction goal. The figure represents a 30-percent reduction from the emission level predicted for 2020.
It also initiated a $43 billion Green New Deal programs to improve infrastructure and foster core environmental technologies that will be vital for the country's future. The country plans to spend 2 percent of gross domestic product for green growth projects, twice the amount recommended by the United Nations, officials said.