Yi Whan-woo is a Korea Times journalist primarily covering finance. He writes in-depth articles on macroeconomy and financial markets and previously covered sports, politics, diplomacy and inter-Korean affairs, among others. Feel free to contact him at yistory@koreatimes.co.kr.
Minister to present green policy at UN
By Yi Whan-woo
Minister of Environment Yoo Young-sook will attend the Rio+20 Conference in Brazil alongside President Lee Myun-bak, which will open Wednesday for a three-day run.
The ministry said Yoo will showcase Korea’s green growth policy and discuss sustainable development strategies based on green economies with his counterparts.
The meeting under the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) will draw more than 50,000 participants from 190 countries.
UNEP has hosted the conference every 10 years since 1992, and participants will discuss the best practices of green growth, selected as the theme at the 2002 meeting.
“Our green growth policy perfectly fits into the theme, and I anticipate that the participants will share our plans,” Yoo said.
Some of the policies Yoo will share include green credit cards, a points-reward system for credit card users who practice a green lifestyle. Holders are given 1 to 5 percent of the price as reward points every time they purchase eco-friendly products designated by the government or use public transportation.
“This is an idea that a number of representatives have shown interest in even before the conference and we hope their countries will adopt this system,” a ministry official said.