No doubt the green-tech sector will emerge as the nation's next-generation growth engine. But, the question is how to usher in a green revolution in the not-too-distant future. The simple answer is to develop eco-friendly technologies and put them to use. Of course, that is easier said than done.
In January 2009, the Lee Myung-bak administration announced a ``Green New Deal" to realize low-carbon, green growth. This policy has provided a new vision to the nation. However, it cannot produce successful results without concrete action plans. In fact, Korea still has a long way to go before fully going green.
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance disclosed a plan to increase the spending on research and development of green technologies to 3.5 trillion won in 2013 from 1.4 trillion won in 2008. The ministry has also vowed to provide more financial support and tax incentives to research centers and firms. It also promised to foster 1,000 small and medium enterprises specializing in green technologies by 2013.
Needless to say, the support packages reflect a sense of crisis that the nation may fall far behind advanced countries in the race for green growth. Presiding over a meeting of the Presidential Committee on Green Growth, President Lee urged businesses to make a technical breakthrough and localize parts and materials to compete with their global competitors.
It goes without saying that Korea cannot become a green-growth powerhouse without securing its own technologies. Reliance on foreign technologies will only deepen the nation's structural weakness. Actually, Korea now shows its heavy dependence on foreign technologies and equipment in such fields as solar energy and wind power.
It is certain that if a country has no core technologies, it cannot be a major player in the information and green-growth age. Korea should wake up to the stark reality that its green technology level is 25 percent to 50 percent lower than that of industrialized countries. Now, it has to go all-out to bridge the gap so that it can emerge as one of the world's green-tech leaders.
It is true that the green-growth sector has so far made little progress due to persisting uncertainties and little chance of making immediate profits. That's why the government, businesses and research institutes should work together to make long-term investment and develop key technologies.
Most of all, it is important for the nation to concentrate on areas with great potential such as renewable energy, fuel cells and electric cars. These areas are also crucial to Korea's efforts to fight climate change. It is also necessary to step up international cooperation in research and development.
Equally important is that large companies should strengthen their collaboration with smaller businesses so that they can set up a win-win strategy in the green-tech sector. Consumers are also required to change their lifestyle to lead a green way of life. Green growth should not be an empty slogan any more. It is the nation's survival strategy for sustainable growth.