By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-bak Wednesday proposed a regional body to fight climate change, saying he would play a bridging role between developing and industrialized countries to help the world achieve its goal of halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
In his speech at an expanded Group of Eight summit in Toyako, Japan, Lee proposed the ``East Asia Climate Partnership,'' under which South Korea, Japan and China will implement joint programs to cut carbon emissions and develop environmental technologies. The countries will need some $200 million to launch pilot programs, he said.
``Through the partnership, East Asia will be able to attain higher economic growth and cut carbon emissions at the same time,'' Lee said. ``By joining hands to develop emission-reducing technologies, the countries can create jobs and new markets. It will become a new driver of economic growth.''
Lee said he would fully support international efforts to cut carbon emissions.
In a statement released Wednesday, leaders of the G8 nations and emerging economies said they plan a ``common but differentiated'' approach to combat climate change.
``Climate change is one of the great global challenges of our time,'' the statement said. While saying deep cuts in emissions are necessary, the statement gave no deadline or numerical targets.
The G8 leaders Tuesday agreed to halve global carbon emissions by 2050. President George W. Bush opposed setting any numerical target, insisting major developing economies, such as China and India, should join global campaigns to tackle climate change.
Lee said, ``South Korea is willing to play a bridging role between developed and developing countries and help the world find common ground on addressing climate change.''
South Korea will set up a mid-term roadmap to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 and announce the measures as early as next year, he said.
Lee is the first South Korean president to be invited to an expanded G8 summit, also involving the leaders of non-G8 nations, such as China, India, Brazil, Mexico and Australia.
Through a series of meetings with the leaders, Lee shared the importance of environmental protection and its positive side for economic growth.
He was lauded as a ``Hero of the Environment" by Time magazine for his work to restore Cheonggyecheon Stream through downtown Seoul while serving as Seoul mayor in the early 2000s.