Republic of Korea
Thank you, Chairman for the opportunity to share the perspective of the Republic of Korea.
As stated in the report of the Secretary General, low-carbon green growth is a national strategy
established by our president with goal of de-coupling economic growth and environmental degradation.
In order to give it the highest priority, the Presidential Committee on Green Growth was launched in
February 2009. In July 2009, the "National Strategy and 5-Year Plan for Green Growth" was announced
after the committee?s wide consultation with stakeholders.
The three main pillars of green growth are: adaptation to climate change and energy independence;
creation of new growth engines; and improvement of the quality of life and raising of national status. It
is expected that through these strategies, sustainable consumption and production patterns can be
established.
In particular, development of green technologies, reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions of industrial
complexes, and promoting a green revolution in lifestyles are included within the 10 major policy
directions as concrete directions for action for achievement of sustainable consumption and production.
Korea?s voluntary mid-term GHG mitigation target is in line with establishing low-carbon consumption
and production patterns across all sectors of society and will be implanted through enactment and
enforcement of the Basic Act on Green Growth during this year.
As mentioned in the Secretary General?s report, the Korean government introduced, and is
implementing, eco-friendly products mandatory purchasing system in which the government is the
biggest consumer of the nation's economy and it can lead consumption and production patterns.
To boost green management of businesses, the Presidential Committee on Green Growth, the Ministry
of Knowledge Economy, the Ministry of Environment, and the Small and Medium Business
Administration jointly established the "Plan to Promote Green Management for Green Growth" in
November 2009. In line with the plan, each entity has established, and is implementing, related policies.
The Ministry of Knowledge Economy set up a "headquarters for pursuing green management" led by
the private sector, and is strengthening its support for businesses' green management. This includes
development and distribution of green management evaluation guidelines, support for start-up of green
ventures, and operating of a green management mentoring center.
To boost small businesses' green management, the Korean government is planning and carrying out
green partnership and carbon partnership projects as well as regional eco-innovation projects with plans
to continuously promote such projects.
To promote production, distribution, and purchase of eco-friendly products, the Ministry of
Environment signed a voluntary agreement on green purchase and developed and distributed green
purchase guidelines.
In order to induce voluntary environmental management, the Korean government is designating
businesses that show significant achievements in green management as "Green Companies" to enable
them to publicize their corporate image as a prestigious and environmentally-conscious company.
The Korean government is also implementing an environmental information disclosure system, which
has both voluntary and regulatory characteristics.
For establishment of sustainable consumption and production patterns, it is necessary to reduce carbon
emissions of all products. The carbon labeling system (carbon footprint labeling) is an effective policy
that targets both consumers and producers. By showing the amount of GHG emissions calculated
according to life cycle assessments of goods and services, the system can promote green consumption
by consumers and production of green products of businesses.
With regard to the role of the private sector, which is emphasized in the Secretary General?s report, the
Korean government established a network of green consumption-related organizations and is carrying
out green product promotion and education projects for consumers.
The Korean government is raising awareness of green lifestyles to encourage public participation by
actively conducting the "Green Start" campaign, which is a nationwide campaign that involves the
government, businesses and civic groups.
Both international and domestic measures are crucial to achieving sustainable consumption and
production. By sharing our national experiences, we hope to contribute to a new way of growing.
Thank you
As stated in the report of the Secretary General, low-carbon green growth is a national strategy
established by our president with goal of de-coupling economic growth and environmental degradation.
In order to give it the highest priority, the Presidential Committee on Green Growth was launched in
February 2009. In July 2009, the "National Strategy and 5-Year Plan for Green Growth" was announced
after the committee?s wide consultation with stakeholders.
The three main pillars of green growth are: adaptation to climate change and energy independence;
creation of new growth engines; and improvement of the quality of life and raising of national status. It
is expected that through these strategies, sustainable consumption and production patterns can be
established.
In particular, development of green technologies, reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions of industrial
complexes, and promoting a green revolution in lifestyles are included within the 10 major policy
directions as concrete directions for action for achievement of sustainable consumption and production.
Korea?s voluntary mid-term GHG mitigation target is in line with establishing low-carbon consumption
and production patterns across all sectors of society and will be implanted through enactment and
enforcement of the Basic Act on Green Growth during this year.
As mentioned in the Secretary General?s report, the Korean government introduced, and is
implementing, eco-friendly products mandatory purchasing system in which the government is the
biggest consumer of the nation's economy and it can lead consumption and production patterns.
To boost green management of businesses, the Presidential Committee on Green Growth, the Ministry
of Knowledge Economy, the Ministry of Environment, and the Small and Medium Business
Administration jointly established the "Plan to Promote Green Management for Green Growth" in
November 2009. In line with the plan, each entity has established, and is implementing, related policies.
The Ministry of Knowledge Economy set up a "headquarters for pursuing green management" led by
the private sector, and is strengthening its support for businesses' green management. This includes
development and distribution of green management evaluation guidelines, support for start-up of green
ventures, and operating of a green management mentoring center.
To boost small businesses' green management, the Korean government is planning and carrying out
green partnership and carbon partnership projects as well as regional eco-innovation projects with plans
to continuously promote such projects.
To promote production, distribution, and purchase of eco-friendly products, the Ministry of
Environment signed a voluntary agreement on green purchase and developed and distributed green
purchase guidelines.
In order to induce voluntary environmental management, the Korean government is designating
businesses that show significant achievements in green management as "Green Companies" to enable
them to publicize their corporate image as a prestigious and environmentally-conscious company.
The Korean government is also implementing an environmental information disclosure system, which
has both voluntary and regulatory characteristics.
For establishment of sustainable consumption and production patterns, it is necessary to reduce carbon
emissions of all products. The carbon labeling system (carbon footprint labeling) is an effective policy
that targets both consumers and producers. By showing the amount of GHG emissions calculated
according to life cycle assessments of goods and services, the system can promote green consumption
by consumers and production of green products of businesses.
With regard to the role of the private sector, which is emphasized in the Secretary General?s report, the
Korean government established a network of green consumption-related organizations and is carrying
out green product promotion and education projects for consumers.
The Korean government is raising awareness of green lifestyles to encourage public participation by
actively conducting the "Green Start" campaign, which is a nationwide campaign that involves the
government, businesses and civic groups.
Both international and domestic measures are crucial to achieving sustainable consumption and
production. By sharing our national experiences, we hope to contribute to a new way of growing.
Thank you
Stakeholders