ID :
109734
Thu, 03/04/2010 - 11:24
Auther :

S. Korea supports int'l cooperation on 'green' economic growth: official

SEOUL, March 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is committed to supporting international cooperation on eco-friendly green growth, a senior government official said Thursday.

Vice Knowledge Economy Minister Rim Che-min said at the South Korea-Organization
for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) workshop in Seoul that local
companies are engaged in active measures to strive for growth that does not
threaten the environment.
"Local businesses are taking active measures to reduce energy consumption and
pollution in such areas as steelmaking, petrochemicals, semiconductors and
displays," he said. He stressed Seoul is taking steps to promote research and
development in green technologies.
The official said that in order for green growth to be effective, there is a need
to form international partnerships with the OECD at its center.
"To facilitate such a partnership, South Korea plans to do its part," he said.
Late last year, South Korea said it wants to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 30
percent from its forecast, or business as usual (BAU), level in 2020 compared to
2005.
In addition, companies have said they will move to make products that release
minimal amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases are
cited for causing global warming.
Foreign experts at the two-day workshop that ends Friday praised Seoul for
implementing "green new deal" policies last year that helped the country to
respond effectively to the worldwide economic crisis.
Seoul's economy grew 0.2 percent on-year in 2009. This is better than the minus
growth posted for most OECD countries.
Mario Amano, deputy secretary-general of the OECD, said South Korea is currently
a leader in implementing green growth policies that can ensure sustainable
growth. He added that "innovation" is the key to success in this field.
The workshop is a follow-up to the OECD's Green Growth Declaration accepted in
June 2009. The 30-member organization said it will try to come up with an OECD
Green Growth Strategy in May 2011 to outline broad policies that can be pursued
in the future.
South Korea said it wants to be a leading country advocating green growth for
OECD members and other countries interested in cutting back on waste and reducing
damage to the environment.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)

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