ID :
46001
Tue, 02/17/2009 - 08:41
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/46001
The shortlink copeid
S. Korean biz to voluntarily reduce greenhouse gas
By Lee Joon-seung
SEOUL, Feb. 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korean businesses will engage in aggressive,
voluntary greenhouse gas reduction efforts that could significantly enhance the
country's ability to manage emission levels by 2020, the government said Tuesday.
The plan, led by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), calls for
disclosure of greenhouse gas emissions by region and for outlining future efforts
to reduce the release of gases that contribute to global warming, the Ministry of
Knowledge Economy said.
"The effort is noteworthy since it is a follow-up to the declaration made last
June, when local industries pledged to improve gas emission control by 40 percent
in 2020 compared to 2005," Yeo Han-koo, head of the ministry's climate change
policy team, said.
The official said regional committees will be set up in the five largest urban
industrial centers such as Busan, Daegu and Ulsan by the end of March to make
detailed plans for greenhouse gas reduction. Efforts will gradually be expanded
to encompass the entire country.
Introducing cleaner production processes, developing gas-capturing technologies
and planting trees are some methods that can be used to cut back on greenhouse
gases released into the atmosphere.
In addition, the ministry said local civic groups will promote "carbon neutral"
programs and engage in training and public advertising to highlight the
importance of reducing carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydroflurocarbons
and other gases.
"Carbon neutral" refers to achieving net zero carbon emissions by balancing
carbon released with carbon captured or offset by planting trees.
"The announcement by companies comes at an opportune time, since this year marks
the start of talks to adopt a new roadmap that can continue the process of the
current Kyoto Protocol that expires in 2012," said Yeo.
The protocol, adopted in December 1997, is an extension of the Framework
Convention on Climate Change that went into effect on Feb. 16, 2005 and calls for
Annex-1 countries like Japan and many European Union member states to reduce
their greenhouse gas emissions from January 2008-2012 by an average of 5 percent
compared to their 1990 levels.
South Korea is a Non-Annex 1 member of the Kyoto Protocol and not obliged to cut
greenhouse gas output, but it may be compelled to join a worldwide program to
reduce greenhouse gases after 2013.
The country is one of the top ten importers of oil and gas, and became the
16th-largest producer of greenhouse gases in the world as of 2005. In that year,
the country was estimated to have emitted 538 million tons of greenhouse gases.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, Feb. 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korean businesses will engage in aggressive,
voluntary greenhouse gas reduction efforts that could significantly enhance the
country's ability to manage emission levels by 2020, the government said Tuesday.
The plan, led by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), calls for
disclosure of greenhouse gas emissions by region and for outlining future efforts
to reduce the release of gases that contribute to global warming, the Ministry of
Knowledge Economy said.
"The effort is noteworthy since it is a follow-up to the declaration made last
June, when local industries pledged to improve gas emission control by 40 percent
in 2020 compared to 2005," Yeo Han-koo, head of the ministry's climate change
policy team, said.
The official said regional committees will be set up in the five largest urban
industrial centers such as Busan, Daegu and Ulsan by the end of March to make
detailed plans for greenhouse gas reduction. Efforts will gradually be expanded
to encompass the entire country.
Introducing cleaner production processes, developing gas-capturing technologies
and planting trees are some methods that can be used to cut back on greenhouse
gases released into the atmosphere.
In addition, the ministry said local civic groups will promote "carbon neutral"
programs and engage in training and public advertising to highlight the
importance of reducing carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydroflurocarbons
and other gases.
"Carbon neutral" refers to achieving net zero carbon emissions by balancing
carbon released with carbon captured or offset by planting trees.
"The announcement by companies comes at an opportune time, since this year marks
the start of talks to adopt a new roadmap that can continue the process of the
current Kyoto Protocol that expires in 2012," said Yeo.
The protocol, adopted in December 1997, is an extension of the Framework
Convention on Climate Change that went into effect on Feb. 16, 2005 and calls for
Annex-1 countries like Japan and many European Union member states to reduce
their greenhouse gas emissions from January 2008-2012 by an average of 5 percent
compared to their 1990 levels.
South Korea is a Non-Annex 1 member of the Kyoto Protocol and not obliged to cut
greenhouse gas output, but it may be compelled to join a worldwide program to
reduce greenhouse gases after 2013.
The country is one of the top ten importers of oil and gas, and became the
16th-largest producer of greenhouse gases in the world as of 2005. In that year,
the country was estimated to have emitted 538 million tons of greenhouse gases.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
