ID :
86892
Fri, 10/30/2009 - 22:49
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/86892
The shortlink copeid
Gov't moving too quickly to reduce greenhouse gas emissions: minister
SEOUL, Oct. 30 (Yonhap) -- The government is moving too quickly to adopt steps to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions despite the potential negative fallout such moves
could have on the job market and industrial competitiveness, a senior policymaker
said Friday.
In a meeting of business leaders in downtown Seoul, Knowledge Economy Minister
Choi Kyoung-hwan said there is a need to assess the repercussions that could
occur should the country move to slash emissions.
The remarks by the minister, who was appointed early last month, come as South
Korea's business community has begun voicing concerns over possible steps to
lower the total amount of carbon dioxide and other gases released into the
atmosphere in the coming years.
The Presidential Committee on Green Growth said in early August that it is
reviewing a plan that could lead to a 4 percent reduction in greenhouse gases in
2020 vis-a-vis 2005. With its dependence on heavy industry and petrochemicals,
the country is the world's 16th largest greenhouse gas producer.
"There is a need to examine how many jobs could be lost and the effects on the
overall competitiveness of key industries," Choi said.
The country needs to carefully follow global developments and to make strategic
decisions based on their reading of these shifts, Choi said.
Ministry sources, meanwhile, said that Choi's remarks highlight worries
circulating throughout the business community and that they do not conflict with
the Lee Myung-bak administration's goal of promoting eco-friendly growth.
"The minister's intent was to point out the need to take measured steps in
regards to making cuts so as to minimize repercussions," an official said.
South Korea is currently not obliged to cut greenhouse gases although there is
growing international pressure to join the reduction effort after 2012, when the
provisions of the Kyoto Protocol agreement expire.
The Kyoto Protocol, adopted in late 1997, is an extension of the international
Framework Convention on Climate Change that went into effect on Feb. 16, 2005.
Among its over 180 signatories, Japan and 36 countries from the European Union
are Annex 1 countries that have pledged to cut greenhouse gases.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
reduce greenhouse gas emissions despite the potential negative fallout such moves
could have on the job market and industrial competitiveness, a senior policymaker
said Friday.
In a meeting of business leaders in downtown Seoul, Knowledge Economy Minister
Choi Kyoung-hwan said there is a need to assess the repercussions that could
occur should the country move to slash emissions.
The remarks by the minister, who was appointed early last month, come as South
Korea's business community has begun voicing concerns over possible steps to
lower the total amount of carbon dioxide and other gases released into the
atmosphere in the coming years.
The Presidential Committee on Green Growth said in early August that it is
reviewing a plan that could lead to a 4 percent reduction in greenhouse gases in
2020 vis-a-vis 2005. With its dependence on heavy industry and petrochemicals,
the country is the world's 16th largest greenhouse gas producer.
"There is a need to examine how many jobs could be lost and the effects on the
overall competitiveness of key industries," Choi said.
The country needs to carefully follow global developments and to make strategic
decisions based on their reading of these shifts, Choi said.
Ministry sources, meanwhile, said that Choi's remarks highlight worries
circulating throughout the business community and that they do not conflict with
the Lee Myung-bak administration's goal of promoting eco-friendly growth.
"The minister's intent was to point out the need to take measured steps in
regards to making cuts so as to minimize repercussions," an official said.
South Korea is currently not obliged to cut greenhouse gases although there is
growing international pressure to join the reduction effort after 2012, when the
provisions of the Kyoto Protocol agreement expire.
The Kyoto Protocol, adopted in late 1997, is an extension of the international
Framework Convention on Climate Change that went into effect on Feb. 16, 2005.
Among its over 180 signatories, Japan and 36 countries from the European Union
are Annex 1 countries that have pledged to cut greenhouse gases.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
