Seoul expected to aim for 4 pct greenhouse gas cut by 2020

(ATTN: ADDS president's comments in paras 6-7, UPDATES with details from para 8,
minor edits; RESTRUCTURES)
By Kim Boram
SEOUL, Nov. 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will likely set its 2020 greenhouse gas
reduction target at 4 percent below the 2005 level in a bid to transform itself
into a "green" country, government officials said Thursday.
A presidential committee has been reviewing three options on the amount of the
reduction and narrowed it down to two, including returning to the 2005 level. The
other option of an 8-percent increase from the 2005 level was dropped, officials
said.
The government will make a final decision at a Cabinet meeting on Nov. 17 after
consultations with political parties, they said.
South Korea emitted 594 million tons of carbon dioxide in 2005, ranking ninth
among member nations of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
(OECD).
The plan is likely to face opposition from the business community, which argues
the 4-percent target is too steep and that the heavy cost involved could
seriously undermine their competitiveness.
"The transition to green technology and a low-carbon industry is key to the
economic growth of a nation and a decisive factor in deciding the future status
of the country," President Lee Myung-bak said during a meeting of the
Presidential Committee on Green Growth.
"Green growth and tackling climate change are not only our goals but also global
goals. South Korea can contribute to the human race, as well as to improving
quality of life through new types of growth."
The reduction targets and other comprehensive eco-friendly projects were compiled
by ministries and reported to the president after what officials described as
more than 70 rounds of discussion.
The plan would make it mandatory for building owners to reduce energy
consumption, including a 60 percent cut for temperature control by 2017.
So-called "zero energy" buildings equipped with energy-producing facilities,
including solar and wind power and geothermal heat, are expected to replace
conventional buildings from 2025.
Tax benefits will be offered to owners of buildings that receive eco-friendly
certificates or high energy efficiency ratings, according to the presidential
committee.
The government will also bolster green transportation systems for railroad and
bicycles. The 813 kilometer-long urban railway will be extended to 1,054
kilometers by 2012 to encourage commuters to take the train instead of driving to
work.
Parking lots for bicycles at public buildings and bicycle lanes are also included
in the plan.
The number of "green jobs" will reach 800,000 in 2013, up from 200,000 in 2008.
Over 1 trillion won will be invested in fostering experts on green technology and
carbon-trading.
South Korea is not obliged to cut greenhouse gases, as the Kyoto Protocol
categorizes Asia's fourth-largest economy as a developing country.
But as one of the world's biggest greenhouse gas producers, it declared a
voluntary reduction and is urging other developing nations to follow suit.
brk@yna.co.kr
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