In response to the public’s rising expectations for an improvement in the quality of life, the government is adopting more stringent measures on environment and health matters as well as the sustainable use and conservation of environmental resources, such as water. With the advancement in economic structure and the increasing global attention on environmental issues, the concepts of economic growth and environmental protection have become intertwined. The government, considering environmental and economic needs simultaneously, has concontrared on efforts to establish amanagement system for green growth, that is, the management of greenhouse gases, the recycling of resources, the development of environment-based industries and technology, and strengthening the ability to adapt to climate changes.
The government enacted the Environmental Health Act in 2008, which established asystem for monitoring environmental pollutants and establishing environmental quality standards. The government has adopted measures to develop environment-friendly and pleasant urban environments, which is adeparture from the passive attitude toward environmental management in the past, which mainly focused on green growth.
The government has also pushed for environmental objectives to be included in urban planning, including developing urban environmental assessment indices, guidelines for biotope maps, and promoting eco-city projects. An air pollution management system was adopted to reduce sulfur oxide, nitrous oxide and dust, which are the main air pollutants in urban areas. In 2007, the government adopted the emission trading system to encourage the voluntary participation of businesses in efforts to reduce greenhouse gases. It is also promoting the commercialization and use of low-polluting vehicles, such as hybrid cars and buses powered by natural gas.
The land planning system has been overhauled to take into greater account environmental factors. Apreliminary environmental review concerning major development plans is an example of such efforts. In the area of water environment management, the project to restore four main rivers (Han-gang, Nakdong-gang, Geum-gang, Yeongsan-gang) is closely connected with green growth, going beyond the framework of traditional water quality management.
Recent measures have also dealt with climate change and green growth initiatives. Work is underway to develop agreenhouse gas emissions coefficient, the compilation of relevant environmental statistics, providing support for the establishment of policies by local governments to deal with climate change, and creating more environment-friendly urban environments. Efforts are being made to develop green growth-related technologies and businesses, which will form the basis of the green growth movement, with the goal of expanding into overseas markets.
Source : SaKong, Il and Koh, Youngsun, 2010. The Korean Economy Six Decades of Growth and Development. Seoul: Korea Development Institute.
