Rankings on climate change related fields within Environmental Performance Index
|
Classification |
Year 2012 |
Year 2010 |
|
CO₂ emission per person |
116th |
118th |
|
New & renewable energy |
110th |
- |
|
CO₂ emission for unit of electric power (KWh) |
77th |
78th |
|
CO₂ emission per GDP |
91th |
- |
Source: Ministry of Environment
Although South Korea considers itself as the forefront in green growth, it is revealed that South Korea remains in the lower ranks in areas of reducing green-house gas emission and expanding new & renewable energy which are the real execution points.
According to Ministry of Environment, the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) announced by the World Economic Forum last month, South Korea placed 43th overall from 132 counties.
But, the index showed the level of responsiveness on climate change which are related to green growth, South Korea recorded △116th, CO₂ emission per person △110th, New & renewable energy △77th, CO₂ emission for unit of electric power (KWh) △91th, CO₂ emission per GDP. Especially, CO₂ emission for unit of electric power (KWh) went down 1 place to 77th from 78th of last year.
The execution grade is poor compared to the active roles South Korea has been performing since 2008 as a pioneer of green growth in the international community.
In the area of water sanitation, indoor air quality, pesticide regulation, and sulfur dioxide (SO2) per GDP where the government had its focus on water and air policy, the result was reflected and improved. However, reducing the green-house gas emission and expanding new & renewable energy, which possessed industrial and natural factors, were not improved.
An official from the Ministry of Environment stated, “We have to prioritize and carry on with the policy in the area of climate change where we were assessed poorly. Thus, we need to strengthen the effectiveness of green-house gas and energy target controls, and to enact the emission trading law as soon as possible.”
Source: etnews
