Seoul pledges to cut carbon emission by 30 percent from 2020 level

By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, Nov. 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has decided on a 30-percent reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions from expected levels in 2020, Seoul's presidential
office said Tuesday, setting one of the most aggressive voluntary goals to roll
back climate change.
The decision was approved at a weekly Cabinet meeting chaired by President Lee
Myung-bak.
The goal is to cut the country's greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent from its
expected, or business as usual (BAU), level in 2020. This would be equivalent to
reducing the country's emission by 4 percent from its 2005 level, according to
the presidential office, Cheong Wa Dae.
Under the existing U.N. convention on climate change, South Korea is not required
to set emission reduction targets.
"The government made the decision for a shift in our development paradigm and
greater benefits to our nation though there will be short-term difficulties," the
president was quoted as saying during the meeting.
Seoul's move precedes a U.N. summit in Copenhagen next month to thrash out a new
deal on global warming to replace the Kyoto Protocol which expires in 2012.
Although a breakthrough at the Copenhagen meeting is unlikely, South Korea's move
will set an example for the rest of the world's developing countries to follow,
Lee said.
"South Korea's announcement of its voluntary reduction plan will be a chance to
urge the international community to act responsibly, even though there are doubts
about the Copenhagen meeting slated for the end of the year," he told the
meeting.
"It will be a chance to raise the status of our country, as well as our national
pride," the president said.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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