Korea today (November 17) announced it will unconditionally reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 4% below 2005 levels by 2020. This is the highest ambition scenario out of three potential scenarios Korea proposed earlier this year. Domestically, the announcement is a major shift and internationally it represents a welcome boost to the international response to climate change.

 

In response to the announcement, Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, said 'Today's announcement from South Korea, following Brazil's in the last few says, shows that we can build momentum towards December.'

 

 

President Lee Myung-bak started consulting on the target scenarios in August. The 2020 target to reduce GHG emissions to 4% below 2005 will be implemented unilaterally – that is, regardless of a Copenhagen agreement. Sectoral targets will be set next year and managed under a 'GHG and Energy Target Management Scheme', which will help support industry meet the emissions commitments.

 

President Lee Myung-bak said the target was in the wider national interest and hoped it will trigger further international efforts 'South Korea's voluntary announcement of the national reduction target will be a chance to urge the international community to make responsible efforts,' he said.

 

The IPCC recommends that developing nations cut emissions by 15-30 percent from expected 2020 levels. President Lee's main climate aide, Kim Sang-hyup, said the targets were some of the 'highest-level target' that the IPCC recommends.'We don't have any legal obligation, but we want to take action voluntarily,' he said. 'We hope our move will have effects on other nations so that the Copenhagen meeting can achieve good results.'

 

Related links

SKorea sets greenhouse gas reduction target, Google 17 November 2009

Korea pledges to cut CO2 30% by 2020, The Korea Herald 17 November 2009

South Korea pledges emissions cuts, Financial Times 17 November 2009

South Korea pledges 30 per cent emissions cuts, AltAssets 18 November 2009

SKorea sets greenhouse gas reduction targets, Business Week 17 November 2009