Envoys Briefed on Green Growth

By Bae Ji-sook

Staff Reporter

Envoys to Korea gathered Friday to discuss the environment and share their views on the Korean government's "Green growth" policies at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in southern Seoul.

Participants agreed that the excessive consumption of fossil fuels is the direct cause of climate change, and this requires curbing through immediate and cooperative global measures.

Environment Minister Lee Maan-ee explained the government's "Low Carbon Green Growth" policy, involving 36 projects through 2012.

Lee said the projects, valued at 50-trillion-won, are aimed at establishing environmental safety nets for low-income and environmentally vulnerable people by implementing policies that make small but necessary improvements in daily lives, decreasing regulatory burdens on the private sector. The plan is expected to create 40 thousand "green jobs."

Ambassador Brain McDonald of the European Union said, "We will do all we can to support the policies and take part in them, too."

Those present at the meeting included diplomats from the embassies of the United States, India, Denmark, Nigeria, Israel, Sweden and Nepal. Also attending the event were representatives of international environmental organizations such as the United Nations Environment Program.

[출처 : 코리아타임스]