Lee seeks to establish a global ‘green’ think tank
Published: 17 Dec. 2009, 20:06
Korea announced yesterday a plan to establish a global think tank to advocate low-carbon, green growth strategies to the world in an effort to fight climate change while pursuing economic development.
In his keynote address at the Copenhagen climate conference, President Lee Myung-bak announced plans to open the Global Green Growth Institute during the first half of next year. Lee arrived at the Danish capital city yesterday to meet with the world leaders in the annual climate change conference. He said the world agrees on the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the Copenhagen conference should focus on “how” to do so.
Lee said green growth is Korea’s new national vision, and the country annually invests 2 percent of GDP into research and development of new green technologies and infrastructure, in addition to the nation’s recent voluntary announcement of goals to cut emissions.
“And I hope to share this with all of you,” Lee said according to the text of the English-language speech provided by the Blue House. “This is one reason why Korea will establish a Global Green Growth Institute, or GGGI, during the first half of next year. The GGGI will help all of us share our experiences and know-how with each other.”
Lee said renowned experts at home and abroad have already agreed to participate in the think tank. The Blue House said that members of the institute will include Nicholas Stern, chairman of a climate change institute at the London School of Economics; Thomas Heller, a professor emeritus of international legal studies at Stanford Law School and head of the Climate Policy Initiative; Hal Harvey, the chief executive of the ClimateWorks Foundation; and Eric Beinhocker, a senior fellow at the McKinsey Global Institute .
The Blue House said the think tank will also open five branches around the world by 2012. Through the project, Korea will pay special attention to emerging countries in Asia to help them develop tailor-made green growth strategies, the Blue House said. Lee also made official Korea’s bid to host the annual climate conference in 2012. In his address, titled “Taking Action Together,” Lee also urged global leaders to be more active in the efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
“Instead of saying ‘you first,’ we should start by doing ‘me first,’” Lee said, stressing that he believes the “me first attitude” is the fastest way to save the planet.
By Ser Myo-ja [[email protected]]
In his keynote address at the Copenhagen climate conference, President Lee Myung-bak announced plans to open the Global Green Growth Institute during the first half of next year. Lee arrived at the Danish capital city yesterday to meet with the world leaders in the annual climate change conference. He said the world agrees on the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the Copenhagen conference should focus on “how” to do so.
Lee said green growth is Korea’s new national vision, and the country annually invests 2 percent of GDP into research and development of new green technologies and infrastructure, in addition to the nation’s recent voluntary announcement of goals to cut emissions.
“And I hope to share this with all of you,” Lee said according to the text of the English-language speech provided by the Blue House. “This is one reason why Korea will establish a Global Green Growth Institute, or GGGI, during the first half of next year. The GGGI will help all of us share our experiences and know-how with each other.”
Lee said renowned experts at home and abroad have already agreed to participate in the think tank. The Blue House said that members of the institute will include Nicholas Stern, chairman of a climate change institute at the London School of Economics; Thomas Heller, a professor emeritus of international legal studies at Stanford Law School and head of the Climate Policy Initiative; Hal Harvey, the chief executive of the ClimateWorks Foundation; and Eric Beinhocker, a senior fellow at the McKinsey Global Institute .
The Blue House said the think tank will also open five branches around the world by 2012. Through the project, Korea will pay special attention to emerging countries in Asia to help them develop tailor-made green growth strategies, the Blue House said. Lee also made official Korea’s bid to host the annual climate conference in 2012. In his address, titled “Taking Action Together,” Lee also urged global leaders to be more active in the efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
“Instead of saying ‘you first,’ we should start by doing ‘me first,’” Lee said, stressing that he believes the “me first attitude” is the fastest way to save the planet.
By Ser Myo-ja [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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