South Korean News: Fuel ration seems to have been dismantled in N. Korea: report (03 Feb 2014)

Fuel ration seems to have been dismantled in N. Korea: report

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Date 2014-02-03

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SEOUL, Feb. 3 (Yonhap) -- A fuel ration system in North Korea seems to have been dismantled due to a chronic fuel shortage, a report said Monday. The report by the state-run Korea Energy Economics Institute (KEEI) said a majority of households in North Korea secure their fuel for heating and cooking on the black market or by themselves, hinting that the country's fuel ration system might have been scrapped. The report was made on the basis of data compiled from a poll of 350 North Korean defectors who fled the country after 2011. According to the report, 51.1 percent of the North's households bought their heating and cooking fuel on the market, with 42 percent gathering their fuel, such as firewood, by themselves. Only 6.8 percent of them were provided with fuel for heating and cooking through the country's fuel ration channel. The energy consumption of a North Korean household was estimated at 0.291 tons of oil equivalent (TOE) as of 2011. The TOE is a unit of energy which is equivalent to the amount of energy released by burning one ton of crude oil. The consumption of energy gaining from coal briquettes accounted for 36.8 percent of the total, reaching 0.107 TOE, followed by wood with 0.069 TOE, electricity with 0.038 TOE, oil products with 0.025 TOE and propane gas with 0.023 TOE. The energy consumption for heating took up 50.9 percent of the total, amounting to 0.148 TOE. The KEEI said a program for fuel aid to North Korea should be mapped out on the basis of exact data on the energy consumption in the North's private sector. source from: http://www.keei.re.kr/main.nsf/index_en.html?open&p=%2Fweb_keei%2Fen_news.nsf%2Fxmlmain2%2FC8637A8F98349DA249257C7B00039088&s=%3FOpenDocument%26menucode%3DES91

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Korea News: Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute and Korea Industrial Complex Corporation join hands to support SMES in Eco-Industrial Park (12 Nov 2013)

Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute and Korea Industrial

 Complex Corporation join hands to support SMES in Eco-Industrial Park

Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute (KEITI) and Korea Industrial Corporation (KICC) signed an MOU to support small-and medium-sized enterprises in an eco-industrial park (EIP) at the head office of KICC in Seoul on November 12.

The MOU is aimed at creating environment jobs and facilitating business opportunities for the companies to participate in the EIP project, which is expected to create quality jobs with a huge growth potential. 

Major projects to be jointly conducted by KEITI and KICC are 1) supporting establishment of EIP and exchanging information on the policy needs of companies, 2) providing environmental policy financing and supporting green technology development, and 3) designating excellent environmental companies and granting green certificate for new technology.

In addition, 4) helping SMEs to export and enter foreign markets, 5) supporting green products and green management of companies including Eco-labeling, and 6) promote and provide education on EIP project for companies moving in EIP. These projects will help enhance competiveness of environmental companies and SMEs.

By encouraging companies’ participation in the project including environmental technology development and SME’s export abroad, it is expected to help the public better recognize the benefits of policy support.

KEITI will promote the environmental policy financing support project by having a nationwide presentation after signing the MOU. Both KEITI and KICC will continuously work together to boost local economy and create quality jobs in pursuit of win-win development.

An official from KEITI said that the MOU will contribute to fostering the environmental industry and creating environmental jobs by linking KEITI’s proprietary projects to those of KICC. He added that the joint cooperation will result in creating new values, which is a key goal of Government 3.0.

source from: http://eng.me.go.kr/board.do?method=view&docSeq=12031&bbsCode=new_news&currentPage=1&searchType=&searchText=&categoryCode=

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Korean News: ‘Green Company Awards & Global Eco-Friendly Management Conference 2013’ to be held (8 Nov 2013)

‘Green Company Awards & Global Eco-Friendly Management

 Conference 2013’ to be held

The Ministry of Environment (MOE) holds the ‘Green Company Awards & Global Eco-Friendly Management Conference 2013’ at Grand Ballroom, JW Marriott Hotel, Seoul on November 6.

The event, which marks its 3^rd anniversary, is aimed at providing participants with a platform to share latest environmental issues and companies’ environmentally-friendly management and find ways to pursue green management.

About 200 participants, including Mr. Jeong Yeon-man, the Vice Minister of Environment, from industry and academia at home and abroad will attend the event.

The Grand Prize of ‘Green Company Awards 2013’ that honors the companies taking a lead in performing and spreading green management will be awarded to Changwon Plant of LG Electronics.

The Top Prize will be awarded to West Incheon Power Division of Korea Western Power Co., Ltd. and the Excellence Prize will be given to Ochang Plant of Yuhan Co., Ltd. as well as Incheon Plant of Dongbu Steel. And, a small-and-medium sized company, M.Dohmen Korea Ltd., will win the Special Prize for its excellence in eco-friendly management.

MOE took a comprehensive evaluation for the awards with the criteria of environmental management system, resource and energy conservation, environmental pollutants reduction, environmental safety management and corporate social responsibility (CSR).

After the awards ceremony in the morning session, the ‘Global Eco-Friendly Management Conference 2013’ will be held in the afternoon. At the conference composed of two sessions, the participants from home and abroad will give presentations and have in-depth discussions.

An official from MOE said that company’s green management is emphasized more than ever a series of environmental accidents occurred recently. He added that the ‘Green Company Awards & Global Eco-Friendly Management Conference 2013’ will help companies raise their awareness on eco-friendly management and improve CSR in the field of environment. 

source from: http://eng.me.go.kr/board.do?method=view&docSeq=12013&bbsCode=new_news&currentPage=1&searchType=&searchText=&categoryCode=

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South Korean Updates: ‘Car-Free Week’ to be held from Sep 30 to Oct 6 (26 Sep 2013)

‘Car-Free Week’ to be held from Sep 30 to Oct 6

webmaster

2013.09.26

Marking World Car Free Day on September 22 every year, the Ministry of Environment (MOE) will hold ‘Car-Free Week’ for one week from September 30 to October 6 across the nation.

World Car Free Day, first led by the town of La Roche in France in 1997, has become a global event joined by 2,158 cities in 39 countries worldwide with an aim to give up using cars at least for one day.

MOE has carried out campaigns to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using fewer cars with local governments and civic groups since 2008.  

The dates of this year’s Car-Free Week, which is supposed to fall from September 22, are adjusted considering Chuseok holidays. The theme of Korea’s Car-Free Week is ‘Clean Air- It’s your move!’ quoting the slogan of European Mobility Week.

MOE and Metropolitan Air Quality Management Office (MAMO) opened an official website for car-free campaign (www.carfreeday.kr) to raise citizens’ awareness and participation in the event.

As a part of street events, a polar bear’s free hug event and photo session will be held on the 30th in Gwanghwamun square, and an exhibition of environmentally-friendly works will be staged by October 6 in Gwanghwamun station.

In addition, the officials working in Government Complex in Seoul, Gwacheon and Sejong will voluntarily join the event of ‘commuting without a car’ on September 30.

The local governments and civic groups across the nation will designate a specific day for car-free day from September 30 and carry out campaigns to promote the use of public transportation.

Source: 

http://eng.me.go.kr/board.do?method=view&docSeq=11888&bbsCode=new_news&currentPage=1&searchType=&searchText=&categoryCode=

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South Korean Updates: S. Korean flag carriers agree to voluntarily cut greenhouse gas emissions (13 Sep 2013)

S. Korean flag carriers agree to voluntarily cut greenhouse gas emissions

September 13, 2013
Yonhap News Agency

SEOUL, Sept. 13 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's flag carriers will work to further reduce their greenhouse gas emissions through improving the fuel efficiency of their aircraft and other measures, the government said Friday.

The country's seven airlines will voluntarily cut their greenhouse gas emissions under an agreement signed with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

The airlines will be given additional starting points, depending on their performance of the agreement, when applying for new air routes, the ministry said in a press release.

The agreement comes as the amount of greenhouse gas emissions by the seven flag carriers is expected to reach 22 million tons in 2020, up from 17 million tons in 2010, and 37 million tons in 2050.

Since 2010, the companies have reduced their emissions by a combined total of 1.05 million tons while also cutting their use of fuel by some 330,000 tons under three voluntary pledges, according to the ministry. The seven flag carriers are Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air, Air Busan, Jin Air, Eastar Jet and T'way Air.

Under the latest agreement, the companies will also seek to improve the fuel efficiency of their aircraft by over 2 percent, partly by introducing new and more efficient aircraft, as well as reducing the weight of their existing aircraft.

bdk@yna.co.kr

(END)

Source: 
http://www.keei.re.kr/main.nsf/index_en.html?open&p=%2Fweb_keei%2Fen_news.nsf%2Fxmlmain%2F9F2EB01F65359E5449257BE5002CE3AC&s=%3FOpenDocument%26menucode%3DES90

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South Korean Updates: Risk assessment on Vespa velutina nigrithorax to be conducted (16 Sep 2013)

Risk assessment on Vespa velutina nigrithorax to be conducted

2013.09.16

A risk assessment on Vespa velutina nigrithorax, an unwelcome guest in cities threatening the public safety, will be carried out to reduce damages. National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER) under the Ministry of Environment conducted a close investigation for risk assessment of invasive hornet ecosystem in order to scientifically analyze the spread of Vespa velutina nigrithorax and come up with countermeasures.

Vespa velutina nigrithorax, a suptropical invasive insect, is known as ‘honeybee killer’ for hunting native bees in Korea.

The investigation, jointly conducted by NIER, Yeungnam University and Andong National University until November, will collect data regarding Vespa velutina nigrithorax such as distribution, spread path, damages on living thing, farms and human body, types of habitat and breeding characteristics.

Also, NIER requested 16 Fire Safety Headquarters across the nation to take and share photos of hornet to confirm the distribution of the hornet. After collecting data, NIER will set up a management plan, which might include designation of Vespa velutina nigrithorax as ecosystem-disturbing species depending on the result of risk assessment.

Since first conducted in 2011 under the Biodiversity Act, the risk assessment of invasive species has laid an institutional foundation for managing those species by designating the ones with high ecology risk as ecosystem-disturbing species.

An official from NIER said that the Institute will make full use of the risk assessment for preparing effective management measures to reduce damages from Vespa velutina nigrithorax. He also added that NIER will do its best to raise the public’s awareness on invasive species and ecosystem-disturbing species to minimize harmful damages. 

Source: 

http://eng.me.go.kr/board.do?method=view&docSeq=11848&bbsCode=new_news&currentPage=1&searchType=&searchText=&categoryCode=

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South Korean Updates: Public-sector greenhouse gas emissions drop 8.1 pct in 2012 (16 Aug 2013)

Public-sector greenhouse gas emissions drop 8.1 pct in 2012

August 16, 2013
Yonhap News Agency

SEOUL, Aug. 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korea slashed greenhouse gas emissions from the public sector last year by 8.1 percent in its efforts to attain the state's ultimate goal of a 30 percent reduction, the environment ministry said Friday.

The government has led an energy frugality campaign with the goal of reducing the country's greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent from its business-as-usual level by 2020.

Last year, the government succeeded in eliminating 394,000 carbon dioxide equivalent tons (tCO2e), or 8.1 percent of the standard emission level of 4.887 million tCO2e of emissions in the public sector, the ministry said.

It analyzed reports from 703 out of 762 central and local government offices, state-run agencies, national and public universities and colleges, and other entities obliged to cut their emissions under the law on low carbon and green growth that went into effect in 2010 under the former Lee Myung-bak government.

The law set the 2007-2009 average of annual emissions from the public sector as the baseline for the study on the result of the sector's efforts to reduce emissions.

The 8.1 percent reduction is tantamount to planting 78.8 million pine trees, according to the ministry.

Most of the public organizations reported that they saved energy by observing the state-recommended temperatures for air conditioning and heating, and reducing the frequency of operating elevators, the ministry said.

sshim@yna.co.kr

(END)

Source: 
http://www.keei.re.kr/main.nsf/index_en.html?open&p=%2Fweb_keei%2Fen_news.nsf%2Fxmlmain%2FB060B584E0C82B6D49257BC9003045F1&s=%3FOpenDocument%26menucode%3DES90

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South Korean Updates: Result of crackdown on pollutant-emitting facilities shows local governments’ lukewarm attitude (8 Aug 2013)

Result of crackdown on pollutant-emitting facilities shows local governments’ lukewarm attitude
webmaster
2013.08.08

The Ministry of Environment (MOE) announced on the 8^th it has taken administrative measures including closedown after exposing 1,628 places of business that breach environmental laws and regulations based on the result of inspection on environmental pollutant-emitting facilities in the local governments from January to June, 2013.

According to the result, the inspection rate of workplaces in the local governments stands at 34.2%, amounting to 15,725 places out of 45,918 places nationwide. The figure is lower than last year’s inspection rate of 38.7% at the first half.

While Jelloabuk-do, Ulsan Metropolitan City, and Gwanju Metropolitan City inspected more than 50% of places, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Sejong Special Self-Governing Province and Chungcheongnam-do showed inspection rate less than the average of 34.2%.

Iksan City, Jellabuk-do and Suwon City, Gyeonggi-do recorded more than 60% of inspection, whereas Yangju City, Pyeongtaek City, Gimpo City and Pohang City shower poor performance with crackdown rate less than 10%.

The detection rate was 9.1% up 2.3% from 6.8% a year ago, exposing 1,628 facilities violating environmental laws and regulations after 17,834 times of inspection at the first half of the year. In particular, 29 facilities were detected for double-breach of environmental laws and regulations.

MOE called upon the local governments to strengthen guidance and inspection on pollutant-emitting facilities. For the local governments with low inspection rate and detection rate, a watchdog from regional environmental office will conduct a special inspection.

Source: 

http://eng.me.go.kr/board.do?method=view&docSeq=11704&bbsCode=new_news&currentPage=1&searchType=&searchText=&categoryCode=

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South Korean Updates: Go eco-friendly camping and cut food waste with food bank! (23 Jul 2013)

Go eco-friendly camping and cut food waste with food bank!

webmaster

2013.07.23

With a growing number of people going camping, Korea National Park Service (KNPS) under the Ministry of Environment (MOE) will expand the food banks at camp sites to reduce food waste for spreading eco-friendly camping.

KNPS is running the food banks at 16 campgrounds among 42 sites, which have increased from 12 campgrounds last year.

The food bank in the national parks is intended to keep food fresh in hot weather for campers and distribute donated food to the less privileged in return, which can cut food waste.

Since KNPS operated the food banks at 12 campgrounds last year, the amount of food waste has dropped by 29% from 187 tons to 133 tons.

KNPS has installed refrigerators at each campground to keep meat, fruits or vegetables fresh in summer and donation boxes. Two refrigerators, one for storing food and another for exchanging food, are set up at each camp site.

Campers can donate food such as canned food, instant noodle or rice which will not go bad in the box and KNPS will deliver the collected food to the food bank operating group in nearby area.

As the number of people using campground at national parks has rapidly increased from 283,000 in 2010 and 342,000 in 2011 to 462,000 in 2012, expanded food banks will help spread a culture of green camping.

Source: 

http://eng.me.go.kr/board.do?method=view&docSeq=11605&bbsCode=new_news&currentPage=1&searchType=&searchText=&categoryCode=

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South Korean Updates: Mandatory verification for new environmental technologies on water quality (31 Jul 2013)

Mandatory verification for new environmental technologies on water quality

webmaster

2013.07.31

The Ministry of Environment (MOE) and Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute (KEITI) announced on the 31th that the ‘Support for Environmental Technology and Environmental Industry Act’ aimed at improving the certification and verification system of new environmental technology was promulgated on July 16 and will take effect from January 17 next year.

The revision was undergone to institutionally support the system in order to enhance credibility, public confidence and applicability of new environmental technology.

Under the revised Act, new technologies on water quality such as sewage and waste water treatment and purification will be obligated to undergo comprehensive technology verification based on an on-the-spot inspection, document examination and on-site evaluation for 3 to 10 months.  

Hitherto, technology verification has been optional for the companies which received new technology certification. However, treatment efficiency of the new technology in the field of water quality might vary depending on seasonal factors, changes in inflow water quality and loading amount. Thus, the Ministry makes it mandatory to go through technology verification to improve credibility.

Under the revised Act, the companies that acquired new technology certification should apply for technology verification within 6 months after the Act comes into force. Also, a post evaluation will be conducted to enhance field applicability of the certified or verified technology.

The first term of validity of new environmental technology will be extended from 3 years to 5 years. The certification expiry date can be renewed once up to 5 years after an expiry date of 5 years. The technology verification expiry date can be extended once from 3 to 7 years after an expiry date of 5 years. The extended term of validity will help raise field applicability of new environmental technology.

KEITI said that it will endeavour to support companies and researchers for technology development by enhcancing efficacy and field applicability of new environmental technologies.

Source: 

http://eng.me.go.kr/board.do?method=view&docSeq=11644&bbsCode=new_news&currentPage=1&searchType=&searchText=&categoryCode=

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South Korean Updates: Seoul to raise minimum fuel efficiency standard for cars from 2020 (15 Jul 2013)

Seoul to raise minimum fuel efficiency standard for cars from 2020

July 15, 2013
Yonhap News Agency

SEOUL, July 15 (Yonhap) -- The government is moving to further toughen minimum fuel efficiency standards for automobiles, officials said Monday, in an effort to cut down the country's energy consumption and also reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

According to officials from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the government is moving to raise the minimum fuel efficiency requirement of passenger cars to 20 kilometers per liter (km/l) from 2020.

Currently, the country has no minimum requirements, though it is set to begin enforcing a 17 km/l requirement from 2015. Automakers that fail to meet the minimum requirement can be subject to a fine, the ministry has said.

The move to further toughen the country's minimum fuel efficiency standards follows similar plans by most advanced nations.

The United States is moving to only allow sales of vehicles that meet the minimum fuel efficiency of 56.2 miles per gallon, or 23.9 km/l, from 2025, with Japan also set to introduce a 20.3 km/l requirement from 2020, according to ministry officials, who requested anonymity.

"The proposed minimum requirement was set after considering the global trend and the country's development capacity," the officials said.

The government apparently believes tougher minimum fuel efficiency standards will lead to the development of hybrid or clean-energy cars, such as electric and fuel cell vehicles.

South Korea is currently working to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent from its business-as-usual level in 2020.

(END)

Source: 
http://www.keei.re.kr/main.nsf/index_en.html?open&p=%2Fweb_keei%2Fen_news.nsf%2Fxmlmain%2F9D91FB09658C410A49257BA9002B0E5F&s=%3FOpenDocument%26menucode%3DES90

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South Korean Updates: Seoul to ban production, imports of incandescent lighting from next year (16 Jul 2013)

Seoul to ban production, imports of incandescent lighting from next year

July 16, 2013
Yonhap News Agency

SEJONG, July 16 (Yonhap) -- Thomas Edison's greatest invention, incandescent lighting, will begin to die out, at least in South Korea, following a production ban set to be implemented next year, the government said Tuesday.

Starting from Jan. 1, 2014, imports of incandescent light bulbs, which have been labeled low-efficient, will also be banned permanently, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

The move is part of a decision made in 2008 to phase out incandescent light bulbs, which consume as much as six times more energy than highly efficient light-emitting diode (LED) light bulbs.

Using an incandescent light bulb may cost up to 15,863 won (US$14.14) per year in electricity bills and purchase costs. The amount drops by up to 82.3 percent to 2,813 won a year when using an LED light bulb instead, the ministry said in a press release.

There are currently about 30 million incandescent light bulbs still in use in the country. Replacing all of them with more energy-efficient light bulbs will help save more than 1,800 gigawatts of electricity in a year, enough for use by up to 650,000 households for the same period, according to the ministry.

The government has already replaced 99 percent of all incandescent light bulbs in some 8,000 public buildings.

Currently, there is only one local manufacturer of incandescent light bulbs with most of its supplies imported from overseas, principally from China, the ministry said.

"The government will continue to expand the supply of high efficiency light bulbs, such as LED lamps, to minimize public inconvenience and its impact on the market," it said.

bdk@yna.co.kr 

(END)

Source: 

http://www.keei.re.kr/main.nsf/index_en.html?open&p=%2Fweb_keei%2Fen_news.nsf%2Fxmlmain%2FBE05FA3883EFCDBF49257BAA002A8AD3&s=%3FOpenDocument%26menucode%3DES90

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South Korean Updates: MOTIE Implements Energy-Saving Measures for Summer (27 Jun 2013)

MOTIE Implements Energy-Saving Measures for Summer

June 27, 2013 Energy Saving Cooperation Division and the Electric Power Division Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy MOTIE Implements Energy-Saving Measures for Summer The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced energy saving measures for the summer which came until force as of June 18 and will remain in effect until the end of August.  As unprecedented power shortages are expected over the summer due to the higher temperatures than previous years and temporary shutdowns at some of the nation’s nuclear power plants, the Ministry will make it mandatory for businesses whose contract demand is greater than 5,000 kilowatts to reduce their electricity consumption up to 15 percent from 10 to 11 am and 2 to 5 pm when the electricity demand hits at peak level. The measures will be implemented from August 5.  Commercial buildings with higher electricity demands are required to keep their indoor temperatures at 26 degrees Celsius or above, while stores should keep their doors closed when air-conditioning systems are in use.  Additionally, during peak demand hours, public institutions and buildings with higher electricity demands will be required to turn off their air conditioners every 30 minutes.  Government and public institutions also pledged to keep their indoor temperatures at or above 28 degrees Celsius and reduce electricity consumption by 15 percent. At peak hours, the percentage will be up to 20 percent. * Released by the Energy Saving Cooperation Division and the Electric Power Division
첨부	MOTIE Implements Energy-Saving Measures for Summer.pdf   MOTIE Implements Energy-Saving Measures for Summer.JPG

Source: 
http://www.keei.re.kr/main.nsf/index_en.html?open&p=%2Fweb_keei%2Fen_news.nsf%2Fxmlmain%2F356A23C8B63AEC5149257B9B0027B0EE&s=%3FOpenDocument%26menucode%3DES90

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