This report on the Korean Strategy for Green Growth and its implementation in urban areas assesses the contributions of sub-national governments to Korea's National Strategy for Green Growth and identifies the main challenges for effective implementation at the local level.
Korea's economy, heavily reliant on foreign exports, was hard hit by the recent global financial crisis. Since the 1970s, Korea has become one of the most energy-intensive economies in the OECD area, thanks to higher living standards, rapid urbanisation and an expanding industrial sector. As a result, the country's greenhouse gas emissions almost doubled between 1990 and 2005, registering the highest growth rate in the OECD area. It is in this context of rapid urbanisation and unprecedented resource consumption and environmental pressures that the report focuses on the role of urban areas within Korea's National Strategy for Green Growth. The effectiveness of Korea's green growth agenda, which has been driven by a central government vision and strategy, will largely hinge on the contribution of urban areas toward more sustainable, greener growth.
This issue of the International Journal of Labour Research focuses on the question of whether the jobs that are emerging in the efforts to reach sustainable development can be described as “decent”. A series of case studies is presented which demonstrates that this seems to be far from the case. While these results remain very partial, this should be seen as an important reminder that “green” employment is not decent by definition and that like in any other sector, green jobs require careful stewardship from public authorities to ensure that workers are able to exercise their rights. This is all the more the case given the central role government policy plays in creating the enabling conditions for these industries to emerge and thrive.
This journal issue includes case studies on Korea, China and South Africa.
By presenting a selected number of successful national experiences from 2012, the progress report illustrates the different levels at which the International Labour Organization (ILO)'s Green Jobs Programme operates. The report also provides an update on the activities which will unfold in 2013 with the continued support of the Programme’s networks and partners.
This report includes case studies on Mexico, Kenya, Thailand, South Africa, the Dominican Republic, China, Turkey, Zambia and Indonesia.
The report provides recommendations to develop and implement policy reforms supporting market formation and fostering a favorable climate for investments in the sectors of energy efficiency and renewable energy sources.
This wide-ranging regional assessment is based on case studies, expert workshops and senior policy maker seminars. It encourages policy makers to focus on: “quick wins” to demonstrate rapid results and increase political support through those measures that can be introduced in less than a year and are likely to produce significant impact at moderate costs; “essentials” as the backbone of a comprehensive energy efficiency and renewable energy policy, affecting the areas of greatest potential by raising standards and stimulating investments that are already financially viable; and “high cost, high return” measures that will remove fundamental barriers and will make more energy efficiency and renewable energy investments financially viable.