Korea, Denmark to push climate deal

Korea and Denmark yesterday pledged to advance global cooperation to fight climate change and enhance bilateral partnership in renewable energies and bio-science.

President Lee Myung-bak met with Prime Minister Lars Rasmussen, who arrived in Seoul on Wednesday for a three-day visit.

"We agreed to cooperate in various fields, especially in green technologies including energy saving and renewable energy resources, in which Denmark has a high technological edge," Lee said during a news conference after the summit.

"We also concurred that the two countries have a lot of room for collaboration in information technology, bio-technology and pharmaceuticals, and agreed to closely cooperate in those fields."

The leaders also pledged joint efforts to move forward an international climate accord adopted in Copenhagen in December.

The Danish leader chaired the 15th Conference of Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change.



During the meeting, a group of developed and emerging powers agreed to set a non-binding goal of limiting global warming to less than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times.

The accord also outlined a goal of providing $10 billion a year in quick-start funds for developing nations from 2010-12.

"The meeting has greatly contributed to advancing the international community`s response to climate change and I highly appreciate Prime Minister Rasmussen`s leadership in reaching the achievement," Lee said.

Though the Copenhagen meeting failed to make countries commit to mandatory cuts on carbon emissions, Rasmussen said, it is an important steppingstone for agreeing on a binding international accord in the next climate change conference to be held in Cancun, Mexico from Nov. 29-Dec. 10.

The Danish leader welcomed the recent decisions by China and India to sign the accord, noting that more than 100 rich and poor countries responsible for over 80 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions have now endorsed it.

He stressed the need to implement what can be carried out immediately including financial support for developing countries and global reforestation efforts.

He hailed Lee`s initiative for green growth as a model the world can follow and as a strong drive for an advanced global consensus to fight climate change.

Rasmussen visited the Demilitarized Zone, the heavily-fortified border between the two Koreas, on Wednesday. He yesterday visited the main science research complex in Daejeon. Lee accepted Denmark`s invitation to visit in 2011.

(jjhwang@heraldm.com)



By Hwang Jang-jin