[EDITORIAL]Green growth

The government earlier this week announced yet another plan for green growth.

The Presidential Committee on Green Growth, which held its inaugural meeting Monday, outlined a plan to boost the country`s energy independence and green technology to create a "Green Korea." The committee said that by 2030, Korea should be among the world`s top 10 nations in green technology.

A key feature of the plan is the legislation of a basic law on low carbon green growth. Other projects include spending 1.2 trillion won ($827 million) in the next decade to build a nationwide network of bicycle paths. Substituting all incandescent light bulbs with more energy efficient LEDs at all public facilities by 2012 is also part of the plan. The government also said that it would review the adoption of daylight saving time.

President Lee Myung-bak said that the new projects would provide a strong source of growth once the current global economic crisis improves. For this to hold true, the government must come up with "bigger" plans than those that have been announced. Building of nationwide network of bicycle paths will create jobs, mostly in the construction sector, and the replacement of light bulbs will be a boon for the companies that manufacture LEDs. However, these hardly contribute to the development of green technology.

The adoption of daylight saving time should also be approached with more caution. If our neighboring countries such as Japan and China do not adopt the scheme, summer time system in Korea alone may end up causing a great deal of confusion and incurring costly expenses.

Monday`s announcement follows on a 50 trillion won program announced last month that includes a project to clean up and restore the country`s four major rivers. The program, dubbed the "Green New Deal," is intended to create over 900,000 jobs. Last August, Lee presented low-carbon, green growth as a vision for the next 60 years.

The government is right to focus on green growth. Countries around the world have embarked on this path. However, it should present broader, long-term projects that will lead to sustainable development.

The development of renewable energy sources is central to green growth. Countries around the world have already embarked on developing wind energy, solar energy and other forms of renewable energy.

The government should make greater investments in renewable energy research and development and provide financial and tax incentives for businesses involved in the development of renewable energy.

For the green growth plan to be successful, public participation and support are essential, as it requires a dramatic change in lifestyle. As Lee noted, there is little awareness of green growth among the general public. The government should take the time to explain and persuade the people on the need for a green growth strategy.