United Kingdom and Republic of Korea agree new collaboration on tackling climate change
The UK and the Republic of Korea issued a joint statement today that outlines the two countries commitment to tackling climate change.
By sharing knowledge of low carbon policy expertise such as energy efficient buildings, the emissions trading scheme and carbon capture and storage, the UK and the Republic of Korea issued a joint statement today that outlines the two countries commitment to tackling climate change.
Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Edward Davey said:
“The UK and the Republic of Korea believe that we need urgent international action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and avoid dangerous climate change. We also recognise the huge economic opportunities of moving to a low carbon economy - for new drivers of growth and jobs, and for greater security of energy supply.
“This Joint Statement is a declaration of our ambition to enhance our co-operation. I really value our partnership with Korea and am pleased to continue to share our experiences and work together, to raise ambition for securing a global climate change deal under the UNFCCC in 2015 and support the global transition to a low carbon economy.”
During the visit, both countries also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concerning cooperation on civil nuclear generation and the development of advanced decommissioning technologies. The MoU agreed that nuclear power provides a safe, consistent and affordable source of energy and has a key role to play in the future low carbon energy mix. Both countries have therefore agreed on expanding and strengthening cooperation, based on the 1991 bilateral nuclear cooperation agreement, in the areas of nuclear power generation, nuclear safety, and research on nuclear decommissioning and the management of nuclear waste.
The agreement also agreed that the two countries will continue to work closely on Emissions Trading as the Republic of Korea develops its nationwide scheme for launch in 2015. The Republic of Korea will lead an industry mission to the UK in late 2013 to understand how UK companies have adjusted to the emissions trading system in the UK.
The UK and South Korea will also expand research and development and co-operation on green buildings by setting up an annual UK-Korea Green Building Policy Forum, which will hold its inaugural meeting in Seoul in February 2014.