India and South Korea, known for their collaboration efforts in various fields, have now embarked on a mission to implement environmentally friendly projects by reducing carbon emissions and enforcing strict adherence standards for their industries.

In this context, India has announced energy efficiency measures to fight against the ills of climate change with South Korea following suit by announcing that it will fix carbon emissions targets to be achieved by 2020.

India plans to save 10,000 MW of power through energy efficiency improvements by 2012 as part of its climate change plan. South Korea has set targets like most European countries and the United States, however there is no clarity as to the quantum. It could be allowing only an 8 percent increase compared to 2005 levels, or maybe a 4 percent reduction. The country may choose to maintain present levels also.

South Korea’s Green Initiatives
Being a fast growing economy in Asia, South Korea saw immense increases in carbon emissions, which almost doubled between 1990 and 2005. South Korea is serious in its endeavor to curtail its fossil fuel dependence in order to become a promoter of green technologies in the region. It has innovated on hybrid cars such as that of Hyundai’s, which combines an engine capable of running on LPG with an electric motor.

The country announced a green action plan and laid out a budget of $84 billion to support it, which will help cut car emissions and improve the energy efficiency of buildings and houses. This is expected to make the country a green nation by 2020.

The South Korean government plans to invest $193 million for the development of alternative sources of energy – a 60 percent increase compared to previous years. The investment will cover solar, wind and biofuels, which will increase the domestic supply of renewable energies and also reduce the import of oil. The green measures will receive 2 percent of the country’s GDP from now to 2013 and will also create 1.56-1.81 million jobs, according to official figures.

The five-year plan will encompass energy efficient transport options, green buildings and new technology. Public transport usage will be promoted and vehicles will have to cut down on their emissions. This will be followed by environmental- energy towns with better methods for water usage and renewable sources of energy including biomass.

Private firms will be roped in with green bonds and carbon savings to help them go green. The government will develop international markets for LED s, solar cells and hybrid cars. Carbon emissions trading will also from part of the new strategy and will be implemented by 2012, said official sources.

South Korea, in its bid to climb the industrial ladder as a socially responsible country, has planned to invest in green technologies like renewable energy, energy efficiency and other environmentally friendly initiatives. The huge government funded project from South Korea will spruce solar and wind power generation, enact carbon trading systems and also offer initiatives for the development of biofuels, hybrid cars and other green technologies.

The aim is for South Korea to become the world’s seventh most competitive country by 2020 in terms of energy efficiency and ability to adapt to climate change, according to a presidential statement.

Leveraging the growing global green market, South Korea also plans to create 1.81 million new jobs. Its minister for policy coordination, Kwon Tae-shin, said that besides reducing greenhouse gas emissions this initiative will serve as a growth engine to drive the country to greater prosperity.

Further, the rise in energy demands and the price of electricity, which went up 9.8 percent last year, makes it imperative to take green initiatives seriously. Korea Electric Power Corporation is already sagging under a huge deficit. The new funding effort by the government is seen as a way to create new business opportunities for engineers and entrepreneurs to involve themselves in more research efforts to arrive at optimized, innovative green solutions. The development funding will be offered with tax benefits for small and medium-sized businesses that develop green technologies.

India’s Part in the Green Revolution
In India, major industrial private sector firms have formed an Alliance for Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE ), similar to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE ). The alliance aims to save 2,000 MW of energy by 2012 by promoting energy efficiency measures in both homes and businesses. The focus will be on the Information Technology (IT) industry where savings of 10 percent can be realized in three years flat.

The AEEE is essentially an industry-led initiative which strives to create awareness and highlight issues involved in energy efficiency and carbon mitigation projects.

“AEEE brings together industry on a common platform to work with the Government to reduce the energy intensity in the country and address climate change concerns,” said Hema Hattangady, CEO of Conzerv, who led the initiative.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and U.S. President Barack Obama have jointly launched a Green Partnership during the former’s state visit in November 2009. This is expected to strengthen cooperation between the two nations on several climate and environment initiatives.

India will form a National Environmental Protection Authority (NEPA ) as a part of the initiatives. This aims to enhance the authority of Indian environmental agencies, improve public information and transparency, demonstrate progress in environmental compliance and enforcement and, thereby, improve environmental quality for all Indian citizens.

Infosys, the IT giant in India, aims to become a carbonneutral company by 2012. It involves investing in projects that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and those for nullifying the effects of carbon dioxide emissions generated by the company’s normal business operations. Reducing the carbon footprint in all activities such as air travel, vehicle usage, air conditioning and even machinery and computers will be part of this endeavor.

Also, India has in place an eco-labeling scheme called ‘Ecomark’ for identification of environmentally-friendly products. The mark, resembling an earthenware pot, is awarded to consumer goods that meet environmental criteria, which encompasses raw material extraction, manufacturing and disposal.

Joint Efforts by India and South Korea
Being members of ASEAN , the Association of South East Asian Nations, both South Korea and India can work in tandem towards the region’s economic development. Korea is helping member countries like Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar to eliminate poverty. It will offer financial assistance through the Economic Development Cooperation Fund to Vietnam, India, the Philippines and Cambodia between 2009 and 2012.

With more emphasis on regional cooperation, Korea will develop ASEAN ’s natural resources taking cooperation with member states to new heights. The East Asia Climate Partnership is a carbon-trading market for developing countries and also for conducting research on green technology. The Korean government supports its companies functioning in ASEAN countries.

In India, efforts are made by The Central Leather Research Institute to develop technologies that will add value to the quality of leather as well as reduce environmental pollution. The CLRI has been striving to develop ways to use enzymes in place of harmful chemicals in processing hides and skins for improving the grain structure of leather. The leather process, called “eco-friendly wet blue manufacturing,” replaces chemicals to some extent and this technology is being promoted to other nations like Korea.

Some years back, new roads were laid in Delhi using Korean eco-friendly road construction methods. The technology is known as Darin Asphalt Modified Additive and features an additive of asphalt with pores. Branded as Ecophalt, it has an additive packaged in eco-friendly ways and leaves no residue after use. Even the bag containing the additive will melt along with the bitumen mix and other materials.

Quite popular in South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong, this eco-friendly technique prevents the road from becoming slippery, increases durability and gives a silencing effect as water is absorbed.

The reduced green cover, lost ecology and depleted bio diversity are having adverse effects on the earth’s climate and contributing to global warming. People are losing their livelihoods and this requires a shift back to natural and organic farming methods. Dr. Hu Cho-han from Korea promoted the concept of low-budget agriculture using natural inputs to attract microbes besides using cooked rice, jaggery water and pulses to improve soil fertility.

Fermented plant juice is used instead of insect pesticides. This will actually attract insects living within 15 feet of the top soil to act in friendly ways to the farmers. Dr. Hu worked with a firm in Bangalore, India to implement his schemes after research in a micro-lab established in Tirupati, India.

The Asia-Pacific Partnership for Clean Development and Climate (APP CDC), formed in 2005, is an association that includes India, China, the United States, Japan, South Korea, Australia and Canada. Technology is considered a fundamental transformation agent in tackling climate change by this group. The association looks for ways and means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the transfer of technology and development of new technologies.

South Korea and India are working towards green solutions for a better tomorrow through such joint initiatives. Whether it is in the field of micro farming or in making hybrid cars and revamping the power distribution system, collaboration between the two countries goes a long way.