Having worked its way from acute post-war poverty to becoming the world’s 12th largest economy, Korea has much to offer the world, particularly nations seeking similar paths, said Yoon Seung-joon, chief of a state-run body on environmental industry.

And his agency, the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute, is leading the country’s global contributions in the environmental fields, he said.

“We, at the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute, are at the vanguard of efforts to spread Korea’s experience and know-how to underdeveloped or developing countries ― be it in the form of official governmental aid or profit-seeking activity by private enterprises.” 

Among the many undertakings of the KEITI, Yoon took particular pride in a program to devise an environmental roadmap for underdeveloped or developing countries free of charge.

The Master Plan project envisions a team of Korean specialists, including private sector representatives, devising a tailored strategy and implementation plans to tackle the most pressing environmental problems of a recipient country.

Costs incurred during the process, which usually takes about 10 months to a year, are covered by the KEITI.

Since the program’s inception in 2007, nine countries ― from Vietnam in Asia to Mozambique in Africa ― have benefited from it. This year, three more countries ― Bangladesh, Chile and Peru ― have signed up for the service.

The Master Plan projects led to a series of deals for Korean environmental firms. Among them is a $500 million deal won by Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co. in June to restore a polluted river in Algeria.

“The deals are particularly meaningful to us, because it shows that we’re helping other countries, while helping our own green firms,” he said.

The KEITI’s efforts are part of a national drive for “inclusive green growth.”

Korea in 2008 declared “low-carbon, green growth” as its new development strategy and has since rolled out a package of policies to reduce the local economy’s heavy dependence on fossil fuels, increase the use of alternative energy and nurture green industries.

By pursuing “inclusive green growth,” it aims to support other countries to seek a more sustainable growth path.

In June this year, President Lee Myung-bak unveiled a plan to increase the portion of eco-friendly green programs it supports to 30 percent of its official development assistance fund by 2020.

In 2010, green aid programs accounted for 14.1 percent of the country’s total ODA spending.

By Lee Sun-young (milaya@heraldcorp.com)