The government has selected three local universities to train climate change experts to better cope with international efforts for greenhouse gas reductions.

The Ministry of Environment said on Wednesday that it designated three universities _ Seoul National University, Korea University and Keimyung University _ as recipients of state funds to nurture specialists on climate change and green house gas issues.

Seoul National University will educate students in data gathering and analysis of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Keimyung University is expected to help the government work out policies on reducing global warming gases.

The ministry plans to provide 100 million won ($99,000) in financial assistance to each school per year for the next five years. Schools can also receive funds for five more years.

``Establishing appropriate educational institutions to train climate experts would be the first step to effectively deal with international treaties on reducing greenhouse gas emissions,’’ a ministry official said.

``In advanced countries like the United States and Japan, the government has played an active role in educating students specializing in climate change issues, and helping private companies more effectively reduce greenhouse gases,’’ he added.

He said the government would construct the social and industrial infrastructure necessary to cope with the greenhouse gas reduction treaty and adjust to climate change.

He added it would strengthen cooperation with other countries to develop clean development mechanisms and jointly implement low-emissions businesses.

Under the Kyoto Protocol that went into effect last February, Korea is currently exempted from the emission reduction obligation.

But it will be required to reduce its global warming gas emissions from 2013 with the size of reductions to be decided through future meetings. Korea ratified the climate pact in November 2002.

The protocol adopted in December 1997 requires 36 industrialized countries to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide and methane, to 5.2 percent below 1990 levels during the 2008-2012 period.

But the U.S., the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitter accounting for about 28 percent of the total emissions, withdrew from the protocol in 2001 to protect domestic industries.

Korea has been advocating a voluntary and non-binding international greenhouse gas reduction scheme, saying developing countries, including Korea, should be provided with a voluntary reduction scheme in consideration of each nation’s different social and economic conditions, not standards set by industrialized countries.

In July 2004, the Korean government formed a consortium with the United States, Japan, China and India to purse the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in a voluntary manner and sustainable economic development.

Currently, the country meets only 2.1 percent of its energy needs through renewable energy sources, including solar, water and wind power.

Source: http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200603/kt2006031519151211990.htm