South Korea, Mexico Offer To Set 2020 Emissions Targets

South Korea and Mexico, two countries designated as "developing" under the Kyoto Protocol, have announced plans to set specific carbon-reduction targets for 2020.

Both countries have relatively strong manufacturing economies and fast-growing levels of greenhouse gas pollution. Their willingness to set emissions-reduction targets could help to bridge the negotiating gap between industrialized nations and other developing nations–like China, Inida and Brazil–in the ongoing talks for an international climate change treaty. 

South Korea said it would choose by the end of the year from among three options for reducing emissions: an 8% increase from 2005 levels by 2020, unchanged from 2005, or 4% below 2005 levels.

As South Korea’s manufacturing economy has grown, it has become one of the richest nations in Asia. Its emissions doubled from 1990 to 2005, marking the fastest level of emissions growth among developing nations.

In July, South Korea’s government said it would invest 2% of its annual GDP (roughly $87.56 billion) in environment-related industries over the next five years.

Mexico did not give any specific figures, but said it will propose a detailed plan later this year to slow the growth of its greenhouse gas emissions. 

Adrian Fernandez, the president of Mexico’s National Ecology Institute told Reuters: "If Mexico can bring a plan for cuts through 2020 to the table with a detailed description of what will be mitigated it would set a positive precedent for the other big emerging economies."

In June Mexican President Felipe Calderon said the nation would cut 50 million tons of annual emissions by 2012 through increased efficiency in the state run electricity and oil industries and improving rural land use.

Fernandez reaffirmed Mexico’s position that both private funds and funds from developing nations will be needed in order for it and other developing nations to reduce their emissions levels.

International negotiations are scheduled to culminate in December at a major U.N. conference to be held in Copenhagen. The goal of negotiations is to sign a new climate change treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol at that conference.