Research Reports
Policy Implications and Directions for Introducing Carbon Labeling System in Korean Agriculture
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AuthorKim, Changgil
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Publication Date2009.12.01
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Original
Carbon labeling system is a noble concept aimed at reducing carbon emissions through more efficient methods of products and more responsible consumer habits. The system is designed to label the amount of carbon used in the stages of production, distribution, usage and disposal of the goods. The system has been implemented in places such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Sweden, and Japan to enable businesses to demonstrate to consumers their commitment to managing and reducing carbon emissions.
Korea also has been operating carbon footprint labeling system for manufacturing products since February 2009. Carbon labeling system can play an important role in inducing market oriented low carbon green consumption by providing to consumers and stakeholders by calculating carbon dioxide emission quantity and reduction quantity throughout the life cycle of products and in ultimately establishing low carbon economic system by activating consumption as well as production of low carbon products.
In case domestic agricultural products attach carbon labeling and implement marketing intensively, we can expect that it will make contribution to improvement of reliability of domestic agricultural products. At present, discussion for introducing carbon labeling system in agriculture is progressing partially but a full scale preparation for policy is not yet implemented.
The purpose of this report is to explore policy implications and directions for introducing carbon labeling system in agricultural sector. Major results of the research can be summarized as follows:
First, preparation of legal framework and cooperation system between related government departments must be established for introducing carbon labeling system in agricultural sector. In addition, it is necessary to designate in advance main certification institution of the labeling system in agriculture.
Second, certification screening committee for operating carbon labeling system must be organized. The committee is a final approval institution which approves results of examination by members of certification screening committee and shall be organized through participation of experts in various fields together with main institution of certification.
Third, one of the most important tasks for evaluation of carbon emission quantity and for its implementation in the field of agricultural food is to establish the database on life cycle inventory (LCI). Based on the inventory, the priority, for which product items shall be implemented, must be decided when selecting the object product items of carbon labeling system.
Fourth, it is necessary to prepare plans to secure operation human resources of carbon labeling system and to prepare related educational system and qualification certification system.
Fifth, for introducing carbon labeling system in agricultural field, establishment of systematic cooperation relationship between policy decision-makers and researchers is necessary. In activating life cycle assessment (LCA) method, preparation guidelines on product category rules (PCR), establishment of LCI, participations of research institutions in the field of agriculture, forest and fisheries are necessary.
Through introduction of carbon labeling system, conversion into production-consumption paradigm of low carbon agricultural products must be promoted and environmental friendly agricultural technology system through participations of consumers must be established.
Carbon labeling system shall be introduced in a direction to become profitable to all stakeholder in agricultural sector such as farmer, food manufacturing companies, distribution companies, and consumers. Simultaneously, introduction of carbon labeling system shall be implemented in a direction to make contributions to increase competitiveness of agricultural industry. Finally, introduction of carbon labeling system could be implemented as a momentum to upgrade the structure of our agricultural industry as the discussion becomes a momentum to promote distribution of low carbon agricultural policy and cutting-edge green technology in agricultural field.
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