South Korea: Basic Environmental Policy Act

This Act provides the fundamental regulations for environmental management in Korea. It provides a framework for all environmental legislation and measures - outlining the direction of policy and the aims of the Korean government.

Status: In Force; Framework Policy

References: http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/APCITY/UNPAN009445...

South Korea: Environmental Preservation Act

Replacing the Pollution Prevention Act, this legislation aims to prevent environmental damage. With the increasingly rapid environmental degradation in the country throughout the 70s and 80s, however, the Act was later divided into six separate laws.

Date Implemented: 1977

Status: Ended

South Korea: Pollution Prevention Act

Regarded as Korea’s first piece of environmental legislation, its revision included mandatory permissible emission standards and a discharging facilities permit system.

Date Implemented: 1963, revised 1971, repealed 1977

Status: Ended

References: http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/APCITY/UNPAN009445...

South Korea: Domestic emission trading

The Emissions Trading Scheme is being introduced in stages.  The first stage involves a demonstration project, based on the baseline matrix scheme.  Other industries like refining, petrochemical, and steel by electric furnace will join and create a new carbon market in the second phase. In the final phase, a general emission trading market will be established.  The government will participate as a buyer to absorb the credit offered by the renewable energy and ESCO projects. 

South Korea: National Intermodal Transportation Plan

Enacted in accordance with the Transportation System Efficiency Act, this plan was intended to maximize the benefits of intermodal transportation. The plan includes promoting a light railway system, promoting bus services in remote areas; and promoting traffic efficiency, (reducing heavy traffic hours, providing of mass transport modes). It also strengthens the government’s financial support to mass public transportation.

South Korea: Transportation System Efficiency Act

The Transportation System Efficiency Act outlines the guidelines for the construction of transportation infrastructure and management of transport systems. Korea’s major cities are required to establish mid- and long-term urban transportation plans. It also includes plans to improve mode sharing. 

Date Implemented: 1999

Status: In Force; Government Initiative

South Korea: Rational Energy Use Act

Philippines: Total Log Ban in Primary Forests

The government issued a ban on logging in the Philippines’ primary growth forests in an effort to halt deforestation.

Date Implemented: 1992

Status: In Force; Mandatory

Philippines: National Forestation Program

The National Forest Policy aims to ensure the adequate supply of industrial timber and fuel wood; provision of livelihood for upland communities and, restoration and maintenance of a stable, functional and wholesome environment. It also creates production forest plantations for sustainable exploitation.

Date Implemented: 1986

Status: Framework Policy

Philippines: Buhay Award

The government initiated the Buhay award in order to recognize those companies, individuals, groups and institutions which had voluntarily taken measures to reduce their GHG emissions. The hope was to demonstrate that energy conservation and GHG reductions are beneficial to both the environment and the business.

Date Implemented: 1998

Status: In Force; Voluntary