OECD Environmental Performance Reviews: Korea 2017
OECD Environmental Performance Reviews provide independent assessments of countries’ progress towards their environmental policy objectives. Reviews promote peer learning, enhance government accountability, and provide targeted recommendations aimed at improving environmental performance, individually and collectively. They are supported by a broad range of economic and environmental data, and evidence-based analysis. Each cycle of Environmental Performance Reviews covers all OECD countries and selected partner economies. The most recent reviews include Chile and France (2016).
This report is the third Environmental Performance Review of Korea. It evaluates progress towards sustainable development and green growth, with a focus on waste and materials management, and environmental justice.
Also available in: French
Environmental performance: Trends and recent developments
Korea’s strong economic growth has been driven by manufactured exports produced by large firms. High population density has exacerbated environmental challenges. This chapter provides a snapshot of key environmental trends in Korea since 2000. It highlights the progress made in decoupling economic activity from environmental pressures. The chapter presents the main economic and social developments, then examines Korea’s progress in reducing the energy and carbon intensity of its economy, in making the transition to a resource-efficient economy and in managing the natural asset base. The chapter also summarises key policy developments in specific areas, including energy, climate change, air, water and biodiversity.