• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 2016

Korea has introduced Korea Emissions Trading Scheme (Korea ETS) since 2015. However, not many companies voluntarily participate in the emissions trading. The goal of this paper is to provide the way to improve the Korea ETS. This study compares the Korea ETS with EU Emissions Trading System, which has been practiced for a decade, and suggests three strategies to activate the Korea Emissions Trading Scheme. The first thing is to encourage more companies to participate in the emissions trading since the number of companies in the emissions trading in Korea is quite limited compared with that of EU. The second thing is to activate the trading of Korean Credit Unit in order to stimulate various emission reduction mechanisms. Currently, the most of the trading in the emissions market is through the Korean Allowance Unit. The third thing is to establish concrete measures to continuously improve the Korea ETS. A comprehensive evaluation of the Korea ETS is needed along with the ongoing convergence with the associated comments. The improvement of Korea ETS would be one of the most efficient ways to compete the climate change, and would also play a role to raise the status of Korea.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.221-230
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• 2017

There are two main policies to meet the national goal of reducing Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) emissions in Korea towards Paris Agreement. From 2012 to 2014, Target Management System (TMS) was operated and the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) has been established since 2015. To compare the impact of TMS and ETS on reducing GHGs, we collected annual GHGs emission reports submitted by individual business entities, and normalized them using a z-variant normalized function. In order to evaluate the impact of those policies, we calculated the amount of GHGs emissions of 73 business entities from 15 business sectors. Those entities emitted $508million\;CO_2eq$, which is 74% of total national GHGs emissions in 2014. The main results of analysis indicate that accumulated GHGs emissions during the period 2012 to 2014 affected by TMS was higher than the national goal of GHGs emission reduction, and only the GHGs emissions in 2014 were in the range of allowed GHGs emissions, set by the Government. In 2015, when ETS initiated, total GHGs emission trading was $4.84million\;tCO_2eq$, which is only 0.9% of total allowance in 2015. However, more than 50% of business entities, who got the allowance of GHGs emission given by the Government, met the goal of GHGs emissions. Particularly, 27 of 73 business entities reduced GHGs more under the ETS rather than the TMS. Even though we analyzed only 4 years' data to demonstrate the impact of TMS and ETS, it is expected to commit the national goal of GHGs reduction target by TMS and ETS.

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.83-91
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• 2017

Climate change has been identified as one with the greatest challenges facing nations, government, business and over future decades. Activities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the Kyoto Protocol, the international community has been in progress. Korea also has introduced the Emission trading system to reduce greenhouse emission from the supervision of the government. Greenhouse gases emissions quantity should be internationally recognized. Mutual Recognition Arrangement should be recognized as the same greenhouse gas emission. International recognition of domestic verification body of international mutual recognition is required. Efforts are needed to secure the equivalence between the emission rights through direct cooperation with the relative nation accreditation body. Early entry into the IAF/PAC GHG MLA is essential for demonstrating equivalence between greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions trading will also require connection to the EU ETS, California, USA, and Tokyo, Japan to link Emissions trading. In the case of establishing accreditation standards and accreditation criteria, it will be necessary to distinguish between the domestic Energy Target Management System and the Emission Trading System. Independent greenhouse gases verification bodies should be established to meet the requirements of IAF and PAC. It is necessary to revise the qualification criteria for the verification of the greenhouse gas verification body according to international standards requirements. It is necessary to support the role of accreditation bodies of domestic greenhouse gas verification bodies. It is required to join international organizations of international mutual recognition of international trade and the need for pilot projects to link greenhouse gas emissions. The core link to our emission trading system is called EU-ETS, and we will need to join the IAF/PAC GHG MLA GHG. The International Mutual Recognition Agreement (IAF) is expected to allow international interoperability of GHG emissions verification between EA and the PAC. By signing a PAC GHG MLA, it will need to be prepared to prepare for the pilot project to link the emission trading system.

• Journal of Korean Institute of Industrial Engineers
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.203-212
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• 2017

Emissions Trading System (ETS) is utilized in many countries, including South Korea, as an efficient policy to abate GHG (Greenhouse Gas) emissions. Grandfathering on the basis of historic emissions is used as the way to allocate permits in South Korea. It, however, has caused an increase in the emission permits and lack of equity. To overcome these drawbacks, we propose an alternative DEA model for centralized allocation of emission abatement to evaluate the amount of emissions abatement by company based on the energy efficiency. In addition, an empirical analysis of 36 assigned companies for ETS in Korean metal industry is conducted to validate the feasibility of the proposed model. The result of the analysis shows that energy-efficient companies achieve reduced target of the emissions abatement and companies with low energy efficiency score are turned out to have contrary outcome, against the result of applying Grandfathering.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 2015

This study has aimed to compare an emission trading system (ETS) in the EU and Japan that introduced the scheme prior to Korea and provided the latter with a benchmarking model. Especially, the EU has a reputation for its well-organized and evolving system, and Japan has also successfully established the system despite its similar condition with Korea, such as an industrial structure and the degree of energy dependence. However, there are noticeable differences between the EU and Japan in their ETS. Whereas Japan has focused on securing certifications in CDM as the implementation of Kyoto protocol, EU has shown a tendency to transform the trading market from a parallel structure of EUA and CER transaction to only the EUA transaction after ending of 1st commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol. Since the differences were mainly caused by not only in a design of the system but also in internal governance and their national circumstance, it is meaningful to analyse the Korean case with a similar framework. This study may contribute to designing an appropriate system for emission trading in Korea through the comparison of the EU and Japanese case.

• Journal of Korea Trade
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.45-64
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• 2022

Purpose - This paper examines South Korea's potential status as a carbon leakage country, and the level of risk posed by the Korean emissions trading scheme (ETS) for Korean industries. The economic effects of border carbon adjustments (BCAs) to protect energy-intensive Korean industries in the process of achieving the carbon reduction target by 2030 through the Korean ETS are also analyzed. Design/methodology - First, using the Korean Input-Output (IO) table, this paper calculates the balance of emissions embodied in trade (BEET) and the pollution terms of trade (PTT) to determine Korean industries' carbon leakage status. Analyses of the risk level posed by carbon reduction policy implementation in international trade are conducted for some sectors by applying the EU criteria. Second, using a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model, three BCA scenarios, exemption regulations (EXE), reimbursement (REB), and tariff reduction (TAR) to protect the energy-intensive industries under the Korean ETS are addressed. Compared to the baseline scenario of achieving carbon reduction targets by 2030, the effects of BCAs on welfare, carbon leakage, outputs, and trading are analyzed. Findings - As Korea's industrial structure has been transitioning from a carbon importing to a carbon leaking country. The results indicate that some industrial sectors could face the risk of losing international competitiveness due to the Korean ETS. South Korea's industries are basically exposed to risk of carbon leakage because most industries have a trade intensity higher than 30%. This could be interpreted as disproving vulnerability to carbon leakage. Although the petroleum and coal sector is not in carbon leakage, according to BEET and PTT, the Korean ETS exposes this sector to a high risk of carbon leakage. Non-metallic minerals and iron and steel sectors are also exposed to a high risk of carbon leakage due to the increased burden of carbon reduction costs embodied in the Korean ETS, despite relatively low levels of trade intensity. BCAs are demonstrated to have an influential role in protecting energy-intensive industries while achieving the carbon reduction target by 2030. The EXE scenario has the greatest impact on mitigation of welfare losses and carbon leakage, and the TAF scenario causes a disturbance in the international trade market because of the pricing adjustment system. In reality, the EXE scenario, which implies completely exempting energy-intensive industries, could be difficult to implement due to various practical constraints, such as equity and reduction targets and other industries; therefore, the REB scenario presents the most realistic approach and appears to have an effect that could compensate for the burden of economic activities and emissions regulations in these industries. Originality/value - This paper confirms the vulnerability of the Korean industrial the risk of carbon leakage, demonstrating that some industrial sectors could be exposed to losing international competitiveness by implementing carbon reduction policies such as the Korean ETS. The contribution of this paper is the identification of proposed approaches to protect Korean industries in the process of achieving the 2030 reduction target by analyzing the effects of BCA scenarios using a CGE model.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.129-167
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• 2021

The emission trading system is an essential policy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and converting low-carbon society. EU ETS is a good benchmark that is ahead of Korea's emission trading system in terms of operating period and design know-how. Therefore, this study focused on the key design elements of EU ETS phase 4 such as total emission allowances issued (Cap), free allocation method, carbon leakage list, market stability reserve, and innovation supporting system. In addition, we analyzed the impact of key design elements and their changes during EU ETS Phase 1 to 4 on the design and operation of Korea emission trading system in the future. First of all, the expected impact on the design of Korea emission trading system is to increase three demands: preparing benchmark renewal plans, establishing criteria for selecting free allocation industries that reflect domestic industrial structure and characteristics and introducing two-stage evaluations for free allocation industries, and preparing specific plan to support innovation and industries using allowance auction revenues. The next three impacts on the operation of Korea emission trading system are the increased needs for objective and in-depth impact assessment of plan and amendments, provision of system stability and response opportunities by quickly confirming plan and amendments prior to the implementation, and coordination of the emission trading system governance and stakeholder participation encouragement.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.64 no.5
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• pp.667-679
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• 2015

The bearer of the power sector's ETS compliance cost is power consumer for the following reasons. Firstly, power companies are constrained in establishing appropriate strategies to comply with ETS regulations due to the structural differences between the domestic power market and emission trading system. In other words, because power companies do not have a right to determine price and production of electricity, they have to compete with other companies under disadvantaged conditions in the emission trading market. Secondly, because ETS compliance cost is part of power production costs as it is also clearly written in the national greenhouse gas reduction road-map and the second energy supply plan, the cost should be included in power price following the power market operation rule. Thirdly, the most effective method to reduce carbon emissions in power sector is to reduce power demand, which is efficiently achieved through raising power price to a realistic level. Low power price in Korea is the major cause of rising power demand which is also the major cause of rising GHG emission. Therefore, power sector's ETS compliance cost should be included in power price to encourage power consumers' actions on reducing power consumption. Fourthly, when externality cost occurs in the process of delivering public services, usually beneficiary pay principle is applied to identify the cost bearer. Since electricity is one representative public good, the bearer of power sector's ETS compliance cost is power consumer.

• THE INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE & LAW REVIEW
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• v.46
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• pp.265-313
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• 2010

Kyoto Protocol is an international convention on concrete performance program for UNFCCC(United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change), which regulate and prevent to global warming and officially came into effect on February 16, 2005. Kyoto flexible mechanisms, the agreed environmental system in March 1997 in the Third Conference of Parties in UNFCCC General Assembly, Emission Trading System(ETS), Clean Development Mechanism(CDM) and Joint Implementation(JI), are key policies related to environment. In advanced countries, greenhouse gas emissions should be reduced average 5.2% level compared to 1990 in total emissions during 2008-2012. World leading carbon market finished the trial on the EU ETS I greenhouse gas emissions trading system, EU ETS II is operated regularly after 2008. World Bank leads to make 'Prototype Carbon Fund(PCF)' in April 2004, which is the world first carbon fund and a representative public carbon fund type, World Bank operate various funds including present PCF. Thus, I would like to propose as follows in relation to this study: First, in the validity analysis of carbon funds, it would be needed to analyze the Emission Reduction Cost Efficiency(ERCE) of carbon. The ERCE is a break-even value which brings the Net Present Value(NPV) to zero. NPV approach is used among projects and it enables potential projects to be compared and evaluated the ERCE on the basis of the net present value of net future cash flows. Therefore, according to results of analysis, carbon funds should be developed and invested. Second, it would be necessary to allow of issuing bonds together with carbon funds, carbon finance etc. Third, carbon funds, it would be reasonable to have a relatively enough maturity in project and as a financial derivatives in the international financial markets, it is needed various types of transactions. Fourth, it would be needed to standardize the carbon emissions trading for more efficiently. Fifth, it would be necessary to establish and invest in various kinds of domestic and overseas global carbon funds, including governments, privates, governments and privates sectors. And it is also needed to establish the medium and long term plans for carbon funds. Sixth, it would be needed to foster the advanced trade mechanisms for carbon funds in the most effective ways. Finally, carbon funds should be used in harmony with international societies to reduce global warming as the social responsible investing funds and it should be contribute to sustainable development. In addition, it would seem that carbon funds should be studied on establishing the contributable standard of sustainable development in the future assignment.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aviation and Aeronautics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 2016

Global aviation is projected to grow in demand by an annual average of 4.1% between 2014 and 2034. It can be said that environmental impact from aviation will therefore be expected to increase on a similar scale. As regards civil aviation emissions, the sector contributes between 2~3% to International aviation GHG emissions. In the European Union(EU), aviation emissions account for about 3% of the EU's total green house gas emissions, of which a majority are said to come from international flights. In terms of traffic volume in 2013, Korea's international aviation industry 11th with regard to passengers and 3rd with regard to cargo, attaining the overall rank of 5th in the world. GHG emissions has been increasing steadily over the last 4 years, averaging 3.9 percent a year, due to the growth of low cost carriers and the increased demand for air transportations. As for aviation in Korea, there are a number of means intended to attain the Government's emission control objective in an efficient manner, such as AVA (Agreement of Voluntary Activity), TMS (Target Management System) and ETS (Emission Trading Scheme). In addition, the Government intends to better adapt to ICAO's Global MBM(Market-based Measures) that will come into performance on Year 2020. In the study, we focused on GHG mitigation measures that is fulfilling the AVA, TMS, ETS in the Government and suggest the effective measures to reduction the aviation GHG emissions.