Less Energy, a Better Economy, and a Sustainable South Korea: An Energy Efficiency Scenario Analysis

1 An energy efficiency scenario (Joint Institute for a Sustainable Energy and Environmental Future) dem- onstrates that an energy future built on the use of cost- effective, high-efficiency technologies is clearly within the grasp of South Korea and would justify a nuclear power moratorium with significantly lower carbon di- oxide emissions. This is a promising result, especially because applications of other sustainable energy op- tions, such as renewables, decentralized technologies, material recycling/reuse, ecologically based land use planning, forest conservation, sustainable agricul- ture, and redirection of economic development toward an environment-friendly industrial base, are not in- cluded in the analysis. Here lies one of the most funda- mental policy choices of the newcentury: Will we build a sustainable energy and environmental future, or will we send forward the burdens and risks of a policy re- gime that is unwilling to value the future beyond the satisfaction of short-term interests and convenience? It is a critical time for South Korean policy making.