Abstract
In Korea, a measurement strategy for Green Economy has been implemented through three
approaches; indicator sets, environmental accounts, and green industry statistics. First, Green Growth
Indicators (GGIs) and Green Life-style indicators (GLIs) have been compiled as a statistical indicator
system for cross-check and evaluation of green growth policies. An official website, where these
indicators are included, has been constructed and open to the public in order to help both the
government and members of society recognize green policies and their performance. Second, a system
of environmental-economic accounts (SEEA) has been developed for monitoring environmental
policies and concrete activities of Green Growth strategy. Finally, the green industry statistics have
been compiled to measure the greening level of the economy.
1. Background
1.1 Green Economy and Green Growth
Chapter 40 of Agenda 21 called on countries and the international community to develop indicators of
sustainable development. The UN Commission on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) has stated that
"such indicators are needed to increase focus on sustainable development and to assist decisionmakers
at all levels to adopt sound national sustainable development policies". Recently, as new
concepts go beyond purely economic dimensions, Green Economy and Green Growth have emerged.
However, for statistical offices, the challenge of providing information on them is not new because
many relevant issues were already addressed by developing Sustainable Development Indicators
(SDIs). The United Nations and the OECD have both conducted advanced work on conceptual
definitions of Green Economy and Green Growth, and have elaborated on the nature of their
relationship to sustainable development.
The Green Economy can be defined as an economy where economic prosperity goes hand-in-hand
with ecological sustainability. It is closely linked to and rooted in the broader framework of
sustainable development, which is already described in Agenda 21. It aims to integrate the 3 pillars of
economic development, environmental sustainability and social development. In other words, the
Green Economy is a new strategy in the sense that it focuses on greening economic systems through a
system change. Sustainable development as defined in Agenda 21 describes the need for incorporating
environmental sustainability into economic policies without providing guidance on “how”. Therefore,
The Green Economy has evolved into a new development paradigm illustrating how economic
development and environmental sustainability can reinforce each other and create a win-win synergy
to overcome the trade-offs of the conventional paradigm. In fact, an investment on ecological
resources and services, which include a stable climate, bio-diversity, and clean air and water, can be
an opportunity for profit, employment, and growth rather than a cost and burden on economy. On the
other hand, Green Growth is the process of greening a conventional economic system and a Strategy
to arrive at the Green Economy. Hence, Green Growth can be a concrete strategy for achieving
sustainable development1. In fact, Green growth means fostering economic growth and development,
while ensuring that natural assets continue to provide the resources and environmental services on
which our well-being relies. To do this, it must catalyze investment and innovation which will
underpin sustained growth and give rise to new economic opportunities