As the world becomes increasingly conscious of the need to protect the Earth, environmental problems have emerged as an urgent international issue requiring cooperative solutions. Many international conferences have discussed these issues, resulting in a number of environmental agreements. To effectively address these challenges, it is time to strengthen environmental standards and redefine the roles of governments, businesses, and the public.

Therefore, KDI (Korea Development Institute) and FES (Friedrich Ebert Stiftung) held a joint seminar titled Environmental Policy Towards the Year 2000: European Experiences and Alternatives for Korea, inviting Korean and German scholars to explore the direction of Korea's environmental policy for the year 2000, based on European―and particularly German―experiences.

The seminar was held at KDI, Seoul, on June 23, 1993. Three German scholars and experts, including Mrs. Marion Caspers-Merk, a member of Parliament, presented papers on German environmental policy experiences. The theme was explored in great depth. On the Korean side, four scholars and experts, including Dr. Chin-seung Chung and Dr. Il-chong Nam, both fellows at KDI, prepared papers on Korea’s environmental policy.

This publication presents the proceedings of the seminar, including six papers. In the appendix, two additional papers are presented: one on the effects of German reunification on environmental policies, and another on the decentralization of environmental policy. I hope this proceedings volume contributes to the development of environmental policy in both countries and promotes academic exchange between Korea and Germany.

ChapterⅠ. The Shared Roles between the Control and Local Governments for environmental Preservation

Ⅰ. Korea's Environmental Policy in the Age of Decentralization- Chin-seung Chung & Hoi-seong Jeong
1. Introduction
2. The Framework of Environmental Policy Implementation
3. Decentralization of Environmental Responsibilities in Korea
4. Guidelines for Developing Decentralized Policy Structures
5. Policy Recommendations for Effective Decentralization
6. Concluding Remarks

Ⅱ. The General Setting for Environmental Policy in the Federal Republic of Germany-Global Action, Central Regulation, Local Action- Marion Caspers-merk
1. Germany's Federal Structure and Its Importance
2. Local Actions-Environmental Policy at Municipal Level
3. Environmental Policy at State Level
4. Federal Government-National Backdrop for Environmental Policy
5. From Throw-Away Society to Product Responsibility
6. Flood of Laws and Water Shortages

ChapterⅡ. Policy Options to Induce Environmental Investment from the Private Sector
Ⅰ. Using Price Mechanisms in Waste Management: Korea's Case- Il-chong Nam
1. Introduction
2. An Overview of the Environmental Policies of Korea
3. Current State of Waste Management in Korea
4. Alternative Policies
5. The Case of Used Lubricating Oil
6. Conclusions

Ⅱ. Public Policies and Instruments to Increase the Private Sector's Contribution to Environmental Protection in Germany- Rolf-Ulrich Sprenger
1. Introduction
2. Major Environmental Policy Issues in Germany
3. The Role of Instruments in German Environmental Policy
4. Other Pressures on the Private Sector
5. Trends and Conclusions

ChapterⅢ. The Role of NGOs on Environmental Preservation
Ⅰ. The Role of NGOs in the Building Process of an Environmentally Sustainable Society- Moon-kyu Kang
1. Introduction
2. Who are NGOs
3. The Present Situation of the Korean Environmental NGOs
4. NGO Called for Action with Alternative Treaties
5. Advocacy, Campaign and Awareness Building
6. Environmental Information
7. Education for Alternative Lifestyle
8. Conclusion

Ⅱ. The Role of NGOs in German Environmental Policy-History, Organization and Activities of Different Environmental NGOs in the Federal Republic of Germany
1. Historic Roots of the German Environmental Movement
2. Future NGO Perspectives
3. Environmental Policy Perspective and Conclusion