탄소성적표지제도의 농업분야 적용과 시사점

Abstract

지구온난화로 인한 영향들이 세계 곳곳에서 피부로 실감할 정도로 나타나면서 기후변화 문제가 국제사회의 화두로 떠올랐다. 세계 각국의 온실가스 감축은 필수사항이 되었으며 재화와 서비스를 생산하는 산업부문에만 온실가스 감축의무를 부담시키는 것은 한계가 있으므로 소비부문에서의 온실가스 감축이 요구되고 있다. 소비부문에서 탄소감축을 유도할 수 있는 제도가 탄소라벨링이다. 탄소라벨링의 목적은 제품과 서비스의 원료생산에서 폐기까지의 전과정에서 발생하는 온실가스 배출량을 소비자에게 공개하여 저탄소 소비문화 확산을 유도함으로써 시장주도의 온실가스 감축을 도모하는 데 목적이 있다. 최근 영국, 일본 등 주요국에서 탄소라벨링 제도를 운영하고 있으며, 우리나라에서는 2008년 시범사업을 거쳐 2009년 2월부터 탄소성적표지제도로 운영되고 있다. 이 보고서는 국내외 탄소성적표지제도의 실태 파악과 농업분야 도입방안 모색을 위해 수행된 수시과제의 결과물이다. 여기서는 탄소성적표지제도의 의미와 국내 탄소성적표지제도의 운영실태, 영국, 스웨덴, 미국, 덴마크, 일본 등 주요국의 사례, 농업부문의 도입방안 등을 제시하고 있다.

Carbon labeling system is a noble concept aimed at reducing carbon emissions through more efficient methods of products and more responsible consumer habits. The system is designed to label the amount of carbon used in the stages of production, distribution, usage and disposal of the goods. The system has been implemented in places such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Sweden, and Japan to enable businesses to demonstrate to consumers their commitment to managing and reducing carbon emissions. Korea also has been operating carbon footprint labeling system for manufacturing products since February 2009. Carbon labeling system can play an important role in inducing market oriented low carbon green consumption by providing to consumers and stakeholders by calculating carbon dioxide emission quantity and reduction quantity throughout the life cycle of products and in ultimately establishing low carbon economic system by activating consumption as well as production of low carbon products. In case domestic agricultural products attach carbon labeling and implement marketing intensively, we can expect that it will make contribution to improvement of reliability of domestic agricultural products. At present, discussion for introducing carbon labeling system in agriculture is progressing partially but a full scale preparation for policy is not yet implemented. The purpose of this report is to explore policy implications and directions for introducing carbon labeling system in agricultural sector. Major results of the research can be summarized as follows: First, preparation of legal framework and cooperation system between related government departments must be established for introducing carbon labeling system in agricultural sector. In addition, it is necessary to designate in advance main certification institution of the labeling system in agriculture. Second, certification screening committee for operating carbon labeling system must be organized. The committee is a final approval institution which approves results of examination by members of certification screening committee and shall be organized through participation of experts in various fields together with main institution of certification. Third, one of the most important tasks for evaluation of carbon emission quantity and for its implementation in the field of agricultural food is to establish the database on life cycle inventory (LCI). Based on the inventory, the priority, for which product items shall be implemented, must be decided when selecting the object product items of carbon labeling system. Fourth, it is necessary to prepare plans to secure operation human resources of carbon labeling system and to prepare related educational system and qualification certification system. Fifth, for introducing carbon labeling system in agricultural field, establishment of systematic cooperation relationship between policy decision-makers and researchers is necessary. In activating life cycle assessment (LCA) method, preparation guidelines on product category rules (PCR), establishment of LCI, participations of research institutions in the field of agriculture, forest and fisheries are necessary. Through introduction of carbon labeling system, conversion into production-consumption paradigm of low carbon agricultural products must be promoted and environmental friendly agricultural technology system through participations of consumers must be established. Carbon labeling system shall be introduced in a direction to become profitable to all stakeholder in agricultural sector such as farmer, food manufacturing companies, distribution companies, and consumers. Simultaneously, introduction of carbon labeling system shall be implemented in a direction to make contributions to increase competitiveness of agricultural industry. Finally, introduction of carbon labeling system could be implemented as a momentum to upgrade the structure of our agricultural industry as the discussion becomes a momentum to promote distribution of low carbon agricultural policy and cutting-edge green technology in agricultural field.