Gyeonggi Province Turns Cold Shoulder to Eco-Friendly Product Purchases

While the government mandates public procurement of eco-friendly products, Gyeonggi Province has been neglecting this obligation, according to recent findings.

The Gyeonggi Research Institute reported on the 13th in its "Plan to Revitalize Green Production and Consumption in Gyeonggi Province" that although the number of eco-friendly product manufacturers in Gyeonggi Province currently stands at 162—accounting for 36% of the national total—and the number of eco-friendly products reaches 798, representing 52% nationwide, the province ranks last in the eco-friendly product purchase rate.

The "Eco-Friendly Product Purchase Promotion Act," enacted in 2004, defines "eco-friendly products" as those that contribute to resource conservation and reduce environmental pollution compared to other products or services of the same purpose, and mandates a certain percentage of public procurement.

As a result, the value of eco-friendly product purchases through the Public Procurement Service grew from 75.9 billion won in 2004 to 434 billion won in 2005, marking a 5.6-fold expansion of the eco-friendly product market.

By region, North Gyeongsang Province led with a 98% eco-friendly product purchase rate, followed by Jeju Province at 86.4%, Seoul at 83.2%, Gwangju and North Jeolla Province each at 71.0%.

In contrast, Gyeonggi Province lagged at 8.8%, the lowest nationally, with Incheon at 23.9%, Busan at 24.2%, Daegu at 27.1%, and South Gyeongsang Province at 30.3% following in order of poor performance.

The report attributed the low purchase rates to insufficient awareness among public officials.

A survey of civil servants in Gyeonggi Province and its 31 cities and counties revealed that 53% of respondents stated they "are unable to obtain information about eco-friendly product purchases," while 81.9% answered that "inter-departmental cooperation is not smooth."

To expand eco-friendly product purchases, the report recommended ▲enacting an "Eco-Friendly Product Promotion Ordinance" ▲encouraging participation through partnerships among government, businesses, and citizens ▲providing support to eco-friendly product manufacturers ▲establishing an electronic system for eco-friendly products and providing information.