Purpose of Research
○With a global movement toward a green economy, the Korean government recently announced “a transition to a green economy through scientific methods for achieving carbon neutrality” as one of 110 national policy tasks, and presented ways to promote the green industry and green technology. The agricultural and forestry sectors also need to boost green technology and industries, including low-carbon agriculture, precision agriculture, and environment- friendly agriculture.

○This study aims to present policy tools for expanding green technology by examining the environmental and economic sustainability of its use in the agricultural and forestry energy sector and by analyzing obstacles to using the technology in the sector. More concrete objectives of the study are to: (1) examine the current status and problems of fossil-fuel based energy use; (2) empirically analyze the economic and environmental benefits and ripple effects of major green technologies related to energy; (3) analyze obstacles to using energy-related green technologies; and (4) derive methods of encouraging the use of the technologies in the domestic agriculture and forestry sectors.

Research Method
○This study applied cost-benefit analysis to calculate the economic and environmental benefits of the green economy; utilized marginal abatement cost analysis to prioritize green technologies; and used environmental input-output analysis to analyze the economic ripple effects of the green economy. The study established a framework for identifying barriers to and factors in expanding green technology. We surveyed farmers and policymakers on the present state of green technology expansion, related policies, barriers to and factors in expanding green technology, and analyzed the survey results. We visited and investigated related domestic institutions and conducted an on-site case study; and analyzed the current status of energy use in agriculture and forestry and researched methods of improving its efficiency, jointly with an expert at the Korea Energy Economics Institute. Last, we consulted specialists in green energy, green cultivation, and green livestock production to verify the effects of green technologies.

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