South Korea, the fourth largest economy in Asia, has committed to selecting one of three targets for carbon emissions by 2020, joining Kyoto signatories in the effort to combat climate change. The government announced that it will decide on a 2020 gas emission target this year, with options including an 8 percent increase from 2005 levels, remaining unchanged from 2005, or a 4 percent reduction below 2005 levels. South Korea is a wealthy nation and a major industrial player in Asia. Emissions in the country doubled from 1990 to 2005, with per-capita emissions of carbon dioxide in 2005 at 11.1 tonnes, putting it on par with some European countries and ranking as the 17th largest among OECD members. Sang-hyup Kim, Secretary to the President for National Future and Vision at the Presidential Office, noted that the targets may seem modest in comparison to those set by developed countries. However, these efforts are of the highest sincerity and demonstrate Korea's capabilities. The government has estimated that each target will require between 0.3 and 0.5 percent of GDP, and will involve the increased use of hybrid cars, renewable and nuclear energy consumption, energy efficiency through the use of light-emitting diodes and smart grids. Developed nations, who are obligated by the Kyoto Protocol to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, are facing pressure from developing countries to increase their emission reduction targets as part of a larger climate agreement being negotiated. These discussions will reach a conclusion at the end of the year during a major UN meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark. Wealthy developing countries like South Korea, Singapore, and Mexico are also facing demands to announce their plans for reducing emissions. South Korea's goals for reducing emissions are not as ambitious as those of countries like the United States and the European Union. Japan and the United States are targeting reductions of 15 and 17 percent, respectively, by 2020 compared to 2005 levels. The European Union and Britain are aiming for even greater reductions of 20 and 34 percent by 2020, compared to 1990 levels. China and other developing nations are calling for developed nations to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40 percent by 2020 to prevent severe consequences of global warming like droughts, floods, and rising sea levels.