Gyeonggi Province, South Korea – The "Climate Action Opportunity Income" program, launched by Gyeonggi Province in July 2023, has surpassed 1 million subscribers. This initiative rewards residents for their voluntary participation in carbon-neutral practices, such as using public transportation and choosing reusable containers for food delivery.

The program, a collaboration between the province and the Gyeonggi Environmental Energy Promotion Agency, aims to incentivize eco-friendly behavior by providing social value-based compensation to participants who engage in carbon reduction activities in their daily lives.

Key Activities and Participation

The program encompasses 13 key activities, including:

Obtaining Climate Citizen certification
Participating in environmental education
Joining plogging or줍깅 (picking up trash while jogging) activities
Exploring biodiversity
Communicating about climate change
Installing home solar power systems
Purchasing high-efficiency appliances
Using PC power-saving programs
Finding tumbler-friendly cafes
Using reusable containers for food delivery
Utilizing public transportation
Walking or cycling
Residents aged 7 and above can participate by downloading the "Climate Action Opportunity Income" app from app stores and registering as members. Rewards are paid in the form of local currency, with a maximum annual payout of 60,000 KRW.

Demographics and Impact

The majority of subscribers (50%) are in their 40s and 50s, followed by those in their 20s and 30s (34%), seniors aged 60 and above (12%), and those 10 and under (4%). Female subscribers make up 65% of the total, while male subscribers account for 35%.

Gyeonggi Province estimates that the program has contributed to a reduction of approximately 130,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to planting 1.04 million pine trees.

Future Plans

The province plans to expand the program by adding five new activities this year, including climate quizzes, recycling of old appliances and clothes, proper disposal of high-quality recyclables, and energy-saving challenges. A budget of 35 billion KRW has been allocated for the program, with plans for additional funding if the target of 1.35 million subscribers is exceeded.

Cha Sung-soo, head of Gyeonggi Province's Climate Environment and Energy Bureau, stated, "The Climate Action Opportunity Income program is promoting a culture of voluntary climate action among residents and is making a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions."

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