Seoul Eco Mileage Group Members Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 510,000 Tons in One Year

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Comprehensive Evaluation of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Rates and Energy Saving Best Practices with Incentives up to 10 Million KRW

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Seoul City held an ‘Energy Saving Competition’ targeting Eco Mileage group members such as companies, public housing, and small business owners, resulting in 82,000 group members reducing 516,580 tons (t) of carbon dioxide over the past year.

On the 29th, Seoul City announced that by reducing 516,580 tons of greenhouse gases last year, it achieved an effect equivalent to creating a forest 165 times the size of Yeouido or planting 78.27 million 30-year-old pine trees.

By sector, the amount of greenhouse gas reduction was 258,225 tons for companies, 16,999 tons for apartment complexes, 106,660 tons for schools, 88,866 tons for public institutions, 6,904 tons for religious facilities, and 38,925 tons for small business owners.

Seoul City analyzed that energy-intensive businesses and companies consuming more than 2,000 TOE accounted for 50% of the total greenhouse gas reduction, leading the way in energy saving. Additionally, the significant increase in greenhouse gas reduction in schools and the low reduction in apartment complexes were attributed to social distancing measures such as reduced school attendance and expanded telecommuting due to COVID-19.

Looking at the award-winning groups by energy usage scale, among those using more than 1,000 TOE, the grand prize went to Maesave-Hyundai Outlet, and the excellence award to LG Electronics Yangjae R&D Campus. In the ‘200 TOE or more but less than 1,000 TOE’ category, NC Hongdae Toros-Shopping Tower won the grand prize. Next, in the ‘50 TOE or more but less than 200 TOE’ category, PNS-Nine Tree Premier Hotel won, and in the ‘10 TOE or more but less than 50 TOE’ category, Milal School took the prize.

Awards were selected by evaluating Eco Mileage group members by type and scale, then choosing one grand prize winner, two excellence award winners, and about 15 to 45 encouragement award winners by energy usage scale. Outstanding Eco Mileage group members saved energy through high-efficiency equipment replacement, improved operational management systems, and the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) equipment.

Seoul City provided these groups with incentives ranging from a minimum of 500,000 won to a maximum of 10 million won, including 10 million won for the grand prize and 7 million won for excellence awards. The incentives given to excellent groups are reinvested in energy saving, greenhouse gas reduction projects (over 80%), and contributor awards (within 20%) at the respective sites to create a virtuous cycle effect.

Seoul City urged effective and efficient energy-saving practices in apartment complexes, companies, schools, small business owners, and religious groups, especially as the recent impact of COVID-19 and climate change are expected to cause more erratic summer weather, with forecasts indicating hotter than average temperatures and frequent localized heavy rains this summer.

Kim Yeon-ji, head of the Environmental Citizen Cooperation Division of Seoul City, said, “The greenhouse gas reduction effect of Eco Mileage group members such as companies, hotels, and large marts is very significant,” and added, “We hope that more excellent cases will emerge in the summer Eco Mileage group evaluation through the spread of reduction methods and award-winning cases by building type.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.