[Reporter’s Notebook] No “Energy Mountain” Without Public Buy-In

"What about the parking fees I have already paid?"

An official working at a public institution in the Yeongnam region expressed frustration upon hearing the news of the "alternate-day vehicle operation system." Since the agency is located in a leased building, he lamented that he has wasted hundreds of thousands of won in monthly parking fees. For those who could reach work in 20 minutes by car but now have to endure an hour-long commute on public transportation, the government's slogan to "save and conserve" has translated into a cost in both time and money.

It has now been three weeks since the government introduced the "alternate-day vehicle ban" as a measure to overcome the energy crisis originating from the Middle East. Some even describe this crisis as a state of emergency comparable to the "Third Oil Shock." While the intention for the public sector to take the lead in energy conservation during such a critical situation is commendable, the real issue is whether these efforts can truly resonate with the public. According to government estimates, the maximum daily oil savings from implementing the alternate-day vehicle ban in public institutions would be between 560 and 2,900 barrels—a mere 0.1% of Korea’s daily consumption of 2.81 million barrels.

The government’s strategy is to lead by example in the public sector and thereby encourage private sector participation. However, there are already signs that even within the public sector, people are looking for workarounds. For example, instead of complying with the restrictions, some are paying out-of-pocket to use nearby paid parking lots. On the 25th of last month, guidelines for the "five-day vehicle rotation system" were delivered to public institutions without any grace period, leaving no time for adequate preparation or explanation. A public institution official on site confessed, "It was only after receiving a call on the morning of implementation that we rushed to begin enforcement." In one institution, employees who had taken annual leave were urged to submit documents on the same day to prove exceptions, such as taking children to and from school or commuting long distances, which caused discontent. Even as some officials exhaust themselves trying to save energy, there have been frequent accounts of higher-ranking officials exploiting loopholes to continue commuting by car.

In such circumstances, it is hardly likely that the system will be fully established in citizens’ daily lives. At a public parking lot in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, which this reporter visited, chaos ensued at the entrance barriers as many private vehicles were unaware of the five-day rotation system. Heated exchanges between drivers and attendants became commonplace, and long lines of cars formed behind them. The local community center, responsible for oversight, had effectively abandoned efforts to promote or guide the system, citing a lack of staff.

Kim Seonghwan, Minister of Climate, Energy, and Environment, responded to questions about the effectiveness of the vehicle restriction system with the slogan, "Many a little makes a mickle." If the government’s wish for voluntary participation from the public can be realized, that would be ideal. However, this requires sophisticated incentives that touch on everyday life. Before forcing restrictions on driving days, there needs to be sufficient guidance. Flexible measures such as awarding more carbon-neutral points for reduced mileage or providing tangible tax benefits should be considered. Policies that reduce the need for travel itself, such as recommending telecommuting, should also be taken into account. To create a true “mountain” of public participation, it will take more than just words.

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