Dobong-gu Carbon Sympathy Mileage Upgraded Through Resident Participation

Mileage Cap, Carbon Neutrality Practice Items, User Scope, Usage Expansion... Simplified Enrollment Procedures and Enhanced App Performance Within This Year... Increased Satisfaction

Dobong-gu’s “Carbon Gong(Zero) Gam(減) Mileage,” the nation’s first local currency-linked environmental mileage program, is taking a step forward as a resident-participation environmental mileage initiative.

Dobong-gu (Mayor Oh Eon-seok) is releasing an improved version of the “Carbon Gong(Zero) Gam(減) Mileage,” which was introduced to residents about a year ago in April this year. To this end, the district conducted a survey of 228 users in December last year to gather residents’ opinions.

First, the annual maximum mileage payout will be significantly increased. Reflecting feedback that users felt disappointed after reaching the mileage cap of 50,000 miles and being unable to participate further, the mileage cap will be raised by more than 50%.

Next, the number of carbon neutrality practice items will be expanded. In addition to the existing 41 items, new items that can be practiced in daily life will be added. The additional items include ▲walking more than 8,000 steps ▲using stairs instead of elevators ▲using Effective Microorganisms (EM) ▲using the Climate Companion Card, among others. Existing items will also be improved for user convenience by revising participation conditions.

Furthermore, the range of users eligible to participate in carbon neutrality activities and accumulate mileage will be broadened. Currently, only residents with an address in Dobong-gu can participate in accumulating Carbon Gong Mileage, but going forward, small business owners, office workers, students, and others living in the Dobong-gu area will also be able to participate.

Finally, the places where mileage can be used will be diversified. While accumulated mileage can currently be exchanged for Dobong Love Gift Certificates, this year it will also be possible to use mileage for paying city gas bills and other purposes.

The district plans to implement the expanded plan starting in April after sufficient preparation, including improvements to the IT system. Additionally, within this year, efforts will be made to simplify the registration process, improve processing speed, and enhance app performance to increase user satisfaction.

In a satisfaction survey conducted alongside the questionnaire, resident Kim ○○ said, “It helps the environment and I am very satisfied because I can accumulate mileage and use it as gift certificates in daily life.” Resident Heo OO stated, “I feel proud to participate in environmental conservation by using market baskets and personal cups more frequently.” The 228 users who participated in the survey gave a favorable first-year satisfaction score of 89 points (out of 100; 4.44 out of 5 points).

Mayor Oh Eon-seok of Dobong-gu said, “Thank you for sending various opinions on Carbon Gong Mileage, our district’s flagship carbon neutrality policy in the 8th local government term. As we enter the second year of operation, we will do our best to reflect your feedback and increase satisfaction.”

Meanwhile, Dobong-gu has been operating Carbon Gong Mileage since April 2023. Last year alone, 5,155 people joined as members, visiting the system 540,000 times and practicing carbon neutrality activities 200,000 times. This resulted in a reduction of 726 tons of greenhouse gases.