Mayor Park Seung-won praised the efforts of citizens on August 3, stating, "The participation of over 20,000 citizens in protecting the Earth is a testament to the power of the community in creating a carbon-neutral Gwangmyeong and is a significant achievement."
On this day, Mayor Park announced, "The number of participants in the Climate Volunteer initiative has surpassed 20,000, bringing us one step closer to realizing a carbon-neutral city created with the community."
The 'Climate Volunteers' initiative, a citizen-led movement to combat climate change, has seen its membership exceed 20,000, fostering a culture of carbon neutrality throughout the community.
Launched in September 2021, the Climate Volunteers program is Gwangmyeong's flagship citizen participation policy aimed at addressing global warming and expanding citizen actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Anyone aged 14 and older who lives or works in Gwangmyeong can join the initiative. Participants can engage in 24 action items, such as using reusable tumblers and shopping bags, and receive up to 100,000 won annually in Gwangmyeong Love Currency for their efforts.
Membership has steadily increased, surpassing 5,000 in September 2023, 10,000 in September 2024, and 15,000 in August 2025, with the total exceeding 20,000 on July 23. This consistent growth of about 5,000 members each year reflects the ongoing interest and voluntary participation of citizens in addressing climate change.
The growth of the Climate Volunteers initiative goes beyond mere participation numbers; it has led to an expansion of practical actions in daily life. As of July 30, the number of certified climate actions through the 'Climate Volunteers Carbon Savings Bank' reached approximately 2.17 million, resulting in a greenhouse gas reduction effect equivalent to planting over 270,000 trees.
Citizens have responded positively, recognizing that carbon neutrality is not just a lofty goal but a lifestyle that can be practiced daily through actions like using shopping bags, tumblers, and recycling. One participant noted, "Even small actions can change the environment when many people come together," while another shared, "I practice with my family to leave a clean future for our children," expressing support for the citizen-driven carbon neutrality policy.
Mayor Park plans to expand various policies and programs to further promote a culture of carbon neutrality based on citizens' voluntary participation. In particular, a new 'Climate Volunteers Carbon Savings Bank' app will be launched in October, and an automatic electronic receipt certification feature will be introduced for small business stores to enhance citizen participation convenience.
Existing photo certification methods for actions like using shopping bags and tumblers will also be improved to a data automatic linkage system, simplifying the participation process while increasing its effectiveness.
Additionally, Mayor Park stated, "We will strengthen policies to create a sustainable carbon-neutral city together with our citizens."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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