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By Kang Seung-woo
As part of its One Less Nuclear Power Plant initiative, the Seoul Metropolitan Government is seeking to create an energy-efficient culture, and the Eco-Mileage program comes from that drive.
The Eco-Mileage system is an energy-saving program that engages citizens. The program offers incentives to households and organizations that voluntarily cut back on the use of electricity, water, urban gas and heating ―- by at least 5 percent compared to the monthly average of the previous two years ―- for six months.
If a household reduces energy use by between 5 percent and 10 percent, it receives 10,000 mileage points, and if it cuts between 10 percent and 15 percent, 30,000 points. And 50,000 mileage points are awarded to those who save more than 15 percent.
With the accumulated points individual households are able to make purchases, with one mileage point equivalent to the value of 1 Korean won. Using these points, people can buy eco-friendly household products, charge public transportation cards, procure gift certificates for use in traditional markets and exchange for credit card points.
For companies or organizations, Seoul selects those with excellent achievement in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and grants subsidies of between 5 million won ($4,420) and 10 million won, which can be used to equip these places with more energy-efficient facilities.
Incentives are provided twice a year.
The One Less Nuclear Power Plant initiative was launched in 2012 to reduce energy consumption and produce enough renewable energy to make up the output of one nuclear power plant. It is now under its second phase that will be completed by 2022.
"As households and businesses were the top two energy consumers, accounting for 53.8 percent, it was greatly important to introduce an energy conservation measure," a Seoul City official said.
According to the city government, Eco-Mileage has been recognized as the most successful energy-saving program for the general public.
The voluntary program was launched in September 2009 and as of September, 2.03 million members have saved 812,000 tons of oil equivalent (TOE).
Seoul City says the Eco-Mileage program is a highly efficient system.
"The amount of the energy reduction is equivalent to creating a forest 542 times the size of Yeouido or planting 256 million pine trees that are 30 years old," the official said.
"Plus, in terms of money, the reduction is worth 536 billion won, compared to the 22.8 billion won that was spent on incentives."
Seoul City estimates that its membership will reach 2.1 million and reduce the energy consumption of 850,000 TOE by the end of this year.
Given that the program has been implemented for a long period of time and the existing subscribers have difficulty lowering energy consumption consistently, the city government has set its sights on new members.
In 2018, 120,000 households and 6,000 organizations subscribed to the energy-saving program.
Those who want to save energy can join it with ease by visiting the Eco-Mileage website and signing up for a membership.
According to the city government, monthly electricity, water and gas consumption will be managed automatically for the members. Those who live in apartment complexes, where electricity and water are shared, need to enter only their gas account number on the bill at the website.
Offline registration is also available through the 120 Dasan Call Center or through community centers.
On the back of its success, the city government plans to expand the mileage system through promotions via the city-run traffic broadcasting channel TBS, on subways and through its website.
"Making the most of online and offline promotions and collaboration with civic groups, we plan to increase the number of members to 2.3 million by 2020," the city official said.
In particular, it will be more focused on encouraging more businesses that consume more than 200 TOE to join the program to boost the effect.
