Seoul is expanding its popular Eco Mileage program in 2026, offering residents increased opportunities to earn points redeemable for city services and utilities by adopting sustainable habits. The initiative, launched in 2009, is evolving to include new “Green Practice” mileage options for activities like reducing food waste and driving more efficiently, alongside adjustments to existing programs for buildings and vehicles. These changes, set to roll out in January, aim to boost citizen engagement in Seoul’s carbon neutrality goals and ensure fairness across all participation avenues.
– Increased citizen participation in achieving carbon neutrality through a significant expansion of ‘Green Practice’ initiatives… up to 5,000 mileage points available.
– Existing building and passenger vehicle sectors will transition to an ‘application-based’ system within the evaluation period, considering fairness with other schemes.
– ‘January 2026’ participation expansion event planned… mileage points awarded for food waste reduction, separated plastic recycling certification, etc.
□ Seoul’s Eco Mileage program, a leading initiative supporting citizens’ carbon neutrality efforts, is entering a new phase. The city plans to introduce new participation categories, expand existing ones, and modify participation methods to encourage greater citizen involvement.
○ Launched in 2009, Seoul’s Eco Mileage program rewards citizens with mileage points for reducing energy consumption – including electricity, water, and gas – or decreasing vehicle mileage. Accumulated mileage can be redeemed for Seoul city tax payments (ETAX), Seoul Love & Onnuri gift certificates, gas bill payments, apartment management fee deductions, or charitable donations. The program aims to incentivize sustainable practices among residents.
□ Starting January 5, 2026, the newly introduced ‘Green Practice Mileage’ will offer up to 5,000 mileage points (equivalent to 5,000 won) for reducing food waste or adopting eco-friendly driving habits. Additional mileage will be awarded for participation in Eco quizzes and challenges, as well as attendance at Seoul-sponsored environmental or climate-related events, both online and offline.
○ The first iteration of the food waste reduction point program will recruit 1,000 participants in the first and second halves of the year, with mileage rewards ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 points based on reduction performance over a two-month period (February-March for the first half, August-September for the second half).
○ ‘Green Practice Driving Mileage’ will be linked to the safe driving score provided by Hyundai and Kia’s connected car services, awarding mileage points based on scores of 85 or higher.
○ Participants can earn 100 mileage points for completing environmental quizzes on the Eco Mileage website, with an additional 500 points awarded for successfully completing five quizzes. Further mileage, ranging from 500 to 1,000 points per participation, can be earned through online environmental events, on-site activities, and educational programs.
|
Category |
Practice Item |
Mileage(per instance) |
|---|---|---|
|
Online |
· Eco Quiz, Online Event (Awareness-raising) |
100~500 |
|
· Online Event (Action-oriented) |
1,000 |
|
|
Offline |
· On-site Events/Education Participation, etc. |
1,000 |
|
· Driving Mileage, Food Waste Reduction |
2,000~5,000 |
□ Existing Eco Mileage programs (buildings and passenger vehicles) will transition to an application-based system. The city aims to actively encourage citizen participation in energy conservation efforts and address discrepancies with the Carbon Neutrality Points program through these improvements.
□ For the building sector (electricity, water, and gas), a new ‘application-based’ system will be introduced within the evaluation period, offering mileage rewards of 10,000 to 50,000 points based on percentage of reduction.
○ Previously, building sector participation was automatic upon registration, making it difficult for participants to clearly understand their energy consumption patterns and actively work towards reductions. The city anticipates that the new ‘application-based’ system will enable citizens to accurately track their energy data, evaluation periods, and develop effective energy-saving plans.
□ The passenger vehicle sector will shift from year-round open enrollment to an ‘application period’ system, ensuring all participants are evaluated based on reduced driving distance during the same timeframe.
○ The application-based system for the passenger vehicle sector will run from February 2nd to February 27th, 2026, with annual driving distance reduction evaluated for submitted vehicles through October. This adjustment aligns with the participation timeline of the Carbon Neutrality Points (Automobile) program, which begins in March and concludes in October, ensuring equitable treatment across programs.
□ To promote awareness of the changes and encourage citizen participation, Seoul will launch a series of engagement events in January 2026.
○ Participants who successfully apply for the food waste reduction program or submit certified photos of properly separated plastic waste will receive 1,000 mileage points. Additionally, subscribing to the city’s fine dust and ozone alerts will earn 500 mileage points.
□ Kwon Min, Head of Seoul’s Climate and Environment Bureau, stated, “Citizen participation is essential for achieving carbon neutrality.” He added, “We encourage citizens to actively participate in the newly revised Eco Mileage program in 2026.”
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