Sign the EV pledge, earn up to 22,000 carbon neutrality points

South Korea's Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy announced Monday it will launch a pledge campaign to encourage people to switch to electric vehicles.

The campaign aims to spread climate action in everyday life and reduce carbon emissions from the transportation sector. The ministry plans to expand participation in stages — starting with employees at companies and public institutions before opening to the general public — to build awareness of eco-friendly mobility and translate that interest into real behavioral change.

Participants sign a pledge committing to prioritize public transit for everyday travel and to purchase zero-emission vehicles — including electric vehicles — when renting or buying a car for trips or business travel.

Anyone who joins the campaign will receive 2,000 carbon neutrality points upon signing, with an additional 20,000 points awarded if they subsequently purchase an electric vehicle.

The campaign kicks off Monday with an internal sign-up drive at the ministry and its affiliated agencies. Starting Nov. 27, anyone can join through the integrated Korea Climate Action and Carbon Neutrality Points website or the CarbonPay mobile app.

New users must register for an account to receive carbon neutrality points. The 2,000 points for signing will be credited at the end of next month, while the criteria and procedures for awarding points upon an actual electric vehicle purchase will be announced separately.

"Achieving carbon neutrality in the transportation sector requires not only government policy support but also the active participation of individual citizens in switching to electric vehicles," said Kim Sung-hwan, minister of climate, environment and energy. "Through this campaign, we will help turn pledges into actual purchases and real-world EV use, and work with businesses, public institutions and the public to spread a culture of eco-friendly mobility."