South Korea launches green credit cards program

The government of South Korea has launched a new 2011 policy for a greener lifestyle with the use of credit cards. Under the new program introduced by the Ministry of Environment customers are offered "green credits" for buying eco-friendly products or living green in ways such as taking public transit by using a so-called green credit card

"Accumulating green credits does not sound bothersome at all," says Kim Yong-sook, a59-year-old stay-at-home mother.

The combination of credit and green consumerism, the ministry said, is part of a drive to reduce the country's greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent from projected levels by 2020.

"You can earn bonus points in daily life when you buy a carbon-less labeling detergent or collect used batteries," said Hwang Suk-tae, a senior official at the Climate Change Cooperation division at the ministry.

Just saying no to a paper cup at coffee shops can add to carbon points, as the government terms them, which then can turn into cash rebates.

"We have a chance to change the current mantra that living green is tough to achieve," said Hong Sung-pyo, head of the Korea Green Purchasing Network.

He added that the official government Ministry campaign to craft a new spending method for green living had high prospects for success, instead of private companies that may regard this as a marketing opportunity.