• 한국대기환경학회지
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• 제29권5호
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• pp.668-681
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• 2013

The Korean government announced a national mid-term target to reduce 30% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from business-as usual (BAU) level by 2020 in a voluntary and independent manner. In this study, we examined the $CO_2$ mitigation potential and conducted an economic effect analysis of green living actions in households in Korea. We also proposed some ways to implement green life to achieve the national target. If green lifestyle takes root in households nationwide, $CO_2$ emission would be reduced to 27.3% of the emission in 2007. This would save the country about 4.93 trillion won per year and each household could save about 300,000 won per year, which accounts for about 0.5% of GDP (as of 2007). Considering the five-year plan for green growth to invest 2% of GDP in green growth every year, this would not only reduce the economic burden on households, industries and the country but also increase economic growth potential by reinvesting the saved resources into green growth. Heating and lighting would be the greatest contributor to GHG mitigation of green life in the residential sector. It means we could achieve the national goal by reducing unnecessary heating and lighting and using energy-saving electric home appliances. The implementation of green living actions would reduce a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions, ultimately relieving the burden on businesses to reduce GHG emissions. And it is one of the most cost-effective mitigation tools in order to achieve the mid-term GHG mitigation goal.