Boram Koh (gobo)




Carbon Credit: New Currency in the Anthropocene Era

2022


“Carbon Credit: New credit in the Anthropocene era” is research and conceptual product design that uses an existing carbon credit system to reflect on ontological Meaning of Carbon in the Anthropocene. By rethinking the existential meaning of carbon, the project aims to understand its role and impact in modern capitalism, and to empower individuals to take more action and maintain a sustainable lifestyle, which in turn can positively stimulate businesses.







The Anthropocene refers to an era in which human activity is having a significant impact on the Earth's geology and ecosystems, with carbon emissions playing a particularly important role. The carbon credit system is a mechanism within capitalism that facilitates the reduction of carbon emissions, primarily among countries or companies. Each company or country can buy or sell credits if they exceed or reduce a set amount of emissions. So I see this carbon credit as the new currency of the Anthropocene era, and I think it is necessary in the long run to motivate individuals to participate in this trend and understand the system.













Conceptual Design

This project proposes an app-based platform that encourages and rewards carbon emission reduction activities through a citizen-participatory system. Users can use the app to accumulate rewards for their green activities and when they reach a target of 1 carbon credit, they can take three actions: keep, convert real money, or discard company carbon credit. The last action in particular empowers users to directly influence a company's carbon footprint, encouraging them to take more voluntary actions that have a positive impact on the environment. 



Regional collaboration: The system works with organisations in regions and countries to build public-private partnerships (PPPs) and provide a list of carbon-reducing actions tailored to the region and country.

Cash and vouchers: To promote a positive cycle of sustainable choices, the system offers vouchers in the form of incentives for environmentally friendly behaviour.

Carbon calculators: To more accurately data the amount of carbon dioxide saved through different actions, we work with companies that specialise in carbon footprint analysis. 

Corporate collaborations: Many companies are actively engaged as part of their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investments.



Green living is often the privilege of the wealthy, as sustainable consumption requires significant research time and money, but this design allows anyone to use the app and earn rewards to make the choices they want to make like eliminating corporate carbon credits or buying eco-friendly products without those constraints. As a result, it allows individuals within the capitalist system to deeply explore the existential meaning of carbon in the Anthropocene, and suggests new ways to promote sustainable living.






bormakoh.gobo@gmail.com