2025 EACNCA | Seoul: Tackling Unrestricted VOCs Emissions through Integrated Governance
ICLEI East Asia launched the East Asia Carbon Neutral Cities Accelerator (EACNCA) project in 2024 and has implemented it annually to highlight decarbonization efforts of local governments across the region. The project systematically documents innovative practices and governance experiences of cities on their path towards carbon neutrality, aiming to serve as references for policymaking and knowledge exchange, and inspire global cities to scale up climate action and replicate successful models. The 2025 EACNCA focuses on the governance of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), key precursors to PM₂.₅ and ozone, in three East Asian capital cities: Seoul, Beijing, and Tokyo.
This Seoul case demonstrates Seoul’s efforts in implementing seasonal control measures in the industrial, transportation, and construction sectors; routine control measures that aim to address VOCs emissions from everyday and diffuse sources, and continuous capacity building initiatives. The case further highlights how Seoul addresses unrestricted VOCs emissions from small-scale sources such as dry cleaners, printing shops, construction sites, and automobile repair shops, mainly through support in low-emission equipment adoption and promotion of low-VOCs products. Through targeted and localized interventions, Seoul not only significantly reduces total VOCs emissions but also better controls hazards and health risks.