The concept of a personal carbon harvest digital platform for achieving carbon neutrality: A citizen participatory model

This study proposes a citizen-participation platform model for achieving urban carbon neutrality, focusing on the introduction of the personal carbon harvest (PCH) concept. PCH refers to the idea of converting the amount of carbon reduced through individual daily activities into incentives, thereby encouraging voluntary carbon neutrality practices among citizens and contributing to urban carbon neutrality goals. The research methodology includes a literature review to examine relevant theoretical backgrounds, such as carbon neutrality policies, citizen participation, and digital platform design methodologies. It also assesses the legal and institutional feasibility of introducing the PCH concept. Based on this, the study identifies the main components and functions of the PCH platform model. Key functions include analyzing individual carbon reduction activities, providing customized carbon reduction practice guides, offering incentives based on harvested carbon, and organizing community-based carbon neutrality campaigns. This study suggests that the proposed PCH platform model can establish a virtuous cycle where individual carbon neutrality practices lead to overall urban carbon reduction. The PCH concept can encourage active citizen participation and promote behavioral changes by providing immediate rewards for carbon neutrality practices. Moreover, a citizen-participation carbon neutrality platform can improve environmental education, foster community spirit, and revitalize the local economy. The findings of this study are expected to be a useful reference for formulating strategies to promote citizen participation and achieving carbon neutrality in urban administration using digital technologies.