Understanding Carbon Neutral Certification in Korean

Understanding environmental terminology is increasingly important in our globalized world, especially concerning sustainability efforts. This guide focuses on “Carbon Neutral Certification” (탄소중립인증) in Korean, providing essential vocabulary and phrases to discuss this significant environmental standard within a Korean context.

Core Expression

This is the primary term for “Carbon Neutral Certification” in Korean.

• Expression: 탄소중립인증
  Pronunciation: tan-so-jung-nip-in-jeung
  Meaning: Carbon Neutral Certification (A certification granted to products, services, or organizations that have achieved carbon neutrality)

Related Environmental Vocabulary

Here are some key terms related to carbon neutrality and environmental certification.

• Expression: 탄소 중립
  Pronunciation: tan-so jung-nip
  Meaning: Carbon Neutrality
• Expression: 인증
  Pronunciation: in-jeung
  Meaning: Certification, Accreditation
• Expression: 환경
  Pronunciation: hwan-gyeong
  Meaning: Environment
• Expression: 지속가능성
  Pronunciation: ji-sok-ga-neung-seong
  Meaning: Sustainability
• Expression: 온실가스
  Pronunciation: on-sil-ga-seu
  Meaning: Greenhouse Gas
• Expression: 배출량
  Pronunciation: bae-chul-lyang
  Meaning: Emission amount
• Expression: 탄소 발자국
  Pronunciation: tan-so bal-ja-guk
  Meaning: Carbon Footprint
• Expression: 기후 변화
  Pronunciation: gi-hu byeon-hwa
  Meaning: Climate Change
• Expression: 친환경
  Pronunciation: chin-hwan-gyeong
  Meaning: Eco-friendly
• Expression: 재생 에너지
  Pronunciation: jae-saeng e-neo-ji
  Meaning: Renewable Energy
• Expression: 탄소 상쇄
  Pronunciation: tan-so sang-swae
  Meaning: Carbon Offset
• Expression: 환경 보호
  Pronunciation: hwan-gyeong bo-ho
  Meaning: Environmental Protection

Understanding the Certification Process

These phrases help explain what carbon neutral certification entails.

• Expression: 탄소중립인증은 무엇인가요?
  Pronunciation: tan-so-jung-nip-in-jeung-eun mu-eot-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: What is Carbon Neutral Certification?
• Expression: 이 제품은 탄소중립인증을 받았습니다.
  Pronunciation: i je-pum-eun tan-so-jung-nip-in-jeung-eul bad-at-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: This product has received Carbon Neutral Certification.
• Expression: 탄소 배출량을 계산해야 합니다.
  Pronunciation: tan-so bae-chul-lyang-eul gye-san-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: You need to calculate the carbon emissions.
• Expression: 배출량을 줄이기 위한 노력이 필요합니다.
  Pronunciation: bae-chul-lyang-eul jul-i-gi wi-han no-ryeok-i pil-yo-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: Efforts are needed to reduce emissions.
• Expression: 남은 배출량은 탄소 상쇄로 중립화합니다.
  Pronunciation: nam-eun bae-chul-lyang-eun tan-so sang-swae-ro jung-nip-hwa-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: The remaining emissions are neutralized through carbon offsetting.
• Expression: 인증 기관에서 심사를 받습니다.
  Pronunciation: in-jeung gi-gwan-e-seo sim-sa-reul bat-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: It undergoes an audit by a certification body.
• Expression: 인증 절차가 어떻게 되나요?
  Pronunciation: in-jeung jeol-cha-ga eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
  Meaning: What is the certification procedure?
• Expression: 탄소중립인증 마크를 확인할 수 있습니다.
  Pronunciation: tan-so-jung-nip-in-jeung ma-keu-reul hwak-in-hal su it-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: You can check for the Carbon Neutral Certification mark.
• Expression: 이 인증은 환경 보호에 기여합니다.
  Pronunciation: i in-jeung-eun hwan-gyeong bo-ho-e gi-yeo-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: This certification contributes to environmental protection.
• Expression: 기업의 사회적 책임을 보여줍니다.
  Pronunciation: gi-eop-ui sa-hoe-jeok chaek-im-eul bo-yeo-jum-ni-da.
  Meaning: It shows the company’s social responsibility.
• Expression: 인증 유효 기간은 얼마인가요?
  Pronunciation: in-jeung yu-hyo gi-gan-eun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: What is the validity period of the certification?
• Expression: 인증 갱신이 필요합니다.
  Pronunciation: in-jeung gaeng-sin-i pil-yo-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: Certification renewal is required.

Phrases for Discussion

Use these expressions when talking about carbon neutral certification with others.

• Expression: 이 회사는 탄소중립인증을 받았나요?
  Pronunciation: i hoe-sa-neun tan-so-jung-nip-in-jeung-eul bad-an-na-yo?
  Meaning: Has this company received Carbon Neutral Certification?
• Expression: 탄소중립인증 제품을 선호합니다.
  Pronunciation: tan-so-jung-nip-in-jeung je-pum-eul seon-ho-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: I prefer products with Carbon Neutral Certification.
• Expression: 인증을 받는 것이 기업 이미지에 도움이 됩니다.
  Pronunciation: in-jeung-eul ban-neun geot-i gi-eop i-mi-ji-e do-um-i doem-ni-da.
  Meaning: Obtaining certification helps the company’s image.
• Expression: 정부에서 탄소중립 정책을 추진하고 있습니다.
  Pronunciation: jeong-bu-e-seo tan-so-jung-nip jeong-chaek-eul chu-jin-ha-go it-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: The government is promoting carbon neutral policies.
• Expression: 탄소중립인증의 기준은 무엇인가요?
  Pronunciation: tan-so-jung-nip-in-jeung-ui gi-jun-eun mu-eot-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: What are the criteria for Carbon Neutral Certification?
• Expression: 소비자들이 환경 문제에 더 많은 관심을 가지고 있습니다.
  Pronunciation: so-bi-ja-deul-i hwan-gyeong mun-je-e deo man-eun gwan-sim-eul ga-ji-go it-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: Consumers are showing more interest in environmental issues.
• Expression: 탄소중립인증 비용은 얼마나 드나요?
  Pronunciation: tan-so-jung-nip-in-jeung bi-yong-eun eol-ma-na deu-na-yo?
  Meaning: How much does Carbon Neutral Certification cost?
• Expression: 중소기업도 이 인증을 받을 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: jung-so-gi-eop-do i in-jeung-eul bad-eul su in-na-yo?
  Meaning: Can small and medium-sized enterprises also receive this certification?
• Expression: 탄소 배출 감축 목표를 설정해야 합니다.
  Pronunciation: tan-so bae-chul gam-chuk mok-pyo-reul seol-jeong-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: We need to set carbon emission reduction targets.
• Expression: 이 인증이 실제 환경 개선에 얼마나 효과가 있을까요?
  Pronunciation: i in-jeung-i sil-je hwan-gyeong gae-seon-e eol-ma-na hyo-gwa-ga it-eul-kka-yo?
  Meaning: How effective is this certification in actual environmental improvement?
• Expression: 탄소중립인증 관련 정보를 어디서 찾을 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: tan-so-jung-nip-in-jeung gwal-lyeon jeong-bo-reul eo-di-seo chaj-eul su in-na-yo?
  Meaning: Where can I find information related to Carbon Neutral Certification?
• Expression: 우리 회사도 탄소중립인증을 추진해 봅시다.
  Pronunciation: u-ri hoe-sa-do tan-so-jung-nip-in-jeung-eul chu-jin-hae bop-si-da.
  Meaning: Let’s pursue Carbon Neutral Certification for our company too.

Korean Culture Notes

Understanding the cultural context can enhance communication about environmental issues in Korea.

• Growing Environmental Awareness: While rapid industrialization was prioritized in the past, environmental awareness (환경 의식 – hwan-gyeong ui-sik) has significantly increased in South Korea. Consumers are increasingly interested in eco-friendly products and corporate sustainability efforts.
• Government Initiatives: The Korean government actively promotes green policies, including targets for carbon neutrality (탄소 중립 목표 – tan-so jung-nip mok-pyo). Understanding these national goals provides context for why certifications like 탄소중립인증 are gaining importance.
• Importance of Certifications: Certifications (인증 – in-jeung) hold significant weight in Korean business and consumer culture. They are often seen as reliable indicators of quality, safety, and, increasingly, environmental responsibility. Displaying a recognized certification mark can strongly influence purchasing decisions.
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): 기업의 사회적 책임 (gi-eop-ui sa-hoe-jeok chaek-im) is becoming a key factor in corporate reputation. Obtaining environmental certifications like 탄소중립인증 is viewed as a tangible demonstration of a company’s commitment to CSR and sustainability.
• Collective vs. Individual Action: While individual efforts like recycling (재활용 – jae-hwal-yong) are encouraged, there’s often a strong emphasis on collective action and systemic changes driven by government and corporations in addressing large-scale issues like climate change.

Real Conversation Example

Situation: Two colleagues, Minjun and Sora, are discussing a new coffee brand they saw in the office lounge.

Roles:
* A: Minjun
* B: Sora

• Expression: A: 소라 씨, 새로 들어온 커피 봤어요? 포장지에 처음 보는 마크가 있던데요.
  Pronunciation: A: so-ra ssi, sae-ro deul-eo-on keo-pi bwat-seo-yo? po-jang-ji-e cheo-eum bo-neun ma-keu-ga it-deon-de-yo.
  Meaning: A: Sora, did you see the new coffee? There was a mark I hadn’t seen before on the packaging.
• Expression: B: 아, 그거요? 자세히 보니 ‘탄소중립인증’ 마크더라고요.
  Pronunciation: B: a, geu-geo-yo? ja-se-hi bo-ni ‘tan-so-jung-nip-in-jeung’ ma-keu-deo-ra-go-yo.
  Meaning: B: Oh, that? I looked closely, and it was the ‘Carbon Neutral Certification’ mark.
• Expression: A: 탄소중립인증이요? 그게 정확히 뭐예요?
  Pronunciation: A: tan-so-jung-nip-in-jeung-i-yo? geu-ge jeong-hwak-hi mwo-ye-yo?
  Meaning: A: Carbon Neutral Certification? What exactly is that?
• Expression: B: 제품 생산부터 폐기까지 발생하는 탄소 배출량을 0으로 만들었다는 인증이에요. 배출량을 줄이거나, 상쇄해서요.
  Pronunciation: B: je-pum saeng-san-bu-teo pye-gi-kka-ji bal-saeng-ha-neun tan-so bae-chul-lyang-eul yeong-eu-ro man-deul-eot-da-neun in-jeung-i-e-yo. bae-chul-lyang-eul jul-i-geo-na, sang-swae-hae-seo-yo.
  Meaning: B: It’s a certification showing that the carbon emissions generated from production to disposal of the product have been made zero, either by reducing or offsetting emissions.
• Expression: A: 와, 그럼 꽤 친환경적인 제품이네요. 요즘 이런 인증이 중요해지는 것 같아요.
  Pronunciation: A: wa, geu-reom kkwae chin-hwan-gyeong-jeok-in je-pum-i-ne-yo. yo-jeum i-reon in-jeung-i jung-yo-hae-ji-neun geot gat-a-yo.
  Meaning: A: Wow, then it’s quite an eco-friendly product. It seems like these certifications are becoming more important these days.
• Expression: B: 맞아요. 기업들도 환경 문제에 신경을 많이 쓰고, 소비자들도 지속가능성을 중요하게 생각하니까요.
  Pronunciation: B: maj-a-yo. gi-eop-deul-do hwan-gyeong mun-je-e sin-gyeong-eul man-i sseu-go, so-bi-ja-deul-do ji-sok-ga-neung-seong-eul jung-yo-ha-ge saeng-gak-ha-ni-kka-yo.
  Meaning: B: That’s right. Companies are paying more attention to environmental issues, and consumers also consider sustainability important.

Practice Tips

Now that you’ve learned about 탄소중립인증 (tan-so-jung-nip-in-jeung) and related terms, try practicing them!

• Look for the 탄소중립인증 마크 (tan-so-jung-nip-in-jeung ma-keu) on products when shopping in Korea or online~
• Try discussing environmental topics like 기후 변화 (gi-hu byeon-hwa) or 지속가능성 (ji-sok-ga-neung-seong) with Korean friends or language partners!
• Read Korean news articles about 정부의 탄소 중립 정책 (jeong-bu-ui tan-so jung-nip jeong-chaek) to see the vocabulary in context.

Keep practicing, and you’ll become more comfortable discussing important environmental topics in Korean! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!)