Over the past century, Earth’s surface temperature has risen by 1.1°C—a pace and scale unprecedented in the past 100,000 years. This seemingly small change has already triggered dramatic effects, from droughts and floods to extreme heatwaves and cold snaps. Carbon neutrality is no longer an option—it is an imperative. With years of experience in climate change consulting, VERYWORDS is leading the effort to foster a culture of carbon neutrality at both corporate and national levels, grounded in the urgency of immediate action.
Creating a Platform Where People and Companies Build a Culture of Carbon Neutrality: POPLE World
In tackling climate change, VERYWORDS has not only designed strategies but translated ideas into action. The result is POPLE World, a cultural platform for carbon neutrality. CEO Sungwoo Kim explained that the platform was developed to allow individuals and companies to actively participate in carbon reduction, combining practical business insights with a vision for social transformation.
POPLE World supports this effort by offering an e-mobility ecosystem and a behavioral platform for voluntary carbon reduction. Users can record and verify their GHG reduction activities, store them as NFTs, and visualize their impact. Kim emphasized that the goal is to make carbon reduction efforts more accessible and engaging—especially in Southeast Asian countries like Cambodia.
“A 2009 survey by the Korean government showed that 90% of respondents were aware of the seriousness of climate change. Ten years later, that awareness remained—but few had translated it into action. That gap is exactly why we need a cultural approach to carbon neutrality.”
Having worked in climate consulting since 2003, Kim founded VERYWORDS in 2017 with a mission to offer solutions rooted in his personal philosophy. During consulting work with major Korean conglomerates, he conducted interviews at Google and Apple—both of which were already deeply engaged in climate action in 2018. That experience was a turning point. Inspired by how global tech leaders were integrating climate into their core strategies, Kim began developing his own carbon-neutral business models, culminating in POPLE World and his foray into e-mobility.
“It’s no exaggeration to say that launching POPLE World felt like starting a second company. I even published a book about that transformative journey.”
A New Way to Explore Angkor Wat: Carbon-Neutral Tours with E-Mobility
VERYWORDS is also attracting international attention through its GHG mitigation initiatives in Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. In Siem Reap, Cambodia, the company launched the POPLE Station, a multi-purpose cultural hub powered by solar energy. From there, visitors can rent electric motorcycles and explore Angkor Wat through a carbon-neutral tour. Users can also earn reward points for visiting certified low-emission restaurants and hotels—redeemable for charging services and accommodations.
Lee Sang-hoon, Chairman of the Korea Energy Agency, who supported the project through Korea’s overseas renewable energy program, praised POPLE Station as a model of ideal carbon-neutral development during its opening ceremony.
“Many return visitors tell us they’ve discovered a whole new side of Siem Reap. They enjoy the city in a new way—while contributing to environmental protection. We believe we are pioneering a new form of sustainable tourism.”
Cambodia has approximately 5.2 million registered motorcycles—twice the number in South Korea. In response to the Paris Agreement, the Cambodian government has set goals to reduce emissions by up to 42% by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050. Kim believes Siem Reap—home to compact city infrastructure and cultural heritage—is an ideal testing ground for the e-mobility model, which he plans to scale to Phnom Penh and expand to Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand.
“Southeast Asia is growing rapidly—but so are its emissions. We launched our project in Siem Reap to help protect this world heritage site from pollution and climate change. POPLE Station is our gateway to sustainable tourism.”
In March, VERYWORDS signed an MOU with Woori Bank Cambodia to build charging infrastructure in Phnom Penh, starting with 10 locations and aiming to scale to 140 branches nationwide. The company also partnered with FoodPanda, Cambodia’s largest food delivery platform, and is building an e-mobility production plant and a battery recycling facility—part of its mission to lead in GHG reduction.
Acting Now Is the Only Option
“I’m part of the first generation of climate consultants in Korea. As the Kyoto Protocol came into force, I saw the need to prepare businesses for change. Climate inaction will shrink markets and devastate lives. Our business model is rooted in that urgency.”
Kim stresses immediacy over complexity—favoring technologies that can be implemented now rather than waiting for future breakthroughs. He sees business not only as a vehicle for change but also as a responsibility.
“The GHG we reduce today will only show its full effect 30–40 years from now. Conversely, the emissions we’ve released so far will continue to impact the planet for decades. Every moment matters. If we act now, we can still reduce the suffering of future generations.”
Kim believes that culture is the fastest way to change perception and behavior—and that consumers hold the key to business transformation. As carbon neutrality becomes a purchasing priority, companies will adapt more quickly.
“We see ourselves as culture-makers. To create a sustainable future, we need pioneering spirit. Through our work in climate consulting and innovation, we’re building not just models—but a movement.”
Building a Responsible Value Chain, from Manufacturing to Recycling
VERYWORDS oversees the entire e-mobility value chain—from production to service to recycling. While this presents challenges for a startup, Kim believes responsibility over the full process is the true role of a modern enterprise. This integrity has earned recognition from the Cambodian government and international organizations.
The company’s battery recycling center is already demonstrating technical capability in reusing second-life batteries. Kim notes that global institutions like the UN increasingly identify the deployment of electric two-wheelers in developing countries as a priority—particularly given the pollution caused by motorcycles.
“Infrastructure and accessibility are the two biggest hurdles. E-mobility powered by solar energy offers a turnkey solution to both.”
VERYWORDS plans to distribute 3,000 electric scooters in Cambodia this year—a number with real potential to influence consumer behavior. The company aims to not only transform mobility but also close the gap with later market entrants.
“Every change we initiate becomes a story we can share. We hope to spark more change by spreading these stories far and wide.”
With its POPLE World platform, VERYWORDS is opening a pathway for more individuals and businesses to integrate carbon neutrality into daily life—bringing the world one step closer to a sustainable future.
Source: Monthly People (월간인물), June 2, 2023
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