In South Korea, several initiatives are underway to promote low-carbon diets. In farming communities, there is a push to adopt environmentally friendly techniques that reduce carbon emissions, while efforts are being made to promote locally sourced food in distribution channels to reduce food miles. In addition, there is a growing number of low carbon-certified agricultural and livestock products, with more and more farmers joining the movement. Initiatives, policies and businesses aimed at reducing food waste, promoting vegetarianism and increasing consumption of plant-based protein alternatives and dairy products are gaining traction, led primarily by local governments, public institutions and large corporations.

In 2012, the government launched a pilot project for low carbon certification of agricultural and livestock products, initially focusing on five items: rice, sesame leaves, lettuce, apples, and pears. This initiative was then expanded in 2014. The low carbon certification is awarded to environmentally friendly farms that emit fewer greenhouse gases from their agricultural production by using low carbon agricultural practices such as optimizing fertilizer use, implementing crop rotation, using homemade agricultural materials, practicing intercropping, using hydroponics, and using biological resources for weed and pest control. A total of 24 agricultural and livestock products produced using such low-carbon agricultural technologies have been awarded low carbon certification marks. Currently, 973 agricultural organizations have low carbon certification for staple crops, vegetables, fruits and specialty crops. As of last year, there were 9,086 certified farms.
Local food refers to agricultural products produced within 50 km of the consumer. Purchasing agricultural products with low food miles from farm to table reduces transportation distances, thereby reducing energy use and carbon emissions from transportation. By eliminating long-distance transportation, there is no need for preservation treatment. Another benefit is the accessibility of fresh ingredients due to the proximity of production sites. By 2050, 1,800 direct local food sales outlets will be established nationwide. As an alternative to minimizing food waste at the distribution and consumption stages, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced food labeling standards in 2022, changing the existing “best before” dates to “use by” dates starting in January 2023.

In April 2022, Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation launched "Green Food Day" as part of an ESG management strategy to reduce carbon emissions in the food sector, focusing on aT company cafeterias. The nationwide adoption of a low carbon diet was officially announced during the "Korea Green Food Day" proclamation ceremony on September 14 of the same year. In addition, KB Financial Group initiated the "K-BAB Project" to address food waste at the corporate level. At the same time, Seoul introduced the "Zero Dining" system as part of the "Seoul Without Disposables" initiative. In addition, the Jeonbuk Provincial Office of Education implemented "Low Carbon Vegetarian School Meals," which provides pescetarian meals once a week and twice a month.

The quality and nutritional value of alternative meats that replace high carbon animal products has improved significantly, stimulating markets and products in this sector. Recently, a domestic alternative meat company, WEMEAT, launched an alternative meat made from mushrooms. It is competitive in taste, texture and nutrition. The choice of these plant-based protein products and vegetarian lifestyles is now becoming a common preference among the entire population, not limited to specific groups. E-Mart, an SSG Group company, signed an agreement with Zikooin Company to sell an alternative meat product, "UNLIMEAT", and CU sells its "Vegetarianism" and "UNLIMEAT" brands from Earth Company. Seven-Eleven also introduced the vegetarian convenience food brand “GrainGreat”. E-Mart24 also entered the market with a new product line, “Home Party”, which includes vegetarian ham, sandwiches and kimbap under the vegetarian brand.