LG Electronics reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 220,000 tons

LG Electronics 2022-2023 sustainability report “Better Life for All” published Friday / Courtesy of LG Electronics

By Kim Hyun-bin

LG Electronics reduced greenhouse gas emissions by about 220,000 tons year-on-year in 2022 at its domestic and overseas facilities and increased the use of recycled plastics by 25 percent over the same period, according to a sustainability report the home appliance maker published Friday.

In the report, LG Electronics disclosed the performance and achievement strategies for six major tasks to achieve its environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) management vision of "Better Life for All." The six strategic tasks that LG Electronics is pursuing include carbon neutrality, resource circulation, eco-friendly technology, accessibility, workplace safety and diversity and inclusion.

According to the report, LG Electronics emitted a total of 927,000 tons of direct greenhouse gases and indirect greenhouse gases last year. The conversion rate to renewable energy stood at 8.2 percent. The carbon emissions per functional unit of LG Electronics' seven major products decreased by 13.1 percent compared to 2020. LG Electronics plans to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.

LG Electronics collected a total of 472,876 tons of waste electronic products in 52 countries and 87 regions last year, amounting to a cumulative collection of 3,992,768 tons since 2006. The amount of recycled plastic used in products reached 32,987 tons, showing an increase of approximately 25 percent compared to 2021. LG Electronics is also pursuing landfill certification for all its domestic business sites.

To improve product and service accessibility, LG Electronics has been incorporating voice recognition and guidance features in its key products. The sign language service for customer support, rental, and purchase consultations, which started in October two years ago, has surpassed 1,500 cumulative users.

In order to internalize ESG management, LG Electronics explained that it is expanding the role of the ESG Committee under the board of directors. The LG Electronics ESG Committee consists of four external directors and one internal director (CEO) for a total of five members.