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| Kakao headquarters on Jeju Island / Courtesy of Kakao |
By Lee Kyung-min
Kakao has joined RE100, a global initiative whereby businesses aim to source 100 percent of their energy from renewables, including wind and solar energy, the tech company said Wednesday.
The global initiative led by the international non-profit Climate Group in partnership with the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) seeks to help influential businesses commit to the zero-carbon drive on a global scale.
Wednesday's announcement is the latest in the IT firm's efforts to promote green energy transition. It comes a year after its headquarters on Jeju Island began relying on solar power for 100 percent of its energy needs.
The partnership will commit Kakao to source 60 percent of its energy from renewables by 2030 and 100 percent by 2040.
The firm will establish a renewable energy consultative body to reflect varying interests and promote carbon neutrality.
Joining the RE100 is part of the company's Active Green Initiative (ACI), a commitment to participate in the global trend of pursuing sustainable goals.
The initiative, launched in April 2022, demonstrates the firm's attempts at corporate responsibility and greenhouse gas emission reductions.
Its efforts will be promoted on Kakao Talk ― the most widely used messenger app in Korea ― to raise awareness about the need to join the sustainability movement.
The importance of recycling and reducing the use of plastics will be among the key agenda items spearheaded to encourage users to be more mindful of environmental consequences and the importance of everyday contributions ― however small ― to make a positive change.
"We will continue efforts to better respond to climate change," Kakao head Hong Eun-taek said. "Kakao will fulfill our social responsibility, as expedited by green business practices with environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) considerations factored in.
The global initiative led by the international non-profit Climate Group in partnership with the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) seeks to help influential businesses commit to the zero-carbon drive on a global scale.
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