TC Web Desk
Outlining the performance of the company’s sustainability activities in 2021, Samsung Sustainability Report, 2022 includes major activities under its five sustainability pillars — environment, employees, sustainable supply chain, empowering communities and digital responsibility. In particular, it highlights the company’s emphasis on stronger sustainability governance within the board of directors, expanded sustainability activities in the business units, joining the UN Global Compact and the placing of the Sustainability Council under the direct supervision of the CEO in 2022.
According to the press statement released by Samsung Electronics, the company put sustainability first while managing its business interests and significantly strengthened its sustainability governance to ensure this principle continues to be applied to all parts of its organization. To strengthen the board of directors’ supervision of sustainable activities in 2021, the Governance Committee, which had formerly been under the remit of the board, was expanded to the Sustainability Committee. The Sustainability Council, an executive-level consultative body, was placed under the leadership of the CEO earlier in 2022.
“Samsung Electronics is making efforts to offer sustainable products to its customers. As part of these efforts, it has rolled out eco-conscious innovations including smartphones and monitors that incorporate materials recycled from discarded fishing nets and ocean-bound plastics and new, low-power semiconductors. It has also developed AI-based SmartThings Energy, a service that helps conserve energy by using a power saving mode that smart home appliances come equipped with, and SolarCell Remote Controls, which can be charged by sunlight or indoor lighting,” said the statement.
In addition, the company increased its renewable energy use by 31%, compared to 2020, by continuously expanding the use of renewable energy across its business premises worldwide. It also plans to achieve 100% renewable energy in its business premises in Latin America and Southwest Asia by 2025—a goal which has already been reached in the US, Europe and China.
The company is also expanding its cooperation with its stakeholders in relation to sustainability. In March 2022, the company joined the UN Global Compact, a specialised organisation under the United Nations that was established in 2000 with the aim of promoting the sustainable growth of companies and society at large. It is also developing a washing machine that reduces the impact of microplastics in collaboration with Patagonia.
