[Unofficial Korean-English translation provided by Business & Human Rights Resource Centre]

"Despite emphasizing ESG...Samsung, LG, SK rated bottom for their efforts to address climate change", 30 October 2022

[...] According to the press release of Greenpeace's recent report 'Supply Change: Climate commitments and renewable energy progress by consumer electronics brands and their top suppliers,' major South Korean brands such as Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, and SK Hynix were rated at D or F in relevant assessments. Greenpeace East Asia, together with the US-based environmental organization Stand.earth, released a report that analyzed and assessed the performance of global electronics brands and suppliers in responding to the climate crisis. The report included analysis of 10 brands and 14 major suppliers, including semiconductor manufacturers, display manufacturers, and final assemblers, in East Asia. The evaluation focused on the establishment of climate change response targets, proportion of renewable energy usage and procurement method, electricity use and carbon emissions, and policy advocacy.

The report gave Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics an 'F' grade due to the shortage in their own efforts to respond to the climate crisis as well as their support for their supply chain. The proportion of renewable energy use in these companies was also low, at less than 20%. Greenpeace further pointed out that Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are relying on the Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) that have relatively low impact to source renewable energy.

[...] SK Hynix was given a 'D' grade, lowest among semiconductor manufacturers, as their carbon emissions increased 11.7% since 2019 and the proportion of renewable energy use was low. [...]