Samsung signs onto the RE100 sustainability initiative

Samsung Electronics has signed onto the RE100 initiative, a global campaign to replace all electricity generated by fossil fuels with renewable energy by 2050, the company announced Thursday.

Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Han Jong-hee speaks about the company's effort for sustainable development during the CES 2022 in Las Vegas. [SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS]

Samsung Electronics has signed on to the RE100 initiative, a global campaign to replace all electricity generated by fossil fuels with renewable energy by 2050, the company announced Thursday.

As a major electricity consumer, the electronics maker aims to power its domestic and global operations with clean electricity by the target year.

In the beginning, it will focus on its consumer electronics and smartphone factories and offices, with a goal of converting them by 2030. After that, chip factories will be converted.

In the past, Samsung has said that an inactive renewable energy trading system in Korea's private sector prevented it from making the carbon neutrality commitment. It said its subsidiaries in the U.S. and Europe are already tapping renewable energy sources for factories and office buildings.

The company vowed to overcome the obstacles by using technologies designed to curb emissions of carbon and greenhouse gases. “In recognition of the need for innovative approaches to environmental sustainability, Samsung Electronics will invest over 7 trillion won ($5 billion) in its environmental initiatives by 2030, including reducing gases, conserving water, expanding electronic waste collection and reducing pollutants,” it said in a statement.

Chip manufacturing is behind a great amount of carbon dioxide Samsung emits. Chipmakers directly emit greenhouse gases from the use of fossil fuels and generation of chemicals such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and perfluorocarbons (PECs) in the manufacturing process.

Samsung Electronics will develop a range of techniques by 2040 to contain the impact of those chemicals and liquid waste have on the environment. “The climate crisis is one of the greatest challenges of our time,” said Han Jong-hee, Vice Chairman and CEO of Samsung Electronics. "The consequences of inaction are unimaginable and require the contribution of every one of us, including businesses and governments.

“Samsung is responding to the threats of climate change with a comprehensive plan that includes reducing emissions, new sustainability practices and the development of innovative technologies and products that are better for our planet.”

RE100, short for Renewable Energy 100 percent, was started in 2014 by The Climate Group in partnership with the Carbon Disclosure Project. Its goal is to encourage global corporations to run on 100 percent renewable electricity by 2050. Some 380 corporations worldwide have joined the campaign including Apple, Google, Microsoft and General Motors.

BY PARK EUN-JEE [park.eunjee@joongang.co.kr]