Samsung Electronics today announced its new environmental strategy, a comprehensive effort to join global efforts to tackle climate change.
It includes commitments to achieve enterprise-wide net zero carbon emissions and plans to use more renewable energy, as well as investments in and research into new technologies to develop energy-efficient products, increase water reuse, and develop carbon capture technology.
At the heart of the new commitment is achieving net zero carbon emissions (Scope 1 and Scope 2) for all operations in the Device Experience (DX) Division by 2030 and across all global operations, including the Device Solutions (DS) Division, by 2050.
The DX Division encompasses the company’s consumer electronics businesses, including Mobile experience, Visual Display, Digital Appliances, Networks, and Health and Medical Equipment, while the DS Division includes the Memory, System LSI, and Foundry businesses.
In addition, Samsung Electronics has joined RE100, a global initiative dedicated to achieving 100% renewable energy. As part of this effort, the company plans to use renewable energy to meet the electricity needs of all international markets it operates in outside of South Korea within five years.
The new plan builds on Samsung Electronics’ existing climate change efforts and significantly expands the scope of its programmes and investments. Samsung develops new technologies and implements more sustainable practices to create a better future for all.
“The climate crisis is one of the greatest challenges of our time. The consequences of inaction are unimaginable and require the contributions of each and every one of us, including businesses and governments, “said the vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, CEO Jong-Hee Han.“Samsung is responding to the threat of climate change with a comprehensive plan that includes reducing emissions, adopting new sustainability practices, and developing innovative technologies and products that are better for the planet.”
We will improve resource circulation throughout the product lifecycle, from procurement to recycling and disposal. The plan also describes investments in new technologies to reduce emissions from process gases and reduce power consumption in consumer products. The company also plans to explore carbon capture and utilisation technologies to combat harmful particulate matter in the air.
Recognizing the need for an innovative approach to environmental sustainability, Samsung Electronics is committed to reducing environmental We plan to invest more than 7 trillion won in the initiative. The investment amount does not include the costs associated with expanding the use of renewable energy.
Net zero direct and indirect carbon emissions by 2050
Samsung Electronics plans to achieve net zero direct and indirect carbon emissions by 2050, and the DX division will We have reached our goal of 2030. By achieving net zero direct and indirect carbon emissions, Samsung Electronics expects to reduce emissions by approximately 17 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) based on 2021 figures.
To further these efforts, Samsung Electronics will invest heavily in innovative processing plant technology to reduce CO2 emissions. By 2030, the company plans to develop new technology to significantly reduce process gases, a by-product of semiconductor manufacturing, and to install processing equipment in semiconductor manufacturing lines. Samsung Electronics will continue to expand the use of waste heat, and he plans to reduce the use of LNG boilers by considering the introduction of electric heat sources.
Samsung Electronics joins RE100 to reduce indirect CO2 emissions from power consumption, aiming to meet the power needs of all businesses worldwide with renewable energy by 2050. As part of this initiative, Samsung Electronics said that within five years it will operate not only the DX Renewable Energy Division but all operations outside South Korea. The company’s renewable energy procurement methods include signing power purchase agreements (PPAs), purchasing renewable energy certificates, and participating in green pricing programs.
The target for adapting electricity consumption to renewable energy is 2022 for South West Asia and Vietnam. 2025 in Latin America. 2027 for Southeast Asia, the CIS, and Africa. Samsung Electronics plans to roll out renewable power purchase agreements (PPAs) in the US, China, and Europe, where it has already embraced the use of renewable energy.
RE100 lists South Korea, home to many Samsung Electronics manufacturing plants, as one of the most difficult countries to source renewable energy. This is in part due to the country’s renewable energy market, which has begun to expand corporate procurement opportunities but remains limited.
Also, as Samsung Electronics expands its production capacity, the power demand of its semiconductor manufacturing facilities continues to increase to meet global demand. But the company aims to be more proactive in reaching renewable energy adoption and acknowledges the urgency of today’s climate challenges. The company will also strengthen cooperation with various stakeholders, including technology industry peers, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations.
Ultra-Low Power Products and Resource Circulation
Part of Samsung Electronics’ commitment to a healthier planet includes making products more energy efficient and consuming less power while making their entire lifecycles more sustainable. This includes ensuring that it is made from available raw materials.
Ultra Low Power Semiconductors and Energy Efficient Electronic Products: From procurement to disposal and recycling
Samsung Electronics plans to develop new low-power technologies to reduce energy consumption in everyday consumer electronic devices. This includes the development of new ultra-low-power memory chips aimed at significantly reducing the annual power consumption of memory products used in data centres and mobile devices by 2025 compared to today’s products.
The company also implements low-power technology in its seven major models of home appliances: smartphones, refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, TVs, monitors, and PCs, with the goal of reducing power consumption by an average of 30%. increase in Samsung Electronics will set medium-to long-term reduction targets for emissions (Scope 3) in the value chain. Samsung Electronics will also focus on new approaches to reduce emissions in areas such as supply chain, logistics, and resource recycling, helping suppliers set emissions targets and reduce efforts.
Maximizing Resource Circularity Across the Entire Product Lifecycle
Samsung Electronics will double down on efforts to improve the resource circularity of electronics over the entire lifecycle of a product, from raw material sourcing to disposal and recycling, ensuring that every resource is used with as little impact on the environment as possible.
This all starts with reassessing the use of natural resources in product development. Samsung Electronics has created a new Circular Economy Lab to conduct comprehensive research on material recycling technologies and resource extraction processes from waste with the aim of applying these technologies to maximize resource circularity. In addition, Samsung Electronics plans to establish a system by 2030 in which minerals extracted from all collected waste batteries can be reused.
Also by 2030, the company aims to have 50 percent of the plastic used in its products incorporate recycled resin. The year 2050 will see this figure increase to 100 percent. The Galaxy Z Fold4 has already been designed to incorporate plastics recycled from discarded fishing nets and the success seen here will soon be expanded to additional products.
To address sustainability after product use, Samsung Electronics plans to expand the scope of its electronic waste collection system from approximately 50 countries to about 180 countries by 2030. Through this, the company plans to collect a cumulative 10 million tons of electronic waste between 2009 and 2030, the highest target in the industry and a cumulative 25 million tons by 2050. Samsung Electronics will also actively promote an upcycling program that collects used smartphones and reuses them for other purposes such as IoT (Internet of Things) devices.
Water Conservation and Pollutant Treatment Measures
Samsung Electronics also plans to maximize water resource efficiency. As domestic semiconductor manufacturing capacity expands, the daily water withdrawal needs from Samsung Electronics’ semiconductor operations in Korea are projected to double from current levels by 2030. However, the company is committing to maximizing water reuse, therefore keeping actual water withdrawals to 2021 levels.
For the DX Division, the company plans to promote water reuse by improving its water treatment facilities and to restore the same amount of water as it consumes by 2030 through water restoration projects such as water quality improvement and stream restoration.
Simultaneously, the DS Division aims to apply new technologies that remove air and water pollutants emitted during the semiconductor manufacturing process and treat them before being discharged to ensure that they have almost no additional impact on the environment from 2040.
Company-wide, Samsung Electronics plans to obtain a platinum-level Zero Waste to Landfill Certification issued by global safety certification organization Underwriters Laboratories (UL) for all global operations by 2025.
Invest in and Develop Innovative Technologies for a Sustainable Future
Samsung Electronics intends to apply the company’s leading technology in addressing global climate challenges. In particular, the company will focus on developing carbon capture and utilization technologies to reduce carbon emissions and clean air technologies to reduce particulate matter, which has become a pressing global environmental challenge.
The Carbon Capture Research Institute was established within the Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT) in September 2021, the first of its kind in the semiconductor industry. The key mission of the Institute is to develop and commercialize carbon capture and utilization technologies that make it possible to store carbon discharged from semiconductor industrial sites and turn it into a usable resource. The technologies developed by the Institute will first be applied to semiconductor production lines after 2030 and then to other parts of the company as well as its suppliers.
The company will also develop clean air technologies, including new filtration systems, to reduce particulate matter and plans to expand usage to local communities from 2030.
Additionally, Samsung Electronics plans to identify and invest in startups that support innovative green technologies. The company is also committed to fostering ideas and supporting projects that tackle climate change through its C-Lab, the in-house venture incubation and external start-up acceleration program.
Accountability and Tracking Progress
To ensure accountability, Samsung Electronics will have its efforts objectively verified by designated organizations. Its performance will be assessed via participation in the Samsung Institute of EHS Strategy’s certification system and verified by a Carbon Reduction Verification Committee that includes third-party experts.
The company has developed implementation roadmaps for each environmental goal, including the net zero and circular economy targets, and will track progress and ensure robust implementation through the Sustainability Council, chaired by the CEO, and the Sustainability Committee, consisting of outside directors.
Source: Samsung
