LG vows to further reduce gas emissions

By Kim Yoo-chul

LG Electronics said Tuesday that it plans to accelerate its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 14 million tons this year.

This marks an 8-percent improvement from last year when the Seoul-based firm cut emissions by 12.91 million tons.

``LG Electronics expects to attain its savings target of 30 million tons in 2020 on a yearly basis and a cumulative amount of 200 million tons by then,’’ LG spokesman Yoon Won-il said.

``In addition, we are developing our own emissions trading scheme.’’

LG is one of the bigger local players to join global initiatives in cutting emissions of greenhouse gases, which are widely believed to be a major factor in climate change.

Korea has the infamy of racking up the fastest growth in carbon emissions among the member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

In order to amend its bad reputation, Korea is to spend 27.5 trillion won over the next two decades to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Along the same line it hopes to save some 30 trillion won in energy imports.

Despite such bold government initiatives, debates are still ongoing here as the nation’s leading business lobby groups are against the stricter rules on CO2 emission cuts.

Such an atmosphere seemingly aggravates some big industries such as petrochemical businesses fearing the added costs will chip away at their bottom line.

The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has consistently opposed to the government’s plan of introducing a carbon tax to meet its target of cutting emissions 4 percent by 2020.

In contrast LG was one of the local companies which have spearheaded the efforts to fight greenhouse gases.

Yoon said it’s set to activate some comprehensive measures for effective management of the reductions and to help its key suppliers obtain such advanced systems.

LG has just begun controlling the volume of greenhouse gases emitted during logistics procedures that include the transportation and distribution of its goods.

The LG Group-affiliated electronics unit is also ready to increase efficiency in its production facilities and encourage the recycling of waste heat, Yoon said.