Samsung Ranks in Top Corporations Responding to Climate Change

In a recent annual Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index (CDLI), Samsung Electronics was selected and ranked top five globally among corporations responding to climate change.

Samsung tied for fourth place overall and top in the IT industry. This is Samsung's second consecutive year from last year's No. 10.

The index highlights the constituent companies within the FTSE Global Equity Index Series (Global 500) which have displayed the most professional approach to corporate governance in respect of climate change disclosure practices.

"Samsung was also one of a select group of companies selected both for the CDLI and the CDP’s new Carbon Performance Leadership Index (CPLI), receiving a grade of 'A'. The CPLI recognizes companies that are taking action to reduce global emissions and demonstrating strategy, governance and stakeholder communications in their CDP responses," the press release states.

These successes was brought about by the PlanetFirst™ initiative, a companywide commitment announced in July 2009 to become one of the world’s most environmentally friendly companies by 2013.  Under PlanetFirst, Samsung invested about US$865 million in environmentally friendly initiatives last year, including eco-friendly product and materials development, greening of manufacturing sites and the development of energy-efficient technologies.

By the first half of 2010, "Samsung had reduced sales-normalized greenhouse gas emissions at its manufacturing facilities by 31 percent from 2008 levels. This puts Samsung on track to exceed its stated PlanetFirst goal of a 50 percent reduction by 2013. Samsung also underwent a third-party verification of greenhouse gas emissions...In addition, new Samsung products are 16 percent more energy efficient compared with 2008 levels, a reduction of 9.6 million tons of indirect carbon emissions from January 2009 through June 2010."

Senior vice president and head of the CS & Environment Center Park Sangbum says that they were “pleased that Samsung commitment to sustainable business operations continues to be recognized in the CDP’s rankings and our improvement this year is a testament to that commitment.”

The CDLI index, compiled by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) on behalf of CDP, provides an evaluation tool for institutional investors. Only the top 10 percent of the 500 corporations selected using the FTSE standard are included in the CDLI. The new CDPL supplements the existing index by assessing companies for the action they are taking to reduce global emissions and mitigate the risks of climate change.

“Companies in this new Carbon Performance Leadership Index are demonstrating leadership in their commitment to manage greenhouse gas emissions,” said Paul Dickinson, chief executive of the Carbon Disclosure Project. “Companies which manage and reduce their emissions, maximize business resilience and capitalize on opportunities, will be the best placed to succeed as we move towards a low carbon economy.”

Check out www.cdproject.net for the Global 500 Report including names of companies featured in the Carbon Disclosure Project. Congratulations to Samsung Electronics!