[2021 Mirae Company Forum] CEO Kim Kyung-rok "Responding to Climate Change through ESG Management"

Kim Kyung-rok, CEO of Schneider Electric Korea, is giving a lecture at the '2021 Asia Future Business Forum' hosted by Asia Economy on the 29th at the Western Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. Asia Economy set the theme of this year's Future Business Forum as 'Korean-style ESG Solutions in the New Normal Era' and prepared a session to contemplate ways to enhance the value of our companies through expert lectures in the ESG field. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] "We plan to respond to climate change through sustainable management based on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance)."

Kim Kyung-rok, CEO of Schneider Electric Korea, stated this on the 29th while giving a lecture on ESG at the 2021 Asia Future Business Forum held at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Sogong-dong, Seoul.

Schneider Electric is a global company in the fields of energy management and industrial automation. Last year, it ranked first among the top 100 global sustainable management companies announced at the Davos Forum.

CEO Kim explained, "The greatest challenge humanity currently faces is climate change, and the biggest cause of climate change is carbon emissions," adding, "75% of carbon emissions come from the energy we use."

He emphasized, "Schneider Electric has been actively practicing ESG management for the past 15 years, a time when other companies showed little interest," and "Through ESG management, the company's mission and vision are to ensure that the benefits of green energy can be accessed by everyone, anywhere, in the future."

CEO Kim said that Schneider Electric will carry out ESG management activities through six long-term commitments.

The first is action for a world without climate deterioration. Kim stated, "In accordance with our carbon reduction pledge, we are developing innovative solutions to immediately and continuously remove carbon and are continuously investing," adding, "We will actively pursue eco-friendly management."

The second is efficient resource utilization. He explained, "We will act responsibly to preserve the Earth and make the most of digital technology," and "By 2025, we aim to increase the proportion of eco-friendly materials used in products to 50% and focus on eliminating primary and secondary packaging of single-use plastics."

The third is adherence to the principle of trust. CEO Kim said, "We all must comply with high social guidelines and ethical standards," and "We will enhance employee reliability through ethics and cybersecurity training." The fourth is creating equal opportunities. He stated, "We will ensure that all employees are recognized for their unique value and work in an inclusive environment to do their best, develop, and contribute."

The fifth is generational engagement, and the sixth is strengthening local communities. CEO Kim emphasized, "We will support learning, skills, and development across generations to secure a path for the next generation," and "We will also promote local initiatives and support individuals and partners to realize sustainability for all."

CEO Kim stressed, "Our purpose is to enable everyone to pursue and advance sustainability by maximizing the use of energy and resources."