KB Financial, Small Actions at the Table 'Carbon Zero, I Will Eat Well'

34% of Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions Originate from Food Production and Consumption Activities
Proposing 'Small Practices on the Table to Eat Well Without Leaving Leftovers'

[Asia Economy Reporter Sim Nayoung] KB Financial Group has released a video titled “Carbon Zero, I Will Eat Well!” as part of the ‘K-BAB Project’ to mark ‘Kimchi Day (November 22),’ which was established to highlight the nutritional value and importance of kimchi, symbolizing that each ingredient in kimchi comes together to provide 22 benefits (on the 22nd).

The ‘K-BAB Project’ is an initiative by KB Financial to reduce the amount of food wasted during distribution and consumption stages in response to the global food crisis. It is the third activity of the Korea Better campaign, following the K-Bee and K-Bag projects, aimed at creating a better world.

This video was planned jointly by Professor Seo Kyung-deok, known as the ‘Korean Informant,’ and KB Financial, with comedian Park Narae, who spreads positive social influence through volunteer work and donations, participating as a talent donor for the narration.

The video conveys that carbon is generated throughout all processes from fertilizer use, ingredient transportation, food manufacturing, and packaging until food reaches the table. It also highlights that food waste, when landfilled, produces methane gas, and that 34% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from food production and consumption activities. At the same time, it introduces the actions KB Financial is taking to create a healthy table that protects the Earth and encourages public participation.

KB Kookmin Bank also shares the message and meaning of the ‘K-BAB Project’ and has been operating a low-carbon diet that minimizes carbon emissions every Monday at the Yeouido headquarters cafeteria since last year. The first Wednesday of every month is designated as ‘Zero Waste Day,’ promoting efforts to reduce food leftovers, with all employees participating to improve eating habits.

Professor Seo Kyung-deok said, “On the occasion of the day commemorating kimchi, a food Koreans love and consume the most but also waste a lot, I wanted to deliver a message to think once more about food loss and waste.” He added, “I hope this becomes an opportunity for people’s small actions to come together so that food produced at the expense of the Earth and environment is not wasted carelessly.”

Park Narae, who narrated the video, said, “I felt a great sense of responsibility knowing that while some people suffer from famine and hunger on one side of the Earth, food waste overflows on the other.” She added, “Simply eating well without leaving leftovers can help the Earth and environment we live on, so I hope many people take interest and join together.”

A KB Financial official said, “This year, to fulfill our responsibility as a corporate citizen in action, we have carried out various projects to protect the Earth and environment, including the current K-BAB Project.” They added, “We will continue to promote social campaigns to create a better world.”

Meanwhile, on the 19th, KB Financial held a cooking class for employees and their families using ‘imperfect agricultural products’?which are discarded due to shape or blemishes despite having no issues with taste or nutrition?to foster employee consensus on the ‘Food Refurb’ movement.

The “Carbon Zero, I Will Eat Well!” video can be viewed on the KB Financial Group YouTube channel.