How is LG’s Road to Net Zero Powering a Sustainable Future?
As climate challenges intensify and consumer expectations shift, LG Electronics is aligning innovation with impact.
The company’s latest 2024–2025 Sustainability Report reveals a sharpened focus on decarbonisation, resource circulation and inclusive growth.
As LG expands its global influence, it’s also accelerating efforts to redefine what responsible technology leadership looks like — building a blueprint for sustainable living, business and society.
A net zero vision
At the heart of LG’s sustainability strategy is its commitment to achieve net zero operational emissions by 2030.
Since 2019, the company has already reduced Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 40% (baseline: 2017) and aims to completely eliminate them within the decade.
This is supported by a strong RE100 commitment, transitioning to 100% renewable electricity across global production sites.
“To achieve carbon neutrality in the production stage by 2030, LG Electronics is expanding the use of high-efficiency equipment to improve energy efficiency and accelerating the transition to renewable energy across our production sites,” says William (Joowan) Cho, CEO of LG Electronics, in the report.
To get there, LG is leveraging AI-powered energy optimisation systems, smart grids and solar power installations across its manufacturing and logistics facilities.
In 2023, its use of renewable energy increased by 11% year-on-year, a result of both onsite generation and procurement through Power Purchase Agreements and renewable energy certificates.
Circular economy at scale
LG's approach to sustainability is circular by design.
“We have identified three key areas for the planet: Carbon Neutrality, Circularity and Clean Technology (the 3Cs) and three for people: Decent Workplace, Diversity & Inclusion and Design for All (the 3Ds) as our mid- to longterm strategic tasks,” says William in the report.
The company is scaling its efforts to recover and reuse critical resources through global take-back schemes, repair-friendly product design and improved recyclability.
In 2023, LG recovered 527,000 tonnes of waste electronics across 52 countries.
Through its Green Program Plus, it now evaluates more than 2,900 suppliers annually based on environmental performance, ensuring circularity is embedded at every level of the value chain.
On the product front, recycled plastics accounted for more than 32,000 tonnes of material use in 2023, with the company aiming to surpass 600,000 tonnes cumulatively by 2030.
LG’s Styler, WashTower and LG OLED lines continue to lead the charge in eco-design, boasting high energy efficiency and reduced material intensity.
Inclusive and responsible growth
Sustainability at LG extends well beyond environmental metrics.
The company is driving initiatives across DEI, human rights, supply chain ethics and corporate governance.
As part of its DEI goals, LG has grown the number of female managers and executives and expanded programmes supporting underrepresented talent in leadership roles.
The company also mandates human rights impact assessments across overseas operations, with corrective actions developed and monitored at executive level.
Its Sustainability Management Council, led by the CEO, ensures that ESG performance is integrated into all decision-making processes.
This governance structure is supported by ESG-specific KPIs embedded into board oversight and executive remuneration systems.
Empowering sustainable lifestyles
LG’s vision of a sustainable future is not limited to its operations, it’s also helping customers live more sustainably.
Its Smart Home Energy Platform, showcased at CES 2024, gives users real-time energy monitoring and appliance control, encouraging smarter energy behaviours.
Its "Better Life for All" campaign also reinforces LG’s commitment to education, accessibility and digital inclusion, while partnering with global organisations to expand technology access in underserved communities.
“We will continue to leverage our industry-leading core technologies to create solutions that benefit people and the planet,” comments Lyu Jae-Cheol, President of LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company.
LG’s sustainability journey reflects a strategic integration of environmental and social priorities with business innovation.
As global regulations tighten and consumers demand more from brands, LG is setting an example of how large-scale manufacturers can deliver purpose-led performance.
