The report provides a comprehensive overview of the company’s strategies, initiatives and performance in environmental, social and governance — highlighting ongoing efforts to achieve sustainable growth amid rapidly evolving industry dynamics and geopolitical uncertainty.

[Environment]

Building on its New Environmental Strategy announced in September 2022, Samsung remains committed to reaching net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions, maximizing resource circularity and addressing complex environmental challenges through technological innovation. Notably, the company is expanding its use of renewable energy to meet rising demand and reduce carbon emissions against the backdrop of rapid growth in AI technologies and related industries.

In pursuit of its 2030 net zero target for Scope 1 and 2 emissions, Samsung’s Device eXperience (DX) Division recorded a renewable energy transition rate of 93.4% as of the end of 2024. By applying high-efficiency energy technologies across seven product categories, it reduced average power consumption by 31.5% compared to 2019. Additionally, the DX Division signed new solar power purchase agreements (PPAs) at its Gumi and Gwangju sites to diversify renewable energy sourcing.

As part of its goal to apply recycled materials to all plastic components by 2050, Samsung incorporated recycled content into 31% of the plastic parts used in its products as of 2024.

The company also operates a range of e-waste collection programs in approximately 80 countries, including Korea, to strengthen global recycling and recovery systems.

Meanwhile, Samsung’s Device Solutions (DS) Division aims to reach net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2050 through continued investment in large-scale regenerative catalytic systems (RCS) for integrated process gas treatment and expanded use of renewable energy.

All global DS Division sites received the highest Platinum “Zero Waste-to-Landfill” certification from UL Solutions, a leading environmental and safety certifier. In addition, all Korean manufacturing sites earned top-tier certification from the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) for excellence in water resource management.

[Social and Governance]

Samsung is strengthening its health and safety management systems with the goal of achieving zero major industrial accidents and a top-tier global lost time injury rate (LTIR) by 2030, ensuring a safe, healthy workplace for all employees.

In 2024, the company conducted human rights risk assessments across Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America and the Middle East to identify and address key concerns. Based on stakeholder input from international organizations, NGOs and academia, Samsung developed and implemented a human rights risk management plan.

Within the supply chain, Samsung expanded the scope of third-party audits to 33 second-tier suppliers. Beginning in 2025, the company will implement a more advanced, integrated Supplier Code of Conduct to respond proactively to evolving global regulations.

Through the Samsung Software‧AI Academy for Youth (SSAFY) — one of the company’s flagship corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs — Samsung invested 37.5 billion won in 2024 to train approximately 2,200 young software professionals. This year, the program will introduce eight new AI training courses and upgrade infrastructure to support hands-on use of AI models. The Samsung Hope Stepping Stone program assisted 14,362 youth preparing to transition from protective care, opening new centers in North Chungcheong Province and Daejeon. Another center is scheduled to open in Incheon in 2025 to support more young people in need.

Furthermore, Samsung upholds privacy protection, information security, compliance and ethical management as core business priorities. A company-wide governance framework is in place to ensure effective oversight.

This year’s report aligns with global disclosure standards and is integrated with Samsung’s Sustainability website to improve accessibility.

The full 2025 Samsung Electronics Sustainability Report can be downloaded here.

Samsung continues to disclose the results of materiality assessments focused on sustainable management that consider both the impacts of corporate activities on the external environment and external factors on the company. This report contains Samsung’s strategies and major achievements related to the environment, social and governance.

[Environment]
Climate Change and Energy │ Resource Circularity and Waste │ Water

In September 2022, Samsung announced its New Environmental Strategy which includes the company’s goals to achieve net zero Scope 1,2 emissions by 2050, maximize resource circularity to contribute to a circular economy and tackle environmental challenges through technological innovation.

Samsung’s Device eXperience (DX) division aims to reach net zero Scope 1,2 emissions by 2030. The DX division achieved 93.4% renewable energy conversion as of the end of 2023 — which includes 100% renewable energy used at major global manufacturing facilities in the United States, Europe, Korea, China, Brazil, India and Vietnam.

In line with the company’s Resource Circularity Roadmap, recycled resin was incorporated in 25% of procured plastic parts purchased last year. Moreover, the DX division expanded its electronic waste (e-waste) recovery and recycling programs to more than 70 countries as of the end of 2023.

Samsung’s Device Solutions (DS) division installed new process gas treatment facilities (regenerative catalytic systems, RCS) and expanded the use of liquid natural gas (LNG) waste heat recovery systems in 2023 to help reach net zero Scope 1,2 emissions by 2050. As a result of various reduction activities, the DS division’s Scope 1,2 emissions decreased by 11.6% in 2023 compared to 2022. Additionally, the DS Division has expanded its renewable energy use by signing power purchase agreements (PPAs) in Korea to supply renewable energy from a 60-megawatt solar power plant.

Proving the excellence of its water management systems, Samsung obtained Platinum certification — the highest level — from the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) for its Giheung, Hwaseong and Pyeongtaek facilities in Korea and its Xi’an facility in China. Furthermore, the company is reducing waste generation by expanding the number of resource circularity certifications obtained from Korea’s Ministry of Environment to include certifications for nine new items as of March 2024. 

[Social and Governance] 
Employees │ Supply Chain │ Information Security and Protection │ Product Quality and Safety │ Business Conduct

Samsung is upholding human rights and improving working environments while striving to create a strong corporate culture for executives and employees. The Global Grievance Resolution Policy was enacted in April 2024 to ensure grievances received are fairly and consistently handled per the company’s Global Human Rights Principles. With a goal of increasing the number of women in the workforce, Samsung plans to more than double the baseline number of women executives by 2030 as compared to 2022.  

Continuing its support for employees with disabilities, Samsung opened a subsidiary standard workplace in 2023 called “Stellar Forest” to create sustainable jobs for people with developmental disabilities. Starting with a confectionary manufacturer that supplies baked goods to Samsung employees, Stellar Forest plans to diversify into additional industries to create more job opportunities fit for those with disabilities. 

Samsung is gradually expanding its supply chain management scope to include second-tier and non-manufacturing suppliers. Third-party audits were introduced to select second-tier suppliers in 2023, extending the Supplier Code of Conduct from manufacturing suppliers to all suppliers that provide products and services to Samsung. 

Furthermore, the company expanded its security platform Samsung Knox to cover not only smartphones but also smart TVs and smart home appliances. With regular security updates of Galaxy mobile devices, Samsung extended the support period for security updates up to seven years starting from January 2024. 

Samsung prioritizes personal information protection, product quality, customer safety, compliance and ethical management across the company. 

Samsung transparently and efficiently discloses related information through the Sustainability website. In addition, the company actively communicates with stakeholders through forums, surveys and on-site visits. 

Following the spread of non-financial information disclosures and other global trends, this year’s report faithfully communicates Samsung’s strategies, implementation activities and the current status of major sustainable management issues. 

The full text of the 2024 Samsung Electronics Sustainability Report can be downloaded here. 

Through this report, Samsung discloses its sustainability strategy and performance in the areas of People, Planet and Principle.

The report highlights major activities over the past year, including progress in implementing the New Environmental Strategy announced in September 2022 and the launch of the company’s Global Human Rights Principles.

The New Environmental Strategy specifies the company’s roadmap to achieve net zero at the Device eXperience (DX) Division by 2030 and at the company level including the Device Solutions (DS) Division by 2050, as well as its efforts to contribute to climate action and a circular economy.

In 2022, Samsung completed its transition to renewable energy use in Vietnam, India and Brazil — in line with the company’s goal to fully transition to renewable energy use at DX and all operational sites outside Korea by 2027.

In addition, the company increased the amount of recycled resin used in its plastic parts — on track towards its goal to use recycled resin in 50% of plastic parts by 2030 and in all plastic components by 2050.

In 2022, Samsung’s DS Division expanded installations of Regenerative Catalytic Systems (RCSs) in its facilities to treat process gas more efficiently and reduce direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Moreover, through its efforts to restore water to its natural state prior to discharge by 2040, Hwaseong Campus attained the highest Platinum rating issued by the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS).

Samsung continues to expand collaboration with various stakeholders. The company joined global initiatives such as RE100, the Asian Clean Energy Coalition (ACEC) and Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy (PACE). Samsung also collaborated with Patagonia to launch a filter that reduces microplastics released from washing machines.

This year’s Sustainability Report delves into the company’s approach to respecting human rights and fostering talent. In February 2023, Samsung announced its Global Human Rights Principles that highlight the company’s commitment to respect human rights in line with international standards, such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).

In terms of talent development, the company introduced the Free Agent (FA) initiative and Samsung Talent Exchange Program (STEP) in 2022 — expanding opportunities for employees to experience different functions within the company. Samsung also launched The University of Samsung Electronics (The UniverSE), a comprehensive training platform that supports employees’ professional development.

Furthermore, Samsung has included sustainability-related indicators in performance evaluations of organizational units and executives since 2021. Depending on the area or function, these performance metrics include indicators on GHG emissions reduction, renewable energy transition, energy efficient product development, compliance and accessibility.

Lastly, in February 2023, Samsung launched its Sustainability Website, a comprehensive platform that offers detailed information on the company’s sustainability-related activities. The website covers a wide range of topics including strategy and goals, ongoing efforts and progress, environmentally responsible products, policies, quantitative performance data, news and featured stories, as well as recognitions and awards.

The full text of the 2023 Samsung Electronics Sustainability Report can be downloaded here.

For more stories about Samsung’s sustainability initiatives, visit here.