The report details Samsung’s key environmental, social and governance strategies and achievements as the company works to fulfill its corporate responsibilities and build a foundation for sustainable growth amid evolving geopolitical risks and the rapid advancement of AI. In particular, the report highlights progress in water stewardship through a systematic water management framework across global manufacturing sites and initiatives to conserve aquatic ecosystems.

[Environment]

Under the New Environmental Strategy announced in September 2022, Samsung remains committed to achieving net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions, maximizing resource circularity and addressing environmental challenges through technological innovation.

As part of its goal to achieve net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, Samsung’s Device eXperience (DX) Division transitioned 94.8% of its total energy consumption to renewable energy as of the end of 2025. The division also reduced power consumption by an average of 34.4% compared with 2019 by applying high-efficiency energy technologies to its representative product models.[1]

Significant progress was made in resource circularity and water stewardship efforts. The DX Division increased the proportion of recycled plastic used in plastic components across all products to 33.7%[2] and earned UL Solutions’ highest Zero Waste to Landfill validation rating at all global manufacturing sites. Additionally, the division achieved a water replenishment rate of 67.2% in 2025 as part of its goal to replenish 100% of global water consumption by 2030.

Meanwhile, Samsung’s Device Solutions (DS) Division continued its efforts to achieve net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2050, introducing three additional regenerative catalytic systems and improving equipment energy efficiency. The division also advanced low-power technologies to meet its memory power consumption reduction targets, enabling the timely commercialization of more energy-efficient products such as HBM4 and PM1763. By 2030, the division plans to improve the energy efficiency of its HBM and server SSD products by 2.5 times and 4 times, respectively, to provide customers with optimized AI infrastructure solutions.

Furthermore, the DS Division adopted a Water Positive approach aimed at replenishing more water than it consumes, restoring approximately 240,000 tons of water resources.

[Social and Governance]

Samsung continues to foster a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, with the goal of achieving zero serious accidents and the highest global level of lost time injury rate by 2030.

Across its supply chain, Samsung expanded the scope of third-party audits to include 122 first-tier suppliers and 39 second-tier suppliers. The company also launched a Supply Chain Sustainability Committee in late 2025 to address supply chain-wide issues, including labor rights, environmental management and occupational safety and health.

As part of its corporate citizenship efforts, Samsung carried out a range of corporate social responsibility programs to support future generations and strengthen communities. Samsung Software·AI Academy for Youth (SSAFY), the company’s flagship talent development program, helped train approximately 2,000 young software professionals. Samsung Hope Stepping Stone — a program that supports housing stability and future readiness for young people seeking independence — opened a center in Incheon in 2025, bringing the total number of centers to 16 and supporting 15,092 people across all locations.

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

The full 2026 Samsung Electronics Sustainability Report can be downloaded here.

[1] Representative products (2025 models): Refrigerator (RT34DG5A4DSLHL), air conditioner (AC052FCADKF/TL), washing machine (WD90F25AHT), TV (KQ75QNF990FXKR), monitor (LS49DG952SKXKR), PC (NP960XJG) and smartphone (SM-S938)

[2] Percentage of plastic components developed by Samsung’s DX Division that contain recycled materials, based on total plastic component volume. Recycled content levels vary by component.

Ask yourself: what happens to your old smartphone? Maybe you throw it in a drawer or maybe you toss it in the trash to eventually end up in a landfill. Without properly disposing of our old devices, we all contribute to the rapidly growing global problem of electronic waste – or ‘e-waste’.

Each year, the world produces more than fifty million tons¹ of waste from electronics alone, and less than 20% is formally recycled. Our world’s resources are finite, and we need to find a better, more sustainable way to use technology – one that transforms our system into a circular economy that continuously reuses and recycles our materials in an infinite loop.

We believe e-waste is a problem that we can tackle together. Seemingly simple actions can have a large ripple effect.

For example, did you know that extending the lifespan of all smartphones and other electronic devices by just one year can save as much carbon emissions as taking two million cars off the road² each year?

We know that no one can solve this e-waste problem on their own. At Samsung, we have the responsibility and the opportunity to offer the infrastructure and the inspiration to our Galaxy users, so we can make progress together. Through our new sustainability platform, Galaxy for the Planet, we are committed to protecting the planet in everything we do from diverting all waste from landfills by 2025 to combatting global e-waste.

Across the product lifecycle, we’re enabling the entire Galaxy ecosystem to take simple, individual actions – billions of actions around the world – that, when amplified on a global scale, have the power to create positive change. Samsung offers several programs focused on promoting more eco-conscious habits in our daily lives that help Galaxy users to reduce, reuse and recycle the waste generated from old electronic devices.

Optimizing Product Life With Android OS Upgrades

We help users maximize the life of their current device by supporting three generations of Android operating system (OS) upgrades and firmware security updates for a minimum of four years on millions of Galaxy devices.³ With this offering, we are extending the lifecycle of our Galaxy products and making a promise that we will provide a simple and secure mobile experience that takes advantage of the latest innovations for good.

REUSE

Creating New Possibilities With Galaxy Upcycling

Our Galaxy Upcycling initiative enables consumers to repurpose Galaxy smartphones – giving them new life and opening new possibilities and extended value. Whether we’re providing innovative technologies to bring greater access to ophthalmic health care for underserved populations or converting smartphones into Internet of Things (IoT) devices like a baby or pet monitor, these simple changes not only help meet our personalized lifestyle needs but also foster a more circular economy.

Extending the Life of Our Devices Through Trade-In and Certified Re-Newed

Through our Trade-In and Certified Re-Newed (CRN) programs, we collect old and unused smartphones and prepare them to be reused for new uses and users. For example, users can donate their old smartphones for an instant credit toward a new one with our Trade-In program. Through Certified Re-Newed, old devices are evaluated, updated and repaired and receive the Certified Re-Newed stamp of approval, allowing us to offer like-new, powerful Galaxy technology to consumers while putting less strain on the planet.

RECYCLE

Transforming Waste With Take-Back

Our Take-Back program⁴ encourages users to donate old or unused smartphones, tablets and PCs to be recycled properly and safely. Rather than generating additional e-waste, Samsung will collect your unwanted electronics and repurpose them in new ways and ensure the materials in your devices don’t end up in a landfill.

When you participate in just one of these programs, you’re contributing to the sustainability efforts of Galaxy users across the globe who are joining together to combat this environmental issue. Together, we’re promoting a more circular economy and protecting our planet’s natural resources for generations to come. Consider participating in our programs today!

Samsung is dedicated to delivering innovative technologies that help build a better future and empower users to adopt more sustainable practices. This also includes taking tangible action to reduce our environmental impact and reshape consumer experiences through our sustainability platform, Galaxy for the Planet.

To view Samsung’s sustainability progress, check out the 2021 Sustainability Report.

¹ World Economic Forum, New Circular Vision for Electronics, 2019

² World Economic Forum, How to Save the Planet, One Mobile Device at a Time, 2020

³ Availability of Android OS upgrades and security updates may vary by device and market. Upgrade schedule will depend on factors including but not limited to complexity of the update, model, as well as market penetration and more.

⁴ To learn more, please visit Samsung Customer Service Center in your region.