Asia Group, Full-Scale Launch of ESG Management

25% Reduction in Carbon Emissions by 2025 Compared to This Year, Achieving Zero Accidents in Workplaces

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] Asia Group announced on the 24th that it will establish and operate an 'ESG Management Council' jointly participated by outside directors and executives, centered on listed affiliates such as the holding company Asia, Asia Cement, and Asia Paper.

The ESG Management Council discusses and reviews common ESG issues and improvement tasks across affiliates and conducts research and advisory activities to support decision-making when the affiliates' boards of directors establish ESG policies. More than half of the council members are outside directors with expertise in ESG, and the chairman is also appointed from outside directors to strengthen independence.

Asia Cement has spent 75.8 billion KRW over the past five years on environmental improvement facility investments. From last year to early this year, it invested over 30 billion KRW to reduce fine dust and carbon emissions, completing kiln remodeling and modernization of resource recycling facilities. As a result, the annual carbon emissions last year decreased by 18.5% compared to 2016.

Asia Paper is also actively investing in environmental improvements and recycling of circular resources. From 2016 to last year, it executed facility investments worth approximately 103.9 billion KRW over five years. Through investments in environmental improvement and circular resource recycling facilities, it is promoting 'decoalization,' which lowers dependence on fossil energy in the energy supply process.

They continue sincere social contribution activities. Asia Cement and its subsidiary Hanla Cement have jointly promoted Korea Habitat for Humanity's 'Building Hope Houses,' and continue activities such as 'Love House Repair Volunteer Work' and 'Blood Donation Activities' in cooperation with the Korean Red Cross. Asia Paper carries out social contribution activities that coexist with the local community, including visits to marginalized neighbors, Red Cross activities, local volunteer work, and ongoing donation activities.

The three companies?Asia Corporation, Asia Cement, and Asia Paper?are improving their websites to make management information more accessible and are actively enhancing corporate transparency by disclosing board activities and various committee activities.

Asia Cement and Hanla Cement declared 'Eco Together 2025' as the new core vision value to lead the cement industry over the next five years, committing to reduce carbon emissions by 25% compared to this year and achieve zero accidents in the workplace by 2025.

An Asia Group official said, "We have strived to create sustainable corporate value and fulfill social responsibilities for stakeholders such as customers, shareholders, employees, and local communities," adding, "We will develop ESG management as a core management strategy by linking the demands of stakeholders including customers, government policies, and affiliates' business models and ESG policies."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.