Emart Publishes Sustainability Management Report "Discloses Four Key Focus Areas Including Environmental Management"

Emart Publishes Sustainability Management Report Complying with International ESG Reporting Standard GRI
Includes Key ESG Activities, Sustainability Management Strategies, and ESG-Related Data
Discloses Four Major Focus Areas: Environmental Management, Sustainable Products, Shared Growth, and Social Responsibility

Emart 2021 Sustainability Management Report.

[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Kim] Emart announced on the 15th that it has published its first sustainability management report, reflecting its efforts to create a 'sustainable tomorrow' in the retail industry.

Emart stated that the report includes Emart's strategy for sustainability management, economic, social, and environmental activities and achievements, as well as communication processes with stakeholders.

The report is composed of four chapters: a section containing key ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) activities (Sustainability Highlights); a section covering sustainability management strategy and materiality assessment (Introduction to Sustainability); a section explaining Emart's sustainability management activities such as environmental management and shared growth in detail (Sustainability Performance); and a section including financial statements and ESG-related data (Appendix).

Emart identified four key focus areas for a sustainable tomorrow: environmental management, sustainable products, shared growth, and social responsibility. In terms of environmental management, it aims to respond to climate change through energy savings and contribute to the 2050 carbon neutrality goal, while establishing a circular economy by promoting recycling. To distribute sustainable products, Emart plans to expand eco-friendly and sustainability-certified products and continue research on sustainable products to improve product safety and quality.

Emart leads ESG management across the entire distribution value chain to promote shared growth. It strengthens ESG risk management and support for partner companies and builds an ecosystem where Emart and its partners can grow together through supply chain ESG management. It also pursues coexistence with local communities and realizes social value management, leading 'social responsibility.' Emart implements fair trade, anti-corruption and ethical management, and also enhances information security and personal data protection.

Emart introduced three major cases as efforts to achieve these goals: Product Sustainability Initiative (E), No Brand Shared Growth Store (S), and Governance Enhancement (G).

In June, Emart became the first in the domestic retail industry to publish a guidebook presenting the standards and key tasks of the Product Sustainability Initiative (PSI). The guide includes research results on sustainable raw materials and sourcing, packaging, and plastics conducted jointly with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The goal is to minimize the negative environmental impact when producing and distributing products and to contribute to consumers' health and safety.

The 'No Brand Shared Growth Store' for shared growth has established itself as a representative shared growth model. The first store, Dangjin Traditional Market Branch, has played a role in attracting traditional market customers, with parking lot usage at the traditional market more than doubling within one year of opening. So far, a total of 16 stores have been opened, and recently, merchants' associations and local governments have proactively inquired about opening stores, indicating recognition of its value from both public and private sectors.

Emart stated, "To enhance trust and communication with stakeholders, we transparently disclose necessary information, including governance reports, through our website and electronic disclosure system." It also said, "We review and disclose shareholder return policies every three years to protect shareholder rights and have conducted eight voluntary disclosures, including management changes."

The sustainability management report can be accessed through Emart's website.

Meanwhile, Emart expanded the Social Contribution Committee within the board of directors into an ESG Committee in April last year, and in October last year, established the Sustainability Innovation Center, an organization dedicated to ESG.

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