YG Entertainment published its '2025 Sustainability Management Report' outlining its ESG (Environmental, Social Responsibility, and Corporate Governance) achievements and activities.
The report, made public on the 30th, highlights YG Entertainment's proactive 'sustainable performance' activities and their results in the form of a special report.
The 'Sustainable Performance Report,' published in 2024 as the first of its kind by a domestic entertainment company, is based on extensive performance expertise and includes the 'Seven Principles of Sustainable Performance' (▲Greenhouse gas management ▲Improving performance accessibility ▲Fan engagement ▲Enhancing content impact ▲Performance venue safety management ▲Reducing environmental pollution at performance venues ▲Sustainable performance governance), detailing key activities applied to each performance, improved outcomes, and stakeholder voices.
This special report estimates the greenhouse gas emissions from audience movement, energy use, waste disposal, and equipment transport during three performances held six times last year in Korea, positively evaluating various efforts driven by voluntary awareness and including interviews with fans who wish to actively participate, as well as specific improvements such as performance venue safety compliance standards and inspection checklists.
This year's Sustainability Management Report also features a 'dual materiality assessment,' analyzing the social and environmental impacts of ESG activities on corporations and the financial implications simultaneously, identifying four key issues: ▲Response to climate change and implementation of the carbon neutrality roadmap ▲Strengthening corporate governance ▲Securing and nurturing talent ▲Promoting compliance and ethical management.
YG Entertainment aims for carbon neutrality by 2040 and to achieve RE100 by 2025, planning a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (down 28% from the previous year) and energy usage (down 3.0%) for three consecutive years, while increasing the proportion of renewable energy usage (up 28.8%). This year, it has also assessed and verified greenhouse gas emissions from key subsidiaries YG PLUS and YG JAPAN, expanding the scope of Scope 3 (other indirect emissions) calculations from two categories to four, including 'fuel and energy-related activities,' 'waste generated at business sites,' and 'employee commuting,' to establish a basis for effective reduction strategies.
Additionally, a 'green album roadmap' has been established to enhance sustainability across the industry, outlining a phased implementation plan considering environmental protection in album production. In the short term, the plan is to measure carbon emissions throughout the album production supply chain, reduce plastic usage during the production process, and consider the use of recycled materials. In the medium to long term, more fundamental alternatives are being explored, including the introduction of eco-friendly transport methods within the distribution network and enhancing cooperation and spreading efforts within the industry.
Moreover, to enhance professionalism and independence, a new outside director with expertise in accounting and legal affairs has been appointed as the chairperson of the board, laying the groundwork for independent operation. The board evaluation system has also been introduced for the first time, improving the board's operation and increasing its credibility.
This report complies with global reporting guidelines such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), and International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB). It has also secured reliability through third-party verification by the Korea Management Certification Institute (KMR).
YG plans to release an English report for overseas stakeholders in August.
[Photo] Provided by YG Entertainment.
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