YG Entertainment published the '2026 sustainable management report' on the 14th, compiling its past achievements and future blueprint for environmental, social and governance (ESG) management. This report details multifaceted eco-friendly initiatives and social responsibility practices tailored to the characteristics of the entertainment industry.
The most notable achievement is the advancement of a "sustainable performance" system that integrates environmental and social values into performing arts. Earlier, YG established seven frameworks in 2024—the first among domestic entertainment companies—covering greenhouse gas management, venue safety and reduction of environmental pollution, and last year successfully expanded them to overseas tours, proving its global competitiveness. In particular, during Blackpink's 2025 world tour, based on major on-site monitoring data from venues such as London's Wembley, Singapore National Stadium and Hong Kong's Kai Tak Stadium, it achieved the milestone of newly developing the industry's first "sustainable performance venue standard." YG plans to use this as a foundation to further refine a global standard system for venue sustainability.
Tangible results were achieved in the environmental (E) field as well. YG, which originally aimed for "carbon neutrality by 2040 and RE100 by 2025," announced achieving RE100 last year by converting 100% of the electricity used at its domestic business sites to renewable energy. It also meticulously expanded the scope of greenhouse gas emissions accounting to include certain subsidiaries and six categories of indirect emissions, and repeatedly pursued eco-friendly innovations by actively adopting low-carbon paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), soy-based ink and bio-plastic (PLA) materials when producing physical albums.
The establishment of transparent governance (G) and steps to protect human rights also stand out. While further strengthening the independence and expertise of the board of directors, it smoothly passed the renewal audit for the integrated ISO 37301 (compliance management) and ISO 37001 (anti-bribery) certifications, which it was the first in the industry to obtain in 2023, proving a robust compliance and ethical management system. In addition, since May, based on the revised human rights management policy, it has clearly specified the rights of artists and trainees and appointed a separate youth protection officer to carefully protect the rights and interests of underage artists.
On the social contribution (S) front, warmth is shared through the 'YG WITH' campaign in which employees directly participate. The 'YG meal truck', which has been carried out steadily since 2015, and the 'PROJECT YOURSIDE' project to reduce regional cultural gaps have received favorable evaluations both internally and externally. Furthermore, since 2023, in partnership with Seoul National University Children's Hospital, it has supported cochlear implant surgery costs and music rehabilitation programs for a total of 58 hearing-impaired children facing financial difficulties, demonstrating sincere positive influence. Having practiced systematic sustainable management in many ways like this, YG Entertainment earned an overall A grade in the '2026 first-half Sustainalytics assessment' and plans to continue fulfilling its role as a strong ESG-leading company that sets an industry example.
[photo] YG Entertainment
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