Kakao's renewable energy procurement last year increased 2.7 times compared to the previous year. About 2,800 small business owners secured approximately 730,000 new customers through the 'Project Regular', which supports digital transformation from 2022 to 2024.
On the 25th, Kakao published its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) report titled 'Kakao's Promises and Responsibilities for 2024'. This report introduced the efforts Kakao has made to ensure the safety and reliability of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Last year, Kakao established the 'Kakao AI Safety Initiative' to identify and manage risks that could arise during the AI development and operation process. They also published the '2024 Group Technology Ethics Report', which includes the technological ethics activities of Kakao and its major affiliates.
Kakao is also promoting joint pledges for fair trade compliance and establishing long-term shareholder return policies. An independent organization, the 'Kakao Compliance and Trust Committee', is being operated to support compliance and trustworthy management within its affiliates. Kakao stated, 'We have also been running an internal reporting system to respond swiftly and fairly to violations, and we are continuing measures to enhance the accountability of executives, including stock buybacks by the CEO and executives and the establishment of an executive code of ethics.'
In terms of climate crisis response, Kakao is working towards achieving its 2040 net zero goal focusing on the 'Active Green Initiative'. Following its Jeju Office and Pangyo Base, Kakao's data center in Ansan is set to receive ISO 14001 environmental management system certification in 2024. The amount of renewable energy procured has also increased 2.7 times compared to the previous year.
Through the 'Project Regular', which supports the digital transformation of small business owners, Kakao has provided education and support for the opening of chat channels to approximately 2,800 merchants from 2022 to 2024. As a result, these small business owners have secured around 730,000 new customers. Kakao has won the '2024 Korea Partnership Growth Award', organized by the Korea Commission for Corporate Partnership.
In this report, Kakao has made efforts to proactively incorporate the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) guidelines. Issues identified as significant include user protection, privacy protection, and climate change response, and their impacts on corporations and the environment and society have been analyzed, along with specific disclosure of response strategies. For the first time, the ESG activities at the group level have been separately structured into an institutional sector for performance disclosure.
Kwon Dae-yeol, Commissioner of Kakao's CA Council ESG, stated, 'Kakao is practicing ESG management throughout the company to create sustainable changes and is achieving meaningful results.' He added, 'We will strive to be a trusted corporation through responsible execution and diligent information disclosure.'