In January, Kakao took a significant step towards sustainable management by establishing the ‘ESG Board of Directors.’ The ESG committee aims to review the direction of corporate strategy considering sustainability, overseeing and supervising issues to achieve transparent and sustainable management. Kakao now plans to disclose the status and achievements of ESG management through a ‘Sustainability Report.’

1. The Essence of ESG-Centric Management

The ESG Board emphasizes sustainable management centered around Environment (E), Social (S), and Governance (G). This response reflects societal demands for companies to consider these three aspects. One of the core values of ESG management is for a company to fulfill environmental, social, and governance responsibilities while generating economic value. Through this, Kakao aims not only for profit but also for a broader and sustainable impact.

2. Efforts Towards Transparency

The role of the ESG committee goes beyond reviewing management strategies. Additionally, they plan to enhance transparency by publicly disclosing the status and performance of ESG management through a ‘Sustainability Report.’ This effort is evaluated as a crucial step to increase transparency and strengthen communication with stakeholders. The sustainability report is based on the company’s environmental, social, and governance activities, providing understanding of the company’s performance and development direction. Such efforts enhance corporate transparency and promote positive interactions with stakeholders.

3. Commitment to Social Issues

Kakao has been conducting various projects through platforms like ‘Kakao Project 100’ and ‘Kakao Together Value,’ striving to create a better society. These initiatives demonstrate Kakao’s commitment to addressing significant societal issues such as child and youth problems, AI technology development and ethical issues, and user data protection. This commitment goes beyond simple corporate social responsibility, as Kakao continuously conducts research, engages in dialogue, and seeks diverse methods to address societal problems.

4. Goal for Eco-Friendly Data Center Construction

Kakao is preparing an eco-friendly data center with a goal to complete it by 2023, contributing to a sustainable future. This explicit effort is evaluated as a contribution to the transition to a low-carbon economy, demonstrating responsibility for environmental protection. The eco-friendly data center aims to minimize power consumption, effectively utilize renewable energy, and realize environmentally friendly operations. This is interpreted as contributing to providing clean and sustainable digital infrastructure for future generations.

Kakao is progressing towards a better future through ESG management, understanding the essence of sustainable management, efforts towards transparency, commitment to societal issues, and clear goals for environmental protection backing the company’s sustainable growth.