LGE targets 50% cut in carbon emissions in U.S.

LG Electronics Inc. said Tuesday it aims to halve its greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. from 2007 levels by 2020 in efforts to boost renewable energy and help combat climate change.

The target, which translates to 7,000 metric tons, is the latest in a string of programs adopted by the world’s No. 2 television maker to enhance its environmental credentials amid tightening regulations at home and abroad.

To that end, the Korean firm plans to scale up the use of green resources such as wind and biomass, curb its power consumption in facilities and improve energy efficiencies for its lighting, heating and air conditioning systems. It will also lay out a campaign for saving energy and recycling to drum up employee participation.

“Though we’ve been striving to reduce emissions focusing on production facilities overseas, this initiative will broaden the scope of our program to sales, services and logistics starting in the U.S.,” said Skott Ahn, the company’s chief technology officer.

LG has operations in about a dozen states in the U.S. with the largest base in New Jersey, where it utilizes renewable energy as the sole source for electricity in one of its office buildings.

The leading producer of washers and refrigerators said it has been engaged in a number of environmental campaigns in the U.S. over the last few years.

Early this year, the company collected more than 1.5 million tons of electronics recycling along with a civic group. It also partnered with a nonprofit organization called Carbon Fund in July for joint research and development in such items as light-emitting diodes and solar cells.

Such initiatives coincide with the electronics giant’s efforts to jumpstart renewable energy-related business as a fresh growth driver as it has struggled with its teetering handset unit since last year.

LG said in February it will soon launch energy consulting services for other firms, which entails analyzing energy flows and providing solutions for energy saving. It joined forces with Japan’s Hitachi Plant Technologies in July to venture into the water treatment industry.

By Shin Hyon-hee  (heeshin@heraldcorp.com)