Environmental Leader

LG reduced 2008 greenhouse gas emissions 8.1 percent at its corporate operations in Korea, with scope 1 emissions falling from 13.2 percent of the total to just 10.5 percent, according to the electronics firm’s 2008 sustainability report (PDF). Download individual elements of the report on this LG sustainability page.

LG, which had a record $49.3 billion in sales in 2008, earlier this year set a goal to reduce its manufacturing greenhouse gas emissions 150,000 tons by 2020.

In 2008, LG joined a pilot project to label products as to their carbon footprints.

LG has added several products that feature reduced energy use, and those figure prominently into the report.

For instance, the company cites the introduction of its solar-powered cell phone, which has a solar panel on the battery cover that gives three minutes of talking time for every 10 minutes in the sun.

Its TROMM washing machine reduces annual energy consumption 21 percent, on average, by using a direct drive motor instead of a belt-driven drum. Its DIOS refrigerator uses a linear compressor to reduce annual energy usage 39 percent.

LG improved its air conditioners, too. A residential model features a human body sensor function that adjust the temperature based on the number of people in a room, and their locations within the room. That model touts reduced electricity consumption of 56 percent. A commercial air conditioner (Multi V), meanwhile, reduced energy use 20 percent compared to similar models.

The company’s hybrid XEO direct contact heat exchange method of air conditioning and heating draws on geothermal energy. Following is a chart illustrating the system’s properties.

LG is taking a strategic view of international developments around climate change. For instance, it lists the possibility of GHG regulation in Australia and the U.S. as potential trade barriers.

In responding to concerns by Greenpeace and other activists over harmful materials used in production of electronics, LG has issued the following timetable for reducing use of hazardous substances.

Here’s a look at the company’s projections for reducing energy use of major products and appliances.