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A view of Harim Group headquarters in Gangnam District, Seoul. (Photo: Harim) |
[Alpha Biz= Paul Lee] Seoul, South Korea — July 7, 2025 — Harim Group reported an increase in greenhouse gas emissions, hazardous substances, and waste in 2023, according to its recently published 2024 Sustainability Report. Despite a rise in production volume, the company failed to meet several of its environmental targets.
Harim’s total greenhouse gas emissions reached 102,616 tons of CO₂ equivalent (tCO₂-eq) last year, marking a 2.2% increase from 100,371 tCO₂-eq in 2022. The company attributed the rise to increased production output. However, its greenhouse gas emissions intensity—measured as emissions per unit of revenue—also rose from 7.39 to 8.32, indicating a deterioration in environmental efficiency.
This figure exceeded Harim’s own target of 100,999 tCO₂-eq for the year. The company also missed its goal of reducing its emissions intensity to 8.08.
Harim has revised its emission targets upward in the coming years. For 2024, the company projects 110,369 tCO₂-eq, up 9.2% from the previous year. The targets for 2025 and 2027 are set at 115,446 tCO₂-eq and 120,063 tCO₂-eq, respectively.
The report also revealed that Harim more than doubled its sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions—a key air pollutant—compared to its 2023 target. The company released 3.13 kg of SOx, exceeding the goal of 1.32 kg. Sulfur oxides are generated from the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal and oil and are known to contribute to soil contamination and respiratory illnesses.
In addition to air pollutants, Harim’s total waste generation increased significantly. The company generated 236,744 tons of waste in 2023, up 8.9% from 217,391 tons in the previous year. Its waste recycling rate slightly declined from 98% in 2022 and 2023 to 97.8% last year.
Alphabiz Reporter Paul Lee(hoondork1977@alphabiz.co.kr)
