Global electronics giant, Samsung has been awarded the international energy standard, ISO 50001 certification, for all its foreign and domestic business sites as a result of its commitment to energy efficiency and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions across its entire business by 57 percent since 2008.
The ISO 50001 is an international-certified energy management system that stipulates processes and procedures for energy reduction in planning, execution and operation.
Samsung Electronics’ site in Gumi was the first to receive the certification in July 2011 and later in July 2012 all six business sites in Korea had been awarded. That was two years after introducing the standard which was established in June 2011 by the International Organisation for Standardisation.
Speaking on the new achievement, Director of Corporate Marketing and Communications at Samsung South Africa, Michelle Potgieter in a statement released by the company said, “The ISO 50001 certification is a testament to our commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the company. We are especially proud that Samsung South Africa is also contributing to energy reduction, both in its internal and external environment.”
In 2012, Samsung SA was the first South African Consumer Electronics brand to have taken the 49M pledge which commits the organisation to energy efficiency through its product line and the environment in which it operates. This initiative aligns the brand to a government endorsed programme that aims to encourage a national culture of energy saving.
The recently introduced Samsung Digital Village, the first of its kind in Africa , is a complete solar digital offering which supports the drive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the business.
By capitalising on the sun’s energy, this solution has been developed for both rural villages without power and urban neighbourhoods that are subjected to fluctuating electricity supply.
This unique offering includes a complete education system infrastructure, power generation for small business enablement, a tele-medical centre for quick and accurate diagnoses, a health centre and basic lighting solution all developed to reduce the reliance on electricity.
Potgieter promised that Samsung will “continue to lead the way for energy management and plans to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions by systematically identifying and addressing factors that result in energy waste, utilise renewable and environmentally friendly resource and continue to implement policies that ensure that a low-carbon footprint is not only maintained, but reduced.”
Meanwhile, the Korean electronics said it will be partnering with Miss Earth South Africa as the brand ambassador for all its eco-friendly products, to educate South Africans of the benefits of using green technologies and practices to save energy, optimises water usage and contributes to a sustainable environment.
