KT named most sustainable telecom in world

Korea’s second largest mobile carrier, KT, was named the world’s No. 1 sustainable company in the telecommunications industry by the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, the company said Thursday. It was the third consecutive year KT won the award.

The index rates companies depending on their sustainability practices.

The selection was made based on scores in three main categories: Economic, environmental and social. Factors that were considered included corporate transparency, customer privacy protection, eco-friendliness and contribution to society.

KT’s scores in the environmental and social areas were almost double the average of competitors’, particularly in strategies to contribute against climate change and for green management. It also performed well in strengthening the nation’s telecommunications services environment and in expanding its communication technology to make them available to more age and social groups.

There were 24 industries in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index. Lotte Shopping was named No. 1 in retailing.

“It is meaningful to see KT being selected as the world’s No. 1 telecommunications company after competing against about 80 companies,” said Kim Dong-su, director of the Sustainability Management Department at the Korea Productivity Center.

The sustainability index, started in 1999, rates corporate management sustainability and encourages companies worldwide to strive for a balance between financial success and social contributions.

BY KO RAN, KIM JI-YOON [jiyoon.kim@joongang.co.kr]