[CSR REPORT] Kogas uses energy to build a better world

Korea Gas Corporation employees deliver coal briquettes to low-income households as part of volunteer work to improve energy welfare. Provided by the company

Korea Gas Corporation (Kogas) emphasizes giving back to society under the corporate philosophy “better energy, better world.” The public energy company has established a unique social contribution brand - onnuri - which means “making the entire world warm and peaceful.” It currently runs three initiatives: Onnuri Love Project, Onnuri Hope Project and Onnuri Harmony Project.

Through Onnuri Love Project, Kogas aims to improve “energy welfare” nationwide. Since 2010, Kogas has invested more than 2 billion won ($1.9 million) every year into its “thermal efficiency enhancement project,” through which it renovates heating systems in low-income households and social welfare centers.

By heating floors, insulating walls and replacing windows, the project enhances energy sufficiency for the underprivileged. The project is coordinated in cooperation with other companies, including the Korea Gas Safety Corporation, the Korea National Council of Social Welfare and Kyung Dong Navien.

Despite society’s general belt-tightening atmosphere, Kogas has invested 2.2 billion won this year to support 150 low-income families and 70 welfare centers.

Kogas also offers gas utility discounts to low-income households. A total of 31.7 billion won has been subsidized by the company so far, through a 15 percent discount for basic living subsidy recipients - nearly 500,000 households - and a 5 percent discount for 300,000 of those in the next income bracket. Kogas also supported 18,000 social welfare centers with 3.2 billion won worth of gas utility discounts.

Social contribution is also promoted among Kogas employees. The Volunteer 5UP Campaign encourages employees to improve their corporate social responsibility mileage by five percent yearly. CSR mileage can be accumulated whenever employees participate in a variety of events such as employee involvement programs, making donations, monthly volunteer work and so on.

“The total amount of money spent last year by Kogas on CSR, including social contributions, amounted to 48 billion won,” said a Kogas official. The company’s ratio to pretax profit is 9.3 percent, which is substantially higher than 3.2 percent, the average by Federation of Korean Industries, or 2.73 percent, the Japanese average, of 2011.