Carbonwashing in the Tech Industry: Samsung’s Case Study

These days, many companies like to tell us how green they are. They discuss using renewable energy, cutting emissions, and making eco-friendly products. But not all of these claims are true. Some companies use “carbonwashing” – a way of pretending to be more eco-friendly than they are. Samsung, one of the biggest names in tech, has promised a lot regarding sustainability. But are they really making those green changes, or is it all talk? Let’s take a closer look.  

Carbonwashing is when companies say they’re cutting their carbon emissions, but their actions don’t match their words. It’s similar to “greenwashing,” which is when companies exaggerate their environmental efforts in general. As consumers care more about the environment, businesses try to look good by making green promises. But watchdogs, like those in the UK, EU, and US, are stepping up to ensure these claims are accurate.  

Back in 2021, Samsung made some big promises. They said they would be carbon neutral by 2050, cut emissions from their devices by 30% by 2030, and switch to 100% renewable energy by 2050. It sounded great! Samsung seemed really committed to helping the planet. But now, two years later, the picture isn’t so bright. Instead of getting better, their carbon footprint is growing worse.  

Where Samsung is falling short on sustainability

Rising emissions: Samsung promised to cut its emissions, but they’re actually going up. In 2023, its carbon emissions reached 17.66 million metric tons of CO₂—more than before. That’s a step in the wrong direction.  

Renewable energy: In countries including the US, Europe, and South Korea, Samsung’s Device eXperience (DX) business used 93.4% renewable energy by 2023. However, in other parts of the world, it continues to rely on fossil fuels. Its objective is to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2050, but there is still much work to be done to get there.  

Supply chain problems: A big part of Samsung’s carbon footprint comes from its supply chain. Samsung has asked its suppliers to reduce emissions, but there’s not enough evidence to show this is happening. Without real progress here, Samsung’s overall impact won’t change much.  

Missing short-term goals: Samsung set a goal to cut emissions from its devices by 30% by 2030. But with how things are going now, it seems unlikely they’ll hit that target. If they’re not meeting their smaller goals, it’s hard to believe they’ll reach their bigger target of net zero by 2050.  

What can we learn from a Samsung Case Study  

Transparency is key: The problem with carbon washing is that companies often don’t show enough real progress. They talk about goals for the future but don’t show what they’ve done so far. Companies need to be transparent and honest about where they stand today. Transparency helps consumers trust that a company is making progress, not just saying the right things.  

Short-term goals matter: Big goals like “net zero by 2050” sound great, but without smaller, short-term goals, they don’t mean much. Samsung’s struggle to meet its 2030 target shows why smaller goals are essential. They show that a company is acting now, not just later. Achieving short-term goals also gives them credibility, proving they’re serious about their long-term commitments.  

Renewable energy is crucial: Fossil fuels are a significant barrier to sustainability. Samsung needs to shift towards renewable energy, such as solar and wind energy. It’s better for the environment and becoming more affordable over time. Samsung’s goal of 100% renewable energy should be its primary focus, as it will reduce its carbon footprint and help improve its future business. Companies already using renewables will have a competitive edge as the world moves away from fossil fuels.  

Holding suppliers accountable: A company’s carbon footprint isn’t just about what happens at its factories; its suppliers matter, too. Samsung has asked suppliers to reduce emissions, but there’s not much proof that this is happening. To make real progress, it needs to make sure its suppliers are on board. Companies should hold their entire supply chain accountable for sustainability, as changes there will have a much bigger impact than anything they do internally.  

Green marketing isn’t enough: Marketing plays a huge role in carbon washing. Many companies advertise their green efforts, but their actions don’t match. Samsung has faced criticism for promoting its sustainability while its emissions are rising. Consumers should look beyond the ads and focus on the actual data. It’s important to ask companies for proof of their claims, such as detailed environmental reports showing real carbon emissions reductions.  

Distilled  

Samsung isn’t the only tech company facing scrutiny for its green claims. Other giants like Apple, Google, and Microsoft have made similar promises with mixed results.  

As consumers, we need to be innovative. The tech industry has the potential to lead the way in sustainability, but only if companies back up their promises with real action. We can’t just accept what’s in the marketing – we need to see results. It’s time for companies to stop greenwashing and show us they’re committed to helping the planet. By holding companies accountable, we can help make the world a cleaner, greener place.