Editor's note- ESG, which contains sustainable ideas through environmental and social responsibility and management, is taking a place as mandatory, not an option. Yet, quite a number of businesses are still ignoring this matter. ESG management is directly linked to consumption value. Thus, we are reporting on the steps of leading ESG management businesses this year, hoping to bring messages to both consumers and businesses that are not aware of their importance.

[Consumerwide - HueSoung Jun Reporter / Yohan Bok Reporter]  BAT Rothmans has been enhancing distinctive ESG management based on the A Better Tomorrow mission. Along with the keyword "shared growth," BAT initiated activities in the environment, local areas, and training sectors.

E: Pursuing environmental sustainability.

BAT Sacheon factory staff has been practicing carbon reduction through environmental campaigns (plogging, reducing use of paper cups, and plastic recycling) and investment in recycling and environmental facilities. (solar power, water purification) As a result, they have awarded ministers of trade, industry, and energy commendations during the 2023 Korea Energy Award.

S: Shared Growth

The first step of BAT was the KkotBAT campaign during the spring. The idea of the project is based on chage by turning areas with constant illegal dumping of trash and cigarette butt into a clean and beautiful environment through a flower garden, hoping this will end the dumping act of citizens. (Nudge theory)

BAT staff and the citizen's group thoroughly checked out areas in Seoul that have frequent trash dumps collaborating with residents and sellers in the region. After reseach, they planted flowers and trees. In June, they completed the first garden in one of the backstreets of Junggu, Seoul. Since then, a total of 20 gardens have been made in Seoul, including Gwanakgu, Dobonggu, and Nowongu. Not only sellers but also citizens were given a new environment through this project. This seems to be the ESG with shared growth that BAT talks about.

BAT also consistently provided information for young adults who came out of foster care due to age, while building a safety network for mental support in August (Jajo Meeting) by senior adults who also came out of foster care and successfully settled in society to share experiences and support.

BAT donated hand-made works donated by BAT staff to local society. This activity was led by trainers, who are also single parents. Earlier, these trainers have been involved in a programme of Korea Welfare Services "Dreaming Workshop", which is supported by BAT. Through the project, BAT is supporting the financial independence of single-parent households and shared growth in local society. In May, BAT passed on air freshener in carnation flower shape to elderly people living alone. On November 30th, BAT staff made and shared a Christmas wreath with a neighbourhood in vulnerable condition.

BAT also presented cultural value and opportunities to local society while providing opportunities to young adult artists to demonstrate talent through the young adult culture and art support project in the Sacheon area, where the BAT factory is located. In August, BAT hosted exhibitions of visual art in both Seoul and Sacheon. In December 8th and 9th, 700 citizens from the Sacheon area participated in a shortphera concert that reinterpreted classic ophera from a modern perspective along with Korean traditional dance and music.

G: BAT was certified as a good company to work for.

BAT has been evaluated as a company where staff are treated fairly beyond age and gender. BAT is offering flexible working hours, a distance working system, a special summer vacation, welfare points, and network events every quarter, which make it easy for staff to work. Besides, they are also offering maternity leave, parental leave, childcare leave, and 100% return after leave in order to balance work and family life. Additionally, through the reward system, BAT is enhancing task achievement and developing personal capacity through training and overseas internships. By supporting employee activity groups and offering networking opportunities and English and management training programmes, BAT Sacheon Factory is attempting to create a positive work environment for its employees.

It resulted in BAT winning certification (GPTW Korea) as a "great place to work in Korea," which is only given to 100 top businesses, for two years. BAT was rewarded in seven areas total. (100 great places to work in Korea, great place workingmom to work, and milleniel, most respected CEO in Korea, Korea GPTW innovative leader, great place to work in Korea (Sacheon factory)).

On the 28th, an associated person from BAT Rothmans said during an interview with Consumerwide, "This is one of the core values of BAT to grow with local society. We plan to continue various ESG activities, including carbon reduction and culture and art support, through intimate cooperation."