On the 17th, LG Household & Health Care held a meeting to share the outcomes of the 'Water-Infused Forest' project, conducted in Yeoju, where its subsidiary Korea Coca-Cola Beverages Co., Ltd.'s largest domestic factory is located. This initiative aims to manage natural water resources through increased rainwater storage and water circulation functions in forests, benefiting the local community. The project, which started in 2022, is now in its fifth year.
From this year, LG Household & Health Care collaborates with Yeoju City, Korea Coca-Cola, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Korea Institute of Ecological Environment, and the Yeoju City Forest Association to manage local forests. In the first half of the year, activities were completed in a 50ha forest area in Haho-ri, Geumsam-myeon, Yeoju, involving young tree cultivation and natural forest care. Including this year's support from LG Household & Health Care, the total forest area cultivated by partner organizations now stands at 495ha, approximately 1.7 times larger than the area of Yeouido.
The 'Water-Infused Forest' project is an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiative designed to promote healthier forests and enhance the soil's water source retention capabilities. Through activities such as mowing, young tree cultivation, and natural forest care, improvements are made to the growth conditions of trees by removing unnecessary weeds, invasive species, and brush. This promotes better rainwater absorption and retention in the soil, enhancing the forest's water source capabilities, thus earning the term 'Green Dam.'
Healthy forests contribute to a stable supply of agricultural water and can mitigate the effects of heavy rainfall, which reduces flooding, soil erosion, and landslides. Additionally, supporting the healthy growth of trees contributes to carbon absorption and biodiversity enhancement.
The 'Water-Infused Forest' project is implemented based on the expertise of various organizations. LG Household & Health Care and Korea Coca-Cola take charge of project support and management, while WWF brings its conservation expertise to project planning and outcome verification. The Korea Institute of Ecological Environment and Yeoju City Forest Association handle on-ground execution and forest management, with Yeoju City providing a foundation for local collaboration. K-water's Han River Regional Headquarters also cooperates in the project based on its expertise in water resources.
A representative from LG Household & Health Care stated, 'The Water-Infused Forest project goes beyond simple water conservation to provide tangible benefits to the natural environment and local community near our business site through ESG activities. Moving forward, we will continue to engage in water return activities that promote mutual growth with various partners.'
