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Kakao Corporation, commonly known as Kakao, is a leading player in the recreational, cultural, and sporting services industry, headquartered in South Korea (KR). Founded in 2010, Kakao has rapidly evolved, establishing itself as a multifaceted platform that encompasses messaging, gaming, and digital content services.
With a strong presence in South Korea and expanding operations in various international markets, Kakao offers unique products such as KakaoTalk, a popular messaging app, and Kakao Games, which has garnered significant attention in the gaming sector. The company is renowned for its innovative approach to integrating social networking with entertainment, setting it apart from competitors.
Kakao's commitment to enhancing user experience has positioned it as a market leader, achieving notable milestones in user engagement and service diversification.
52
DitchCarbon score
+22 vs industry average
Kakao’s score of 52 is higher than 68% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
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Industry Intensity
Low
Recreation and Sports Services has below-average carbon intensity
Industry performance
0.171
20182025
The Recreation and Sports Services industry has reduced its overall emissions by 32% since 2018
Emissions trajectory 2020 – 2028
202020212022202320242025202620272028
Reported emissions
Scope 1
•••kg CO₂e
Scope 2
•••kg CO₂e
Scope 3
•••kg CO₂e
Total reported
•••kg CO₂e
Scope 3 accounts for ••• of total emissions.
Kakao's reported carbon emissions
Kakao, a South Korean recreational, cultural, and sporting services company, reported its 2025 carbon emissions as follows: approximately 455,000 kg CO2e for Scope 1, 106,523,000 kg CO2e for Scope 2 (market-based), and 65,330,000 kg CO2e for Scope 3.
Looking back, Kakao's emissions in 2024 were approximately 520,000 kg CO2e (Scope 1), 96,113,000 kg CO2e (Scope 2 market-based), and 57,248,000 kg CO2e (Scope 3). In 2023, these figures were approximately 358,000 kg CO2e (Scope 1), 53,426,000 kg CO2e (Scope 2 market-based), and 75,992,000 kg CO2e (Scope 3). For 2022, Kakao reported approximately 248,000 kg CO2e (Scope 1), 67,143,000 kg CO2e (Scope 2 market-based), and 84,847,000 kg CO2e (Scope 3). In 2021, the company reported approximately 233,000 kg CO2e for Scope 1, 85,087,000 kg CO2e for Scope 2, and 69,393,000 kg CO2e for Scope 3.
Kakao's historical emissions data shows a trend in its disclosed Scopes 1, 2, and 3 emissions. In 2020, Scope 1 emissions were approximately 256,000 kg CO2e, Scope 2 emissions were around 76,670,000 kg CO2e, and Scope 3 emissions were approximately 203,000 kg CO2e, primarily from employee commuting. In 2019, Scope 1 emissions were approximately 287,000 kg CO2e, Scope 2 emissions were about 64,478,000 kg CO2e, and Scope 3 emissions were approximately 185,000 kg CO2e, also mainly from employee commuting. Further back, in 2018, Scope 1 emissions were approximately 251,000 kg CO2e, Scope 2 emissions were around 55,368,000 kg CO2e, and Scope 3 emissions, specifically from employee commuting, were approximately 156,000 kg CO2e. In 2017, Kakao's Scope 1 emissions were approximately 220,000 kg CO2e, Scope 2 emissions were about 3,413,000 kg CO2e, and Scope 3 employee commuting emissions were approximately 82,000 kg CO2e.
Kakao had a near-term Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) commitment that was later removed or expired. As of May 2022, Kakao's near-term target status with SBTi is listed as "Committed." However, there is also an entry from May 2022 indicating the commitment was "Removed" and another noting "Commitment removed." Kakao has not committed to a net-zero target.
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Kakao’s Climate Goals (2030 & 2050)
No climate goals have been disclosed for Kakao yet.
Scope 3 top emissions categories
13 of 15 categories disclosedSee all scope 3 categories
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Climate initiatives
Science Based Targets Initiative
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Not active
Carbon Disclosure Project
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Active
The Climate Pledge
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Not active
UN Global Compact Climate Champions initiative
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Not active
RE 100
2040 targetSee details
Active
Climate Action 100
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Not active
Emissions comparison with industry peers
View similar organisationsCompanyCountryIndustryLast updatedScoreDetails
Kakao1 month ago
52
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Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Kakao’s sustainability data and climate commitments
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