Smurfit Kappa has announced new targets to further reduce its carbon dioxide emissions, including an ambition to become at least net zero by 2050.
The Irish packaging giant has also increased its intermediate CO2reduction target to a 55 per cent reduction by 2030, against a 2005 baseline.
The paper-based packaging manufacturer said it is having these targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative in line with the objectives of the Paris Agreement.
Smurfit Kappa has had a major focus on sustainability since 2005, and the company said it had already achieved a reduction in CO2emission intensity of 32.9 per cent, making it close to reaching its previous target of a 40 per cent reduction by 2030.
It said this been the result of “the successful implementation of key projects that form part of the company’s medium-term strategic plan”.
One such project was the installation of a recovery boiler at the company’s Nettingsdorf Paper Mill in Austria which began operating in June 2020. The new boiler is set to cut CO2emissions by an additional 40,000 tonnes,which translates into an additional 1.5 per cent reduction in CO2emissions across the business.
Speaking on behalf of Smurfit Kappa, group CEO Tony Smurfit said: “We are proud to support the EU Green Deal objectives to reach net zero emissions by 2050. We have made good progress on our existing targets and these new targets underline the organisation’s continued commitment to sustainability and to do better for the planet.
“Sustainability has been at the core of our business for decades, and we want to lead from the front and raise the bar for the paper and packaging industry by setting such ambitious targets. This is a source of pride for all our customers and employees.”
