SMURFIT Kappa is making ‘significant progress’ in reducing its relative CO2 emissions, according to its 13th annual Sustainable Development Report (SDR).
The paper-based packaging provider reported a 32.9% reduction in fossil CO2 emission intensity between 2005 and 2019. Citing it as an ‘impressive’ achievement, the firm said that it aims to reduce relative CO2 emissions by 40% by 2030.
The report also discussed current CO2 reduction target with the Science Based Target (SBT) initiative to confirm that it is aligned with the Paris Agreement and the recommendations of the latest climate science findings. In addition to seeking SBT validation, the firm said that it also looking to build on more than a decade of providing full CO2 disclosures, by supporting the task force for climate-related financial disclosures.
Other areas of progress detailed in the report was safety, with a 17% reduction in its total recordable injury rate; 92.1% reached for packaging sold as chain of custody certified; and a 35% reduction of relative chemical oxygen demand.
Tony Smurfit, group CEO, said, “We have been deemed an ‘essential business’ during the Covid-19 pandemic and at this challenging time, our immediate, primary focus is to protect our employees and meet our customers’ needs. I am immensely proud of how our 46,000 employees are playing their part to maintain vital supply chains during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Sustainability remains a key focus for us. Today’s report gives an insight into how it continues to underpin our all business operations and outlines the progress we are making in the areas of environmental, social and governance criteria.”
Steven Stoffer, group VP development at Smurfit Kappa added, “During these uncertain times we will continue to focus on our sustainability offering, not only to customers, but also on where we can make a tangible difference in the communities in which we operate.
“For Smurfit Kappa, sustainability is more than mitigating climate change and minimising environmental impact by our operations; the Sustainable Development Report also demonstrates how we are using our scale, experience and expertise to help deliver solutions to a broad range of global issues including inclusion and diversity, safety and human rights.”
