Smurfit Kappa highlights accelerated fossil CO2 emissions reductions in Sustainable Development Report

06 May 2021 --- Smurfit Kappa is reporting seven percent fossil CO2 emission cutbacks in 2020 compared to 2019, representing an accelerated reduction on the previous year. 

The corrugated packaging giant was the first in its industry to announce targeting at least net-zero emissions by 2050.

Compared to its baseline year 2005, the Irish-headquartered company reduced its emissions intensity by 37.3 percent by the end of 2020.

Smurfit Kappa claims to be “well on its way” to reaching its 55 percent reduction intermediate 2030 target, in line with the EU Green Deal objectives.

The CO2 savings were reported in the company’s 14th Sustainable Development Report (SDR), which also highlighted:

• Water discharge quality improved by 5 percent.
• Waste to landfill intensity decreased by 18 percent.
• Chain of Custody certified packaging deliveries to customers increased by 2 percent.
• Safety performance improved by 29 percent.
• Social projects received €7.7 million (US$9.3 million) in donations, including €3 million (US$3.6 million) in various COVID-related projects during the financial year.

“During the pandemic, the importance of sustainability has become even clearer. Climate change has become in the eyes of many a climate crisis, and diversity, inclusion and equality are urgent issues for global society,” comments Tony Smurfit, Group CEO.

“Circular economy and sustainable forestry management are at the heart of our business principles and directly addresses legitimate concerns of our customers and indeed of the broader public.”

“With a focus on sustainability, and by collaborating with our value chain partners, we can create greater social, economic and environmental value.”Smurfit Kappa Brazil’s paperboard shipping box for wine and food has scored a Red Dot Award in the Product Design 2021 category, impressing with its combination of product safety and eco-friendly materials.

Independently assured reporting
While the SDR has been independently assured since 2009, the 2020 SDR is Smurfit Kappa’s first to report in line with the recommendations of the Taskforce for Climate related Financial Disclosures and the Sustainable Accounting Standards Board criteria.

The company also aligned its sustainability ambitions with its financing by embedding its sustainability targets via Key Performance Indicators into its existing €1.35 billion (US$1.63 billion) Revolving Credit Facility (RCF), creating a Sustainability Linked RCF at the end of 2020.

Smurfit Kappa has been contributing to making the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals a reality since 2015.

This contribution was recognized by the Support the Goals movement in 2020 when the company became the first FTSE 100 company to receive a five-star rating. 

“This five-star rating from Support the Goals, our continued listing on the FTSE4Good, Euronext Vigeo Europe 120 and others, and the recent upgrading by ISS ESG to the highest rating in the environmental category, is testament to the commitment of everyone in our company and our end-to-end approach to sustainability,” notes Steven Stoffer, Group VP of sustainable development at Smurfit Kappa.Smurfit Kappa’s 3 L Bag-in-Box packaging design received Amazon’s “Frustration-Free Packaging” certification.

Better Planet Packaging portfolio
By committing to these sustainability targets, the company’s Better Planet Packaging portfolio of sustainable products will continue to help its customers to deliver on their own short- and long-term sustainability goals, it says.

The company recently showcased these innovative solutions to over 2,700 attendees at its Better Planet Packaging 2021 virtual event.

Smurfit Kappa’s end-to-end approach to sustainability is evident in its innovative products, including its award-winning paperboard shipping box for wine and food, paper-based punnet portfolio Safe&Green and TopClip paper-based beverage bundler for plastic shrink wrap replacement.

The company’s 3 L Bag-in-Box packaging design has also received Amazon’s “Frustration-Free Packaging” certification.

By Joshua Poole