We all know that climate change is one of today’s most pressing challenges around the world. Even though we cannot solve all the world’s challenges alone, we all need to do our part to reduce our carbon footprint and improve the industry for the better.
That sounds great, but the question we keep hearing from suppliers is “where do we start?”. Everyone wants to be more sustainable but often it is not so clear how to achieve this. Especially in a fairly complex topic like carbon emissions. If you google it you will find many words and terms such as ‘net zero’, ‘climate neutrality’, ‘scope emissions’ and so on.
This document will explain what a carbon footprint is, what all these terms mean, and how you can work to reduce your company’s footprint. Both in the short-term and long-term.
Why do we need to reduce emissions?
Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time. After years of struggling, a global agreement was finally achieved in December 2015. 196 countries came together and signed the Paris Agreement, committing to limiting global warming to just 1.5°C. This was a major milestone in the fight against climate change.
The EU is also taking big steps towards a sustainable future with their Green Deal policies. One of these policies is the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which will require businesses to report their emissions and take action to reduce them. This is a huge step towards a greener future and it's exciting to see businesses taking responsibility for their impact on the environment.
We all have a role to play in reducing our carbon footprint and protecting our planet. So let's get excited about these positive changes and work together towards a sustainable future!
What role does the print industry play in this?
To reach the aims of the Paris Agreement, businesses need to take steps to reduce their carbon footprint. There are many ways to do this, and involve a combination of short-term and long-term changes. Such as using more environmentally friendly materials and printing processes, to using renewable energy sources.
How are emissions measured?
In three different scopes:
Scope 1: Direct emissions from your facilities
Scope 2: Indirect emissions from energy consumption
Scope 3: Indirect emissions across the value chain.
The areas where businesses can quickly reduce their emissions are in Scope 1 and 2. Emissions here are mainly related to company vehicles and purchased energy. This means that you can easily make changes here, for example by reducing energy consumption, moving to a renewable energy supplier, or using more sustainable vehicles.
Scope 3 is more difficult to influence. This is because it relates to all the other emissions associated with your business - both up and down the value chain. For most businesses, Scope 3 accounts for around 75%+ of total emissions. Though we do not have direct control over many of these areas, there are a wide variety of ways to reduce these emissions. For example by using sustainable logistic solutions and purchasing more sustainable materials.
Source: WRI/WBCSD Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Accounting and Reporting Standard (PDF), page 5.
Can I grow my business and reduce emissions at the same time?
Growing your business does not need to come at the cost of not being sustainable! In fact, there are plenty of eco-friendly options out there that can actually save you money, while also helping you reduce your carbon footprint.
For instance, have you considered switching to LED lighting? Not only will it reduce your energy consumption, but it can also lower your bills and carbon footprint at the same time. And that's just the tip of the iceberg! By increasing your sustainable product offerings, you can actually attract more customers and grow your business at the same time. Research shows that customers are willing to pay up to 10% more for sustainable products and brands. So, why not tap into this growing demand while also doing your part to save the planet?
Reducing emissions can also be measured using “carbon intensity”. This is the total emissions divided by total units of production/revenue. This can highlight a shift towards more sustainable operations, even while the company grows and increases production.
What is Net Zero?
To reach the Paris Agreement target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C, the world needs to shift towards ‘Net Zero’ emissions. The idea of this is that all emissions are reduced as much as possible, with any remaining emissions removed/re-absorbed from the atmosphere.
Many businesses are beginning to announce “Net Zero” policies/commitments on how they plan to reduce their scope 1, 2 & 3 emissions. These include targets for the short-term and long-term on reducing total emissions and becoming fully net zero by at least the 2040s.
How can I reduce my carbon footprint?
The best way to start is to look at where your emissions are coming from. You can then look at all the categories that make up scope 1, 2 & 3 (see image) and plan ways in which emissions can be reduced here.
Look out for our upcoming posts about specific initiatives from across the industry to reduce your footprint!
