Smurfit Kappa remains on target to deliver on its long-term goal to have at least net zero emissions by 2050, according to its 16th annual Sustainable Development Report, which was issued today.
The comprehensive report, which covers January to December 2022, highlights the company’s progress through continued capital investment, ongoing operational improvement and collaboration with customers and other key stakeholders.
Last year, Smurfit Kappa delivered several landmark achievements highlighting its continued leadership in sustainability including:
- A world first in successfully trialling hydrogen in its Saillat paper mill in France
- Completion of a multi-fuel boiler in the Zülpich paper mill in Germany which reduced emissions at the mill by 25%
- The announcement of the Group’s largest decarbonisation project in Cali, Colombia involving an investment of almost €100 million
- Commencement of a district heating project in Austria to benefit 20,000 homes across 3 communities.
Commenting on the release of the report, Tony Smurfit, Group CEO, said: “I am pleased that we have continued to deliver on our sustainability strategy not just because of what we achieved in 2022 but because of our planning and actions which extend beyond the short term. Smurfit Kappa’s purpose to create, protect and care continues to drive the changes needed to nurture a greener and bluer planet.
“Some of the significant sustainability achievements detailed in our latest SDR have included collaborative projects with participants from across our value-chain, a truly open and progressive approach to solving the major challenges facing society.”
Today’s report also shows the measurable progress that Smurfit Kappa has delivered during 2022 against all its Better Planet 2050 sustainability targets including:
- 43.9% reduction in CO2 emissions since 2005 and 4% in 2022 alone
- Reduction in water consumption by 2.1% in 2022
- Waste to landfill intensity decreased by 24% since 2013
- Packaging solutions sold as Chain of Custody, certified at 94.3%
- Total Recordable Injury Rate reduced by 13.6% in 2022
- Management positions held by women stood at 23.5% at the end of 2022, up from 22% in 2021
- Social investments of €18.4 million made since 2020.
In the past six months, there has been additional recognition of the company’s sustainability credentials. Smurfit Kappa received two ‘Top Rated’ badges from Morningstar Sustainalytics, for both ‘regional’ and ‘industry’ out-performance. These improved ratings build on the improved CDP (a global disclosure system for investors) climate rating of A- achieved in 2022 and the category-leading MSCI AA rating.
Garrett Quinn, Chief Sustainability Officer at Smurfit Kappa, added: “The value and importance of transparency in reporting on sustainability continues to grow. Earlier this month, Smurfit Kappa issued a report together with the Financial Times that found, whilst the corporate world has a lot of ambition and commitments, open, assured reporting and delivery is often lacking.
“For sixteen years, Smurfit Kappa has produced a comprehensive sustainability development report that has been third party assured since 2009. In a world increasingly concerned with greenwashing we hope this history of public, assured reporting, coupled with our continued delivery each year, gives all our stakeholders confidence in the Group’s sustainability strategy and delivery against its commitments.”
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