A carbon footprint is a method used to measure and communicate the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted both directly and indirectly in the production and delivery of goods and services.
Raw materials, energy consumed and transportation are the main elements used to calculate the carbon footprint of a product.
Calculating carbon footprint - A complex system where system boundaries are crucial
There is not yet a standard global method for calculating a carbon footprint, so comparing the carbon footprint of different companies or of products from different producers is extremely difficult. As global standards and rules are still being developed, each party can choose what to include in the scope of their calculations.
UPM uses two levels of carbon accounting - corporate level and product level. The corporate-level carbon footprint indicates the impact of UPM's activities as a whole.
The product-level carbon footprint provides information on the impact of certain products. For example, the latter can be used by customers to support efforts related to reducing climate change and carbon consumption. By 2020, UPM aims to reduce fossil CO2 emissions by 15%, compared with levels in 2008.
Corporate level
Since 2007, UPM has calculated its carbon footprint on a corporate level, using the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol Initiative, which is the most widely used tool.
In its calculations, UPM includes emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxides (N2O) from the following components:
• Fuels for manufacturing
• Purchased electricity
• Transportation of raw materials and products
• Employee air travel
• Waste management
UPM's Main Sources of GHG-emissions in 2010
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UPM’s corporate-level carbon footprint calculation has been verified by Inspecta according to ISO 14064 and GHG Protocol Corporate standards.
Product level
At product level, UPM's carbon footprint calculations are based on the ten elements of the Carbon Footprint Framework for Paper and Board Products developed by CEPI (Confederation of European Paper Industries).
Product Carbon Footprint declarations are available as a supplement to other product-related environmental declarations (see example).
The ten elements of the CEPI Framework are:
1. Carbon sequestration in the forest
2. Carbon stored in the product
3. GHG emissions from pulp and paper production
4. GHG emissions associated with producing fresh or recovered fibre
5. GHG emissions associated with producing other raw materials
6. GHG emissions associated with purchased electricity and steam
7. Transport-related GHG emissions
8. GHG emissions attributable to product use (e.g. printing)
9. GHG emissions attributable to end-of-life-management of product
10. Avoided emissions