Carbon footprints as tools to demonstrate impact

 

We use three levels of carbon accounting: corporate level, site level and product level. The corporate-level carbon footprint indicates the impact of our activities as a whole and takes all sites into account.

 

The product-level carbon footprint provides information on the impact of individual products. For example, it can be used by customers to support efforts to reduce climate change and carbon consumption.

It is crucial to pay attention to the standards, scopes and assumptions behind any claims relating to the carbon footprint of a company or product. Comparing the carbon footprint of different companies or products from different producers can be difficult due to the varying scopes and methods used.

 
 

Corporate level carbon footprint calculations

Since 2007, we have calculated our carbon footprint on a corporate level, using the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol Initiative, which is the most widely used tool.

In 2012 we developed our inventory of indirect emissions so that the reporting of our Scope 3 emissions is based on the GHG Protocol Scope 3 Standard (Corporate Value Chain Accounting and Reporting Standard).

In 2020, we started a comprehensive project on scope 3 emissions to help achieve our 2030 target to reduce the fossil CO2 emission levels of our supply chain by 30% by 2030. Our focus is on reducing emissions from logistics and main raw materials such as pulp, pigments, chemicals and paper. We also aim to increase industry collaboration to create standardised ways of reporting emissions from purchased products, raw materials and transportation. Read more about -30by30 programme aiming at mitigating climate change together with our suppliers and partners.

In our calculations​, we include emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxides (N2O) from the following components (see table below):

 

​Carbon footprint

 

 

Scope 1

  • Direct emissions from production

Scope 2

  • Purchased electricity

Scope 3

  • Purchased goods and services
  • Production of fuels
  • Transportation of raw materials and distribution of products
  • Waste generated in operations
  • Business travel
  • Processing of sold products
  • End-of-life treatment of sold products

More detailed information about greenhouse gas reporting is available in the PDF- document here.

Product level carbon footprint calculations

At product level, our chemical pulp and paper 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). Other products, such as biofuels, labels, plywood and timber have used their own approaches.

Product Carbon Footprint declarations are available as a supplement to other product-related environmental declarations.

 

Collaboration with the aim of responsible supply chains