Denmaur secures a science based first

Print Solutions Green Solutions

Denmaur Independent Papers has further strengthened its sustainability integrity by becoming the first national paper and board merchant to have a science based target validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

Science based targets show companies how much and how quickly they need to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to prevent the worst effects of climate change.

The SBTi – a partnership between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) – has rapidly become the leading authority for defining, validating and recording science based targets. At the present time, a total of 1042 UK companies had targets validated, with just under 6000 globally.

Denmaur now appears on the SBTi website with a 2030 near term declaration to reduce its scope 1 and 2 emissions (emissions from fuels, vehicles and purchased electricity) in line with the 1.5ºC pathway set out in the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement. The company is also required to update and publish its progress towards this target each year.

Denmaur’s marketing and sustainability director, Danny Doogan, said: ‘We have operated a robust carbon policy for some time, running side by side reduction and offsetting programmes. Aligning with the SBTi enables us to immediately focus on deep cuts to our operational emissions, whilst committing to becoming more transparent with our GHG disclosures.’

Denmaur’s near term reduction target of 46% by 2030 is based on its 2019 footprint and also includes the 2019 carbon footprint of its Bescot operation, which was acquired from Middleton Paper in 2022.

Danny continued, ‘With our near term target now proudly validated, we are beginning to plan our net zero target which will concentrate on our Scope 3 emissions. These emissions, which will be much more challenging to reduce, are also relevant to the activities of our customers, such as product manufacture and upstream deliveries, for example.’

The company has worked with carbon specialist Nero Carbon Limited to measure its emissions in line with the leading standards, Greenhouse Gas Protocol and ISO14064-1. Denmaur will continue to work with Nero on submitting its long term, net zero target with the SBTi by September of this year.

Danny concluded, ‘We have a few more steps to complete our Scope 3 emissions measurement and reduction strategy, but as the business currently stands, we intend to commit to achieving net zero by 2040, well ahead of the 2050 global deadline. In the meantime, we intend to share our experience with customers and suppliers and assist with carbon measurements and opportunities to meet reduction targets.’