The initiative Science Based Targets (SBTi) has approved the objectives of emission reduction de Smurfit Kappa, considering them consistent with the levels required to meet the goals set by the Paris Agreement.
The SBTi is a collaboration between the CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Its job is to identify and promote good practice in setting science-based targets and independently assess each company's goals for the transition to a low-carbon economy.
The SBTi approval is the latest validation of Smurfit Kappa's leadership in sustainability within the paper-based packaging industry. In 2020, the company was the first industry to announce its goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and also introduced ambitious new sustainability goals with its Better Planet 2050 initiative. It was also the first company in the FTSE 100 Index to receive a five-star rating from the 'Support the Goals' initiative, in recognition of its support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, based on the excellent results received from external rating companies such as MSCI, ISS ESG and Sustainalytics.
Tony smurfit, the Group CEO, said: “The validation of SBTi builds on the strength of our sustainability credentials and is a hugely positive achievement for Smurfit Kappa and all of our stakeholders. The world must promote circular business with lower carbon emissions. The SBTi validation is further proof of our ability to meet this goal and a guarantee to our customers that our operational footprint and packaging solutions are becoming more sustainable. In fact, sustainability is a fundamental element in all our operations, as we make a long-term commitment to protect the planet, its inhabitants and all our stakeholders”.
For its part, Garrett Quinn, director of the Smurfit Kappa Sustainability department, added that “in the company we focus on long-term goals and combine them with present action and results. The SBTi approval has also highlighted the strength of our continued performance on our sustainability benchmarks. Since we began publishing our corporate sustainable development reports 15 years ago, we've collaborated with like-minded organizations to tackle serious issues like climate change, waste reduction and water scarcity. The SBTi approval gives us a strong foundation to pave the way towards our Better Planet 2050 goals and plays an increasingly important role in meeting our customers' sustainability goals."
