Tetra Pak on Target to Meet 10% Reduction in CO2 Emissions by 2010
30 July 2007
Tetra Pak, one of the world's leading food and beverage processing and packaging equipment companies, is on target to reduce CO2 emissions by 10% in absolute terms by 2010, according to the company's 2007 environmental and social report. The report, released today and entitled 'Sustainable by Nature,' demonstrates the company's continued commitment to the environment and outlines its future goals.
CO2 EQUIVALENTS REDUCTION
Tetra Pak has reduced its CO2 emissions by 4% from 390,000t of CO2 equivalents in 2005 to 373,000t of CO2 equivalents in 2006. In addition, thanks to vigorous campaigns in local communities around the world, a record 21 billion beverage cartons were recycled according to the report.
KEY ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES
In recent years Tetra Pak has undertaken several key environmental initiatives. In December 2005, Tetra Pak formed a close partnership with the WWF®, and became one of 12 corporations to support WWF's climate savers programme, which aims to eliminate ten million tons of CO2 emissions annually by 2010. In January this year, Tetra Pak joined WWF's Global Forest and Trade Network (GFTN) – WWF's initiative to eliminate illegal logging and improve the management of valuable and threatened forests – to promote good forest governance and management practices.
"Our commitment is as much about good business as good corporate citizenship as saving energy and reducing waste means reducing costs," said Dennis Jönsson, Tetra Pak's president and chief executive officer. "In addition, with beverage cartons made of some 75% … wood fibre – a naturally renewable resource – we have a vested interest in responsible management of the forests where our products are ultimately sourced."
Other key findings of the report include the following.
CLIMATE CHANGE
In 2006, Tetra Pak reduced CO2 emissions by 4% in absolute terms and improved energy efficiency by 6.6% (per standard package produced). It has lowered its energy use in packaging material production since 2002 despite a 23% increase in production growth. Three factories also started to use green power in 2006.
Tetra Pak's overall goal is to reduce CO2 emissions by 10% in 2010. This will be achieved through a continued improvement in energy efficiency and the use of green power from renewable energy sources.
FORESTRY
Tetra Pak already uses 100% known and acceptable sources for the fibre in its paper. The company's ultimate goal is to have all the paper in its packaging certified to the highest standard – currently, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
RECYCLING
The total tonnage of Tetra Pak beverage cartons recycled globally has been steadily increasing and has reached 335,000t in 2006, an increase of 90,000t over the last five years.
COMMUNITY
Tetra Pak had considerable success with its food for development programme, having reached 43 million children around the world who received milk or other nutritious drinks in Tetra Pak packages in school. 17 million of these children live in developing countries.
Tetra Pak's food for development activities act as development catalysts, initiating, developing and supporting projects in developing countries that aim to fight poverty and improve nutrition. The United Nations recognised Tetra Pak for this work by awarding the company its 2006 world business award.
For further details or a copy of the environmental and social report 'Sustainable by Nature', please click on the link below.
