Smurfit Kappa sets new sustainability targets with Better Planet 2050

Smurfit Kappa has today announced ambitious new sustainability targets in a number of  different areas. The new targets focus on a further reduction of its environmental footprint,  increased support for the communities in which it operates and further enhancement to the  lives of its employees. These targets build upon the company’s well-established sustainability  record, on which it has been reporting since 2005, and are contained in the Better Planet 2050 commitments.  

Better Planet 2050 quantifies Smurfit Kappa’s continued commitment to sustainability, targeting environmental and social sustainability in areas where it believes it can have the  greatest impact. These include delivering sustainable packaging to customers, reducing its  environmental footprint in water usage, waste and carbon emissions and supporting its  communities, promoting inclusion and diversity as well as health and safety. The targets  identified are specific, measurable and provide a roadmap to deliver results in the short,  medium and longer timeframes. 

Smurfit Kappa Group CEO, Tony Smurfit said: “Sustainability has always been part of our  DNA but concerns about how we treat our planet, how we create a more inclusive world and  support greater equality across our communities has never been so important. More needs to  be done to address these global challenges. That is why we are setting new, more ambitious  short-term targets and longer-term goals. Better Planet 2050 quantifies our commitment to  protect what we care about – our planet, our people and our business - through a set of  ambitious goals that will drive actions and behaviours that will deliver better outcomes.” 

Smurfit Kappa is the undisputed industry leader in delivering Chain of Custody certified  sustainable packaging solutions to its customers. The company will further increase its  certified deliveries to customers to 95%, up from its current 90% target. Chain of Custody  certified deliveries are essential in providing transparency and traceability to customers who  have trust and confidence that our raw materials are sustainably sourced.  

As a large processor rather than a large consumer of water, the new target will see the  company reduce its overall water intake. As a manufacturer of products that are renewable,  recyclable, recycled and biodegradable, the company will continue to seek alternative ways to  reuse, recycle and recover waste material to reduce waste to landfill. Last year, Smurfit Kappa  set out its most ambitious target to date when it announced a goal to achieve at least net zero  CO2 emissions by 2050.

Demonstrating Smurfit Kappa’s care for its people and support for communities in which it  operates, the company is targeting a range of measures including a further annual reduction  in its Total Recordable Injury Rate (TRIR). Separately and in addition, its stated ambition is to  ensure female gender representation is above 30%. Finally, the company is also committing  to donate over €24 million in the next five years to support community initiatives, building upon  the extensive volunteer and community work done locally throughout the world.