Stora Enso offsets the carbon emissions generated from the production and delivery of Multicopy Zero by purchasing carbon credits to achieve certified CarbonNeutral® paper. Natural Capital Partners – a recognised global leader in credible business climate action programmes – supports Stora Enso in the design and delivery of this programme. Stora Enso’s main contact at Natural Capital Partners is Tom Popple – Senior Manager, Climate Change and Sustainability. We had the opportunity to talk with him about the idea of net zero emissions, the company and its plans for the future.
The company was founded in London more than 20 years ago when we pioneered the concept of offsetting emissions through tree planting programs. We made it our mission to create credible and scalable mechanisms and high quality solutions for businesses to take climate action.
We were the first to provide a clear set of guidelines for businesses to achieve carbon neutrality back in 2002, with The CarbonNeutral Protocol. Every year since then we’ve continued our commitment to providing a robust framework for credible carbon neutral action, updating it annually to follow the latest scientific and industry best practice with guidance from an advisory group. The essence of The Protocol is to identify which emissions are avoidable and what can’t be changed and therefore will need offsetting. It gives companies the third-party guarantee they need to demonstrate the quality and integrity of their CarbonNeutral® certification.
We work with more than 300 companies around the world, many of which are large, multinational corporations, but we also have mid-sized and family-owned businesses on our client list. No matter the size, we tailor carbon programs according to business needs.
I’m pleased to say we’ve been recognised as Best Offset Retailer by Environmental Finance for nine years in a row, which I think shows our commitment to a quality service for our clients.
Carbon neutrality is achieved by calculating a carbon footprint and reducing it to zero through a combination of in-house efficiency measures and supporting emission reduction projects. We help companies choose these projects, which often deliver benefits to local communities and biodiversity beyond the carbon reduction through renewable energy, improved cookstoves or forest protection and creation.
The wonderful thing is that we work with more than 350 projects across 40 countries, so companies can select ones that align with their business operations, products or services, and contribute to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that are important to them. To make Multicopy Zero a carbon neutral product, Stora Enso chose to support three projects from a shortlist, based on their brief to us – projects in China, Vietnam and Sub-Saharan Africa.
You might think that a paper producing company would look upon digitalisation as a threat. There sure has been much talk about “digital vs print” the last decade. In Stora Enso’s case, that assumption is as wrong as can be. We see the bigger picture. Digital solutions are helping us make the most out of every tree we use, and they are taking us closer to the goal of a safer and more efficient industry.
As the renewable materials company, Stora Enso is leading the way towards a fossil free future. Sustainability is at our very core and in every part of our business. The workplace environment is one important area. Because no company, no matter how green and clean, is truly sustainable if it fails to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of its employees.
Jonathan Bakewell has been at Stora Enso for 34 years. He quite often gets questions like “What’s the biggest difference since you started out?” and “Was it better in the past?” and yes, he also gets a few “three decades at the same company, what’s wrong with you?!” However, Jonathan is still glad to be a part of this company’s mission to lead the way towards a fossil free future. Proud and inspired after all this time. That says a lot, doesn’t it? This is his Stora Enso-story and some thoughts on the major changes in our business area since 1987.