A British designer and manufacturer of paperboard food packaging has achieved a remarkable 22% reduction in carbon emissions in year three of its net-zero programme.
Bedford-based Colpac had originally forecasted a total annual carbon reducion of 4%, but ended up achieving more than fives that figure.
Not only has Colpac taken a big step on its decarbonisation journey, it has also positioned itself as a favourable partner in support of its customers’ net-zero goals.
Colpac has reduced emissions across several key areas, including transport optimisation, on-site energy reduction, and purchasing policy development. Colleague engagement and collaboration has also been strengthened, resulting in widespread buy-in at all levels and team members actively contributing ideas.
Talia Goldman, ESG Manager at Colpac, said: “By fostering a collaborative culture, we have exceeded our targets and empowered our team to make meaningful contributions to our net-zero goals.”
“I am so proud of the reduction that we have worked together to achieve so far and can’t wait to see what we can accomplish in years to come.”
In addition to emissions savings, Colpac has enhanced its data collection methods in partnership with energy consultants Inspired PLC. The teams implemented more accurate transport emissions measurements and even developed bespoke emissions factors to reflect real-world data. These enhancements demonstrate Colpac’s consistent dedication to elevating data integrity, reinforcing Colpac’s leadership in carbon reporting and best practice.
Dr Harriet Kildahl, ESG Manager at Inspired Plc, said: “Colpac has spent significant time and effort increasing the quality and accuracy of emissions data, particularly in the complex area of third-party transport. Our implementation of a percentage-laden system demonstrates exemplary attention to detail that is rarely seen in corporate greenhouse gas reporting at this stage. We are proud to support Colpac in developing bespoke emissions factors to make data collection as precise as possible and pave the way for informed, impactful climate action.”
Colpac’s net-zero programme, launched in 2023, incorporates a comprehensive strategy to address Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. The company’s current net-zero targets aim to achieve Scope 1 net-zero by 2035, Scope 2 net-zero by 2030, and overall net-zero by 2045. In February 2024, Colpac secured SBTi validation, further solidifying its commitment to long-term science-based goals.
With plans to re-establish its baseline data and recalculate its net-zero targets to reflect ambition, Colpac is levelling the playing field and exceeding businesses of a much larger scale, setting a powerful precedent for other businesses to follow.
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