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Denmaur secures a science-based first

Denmaur Independent Papers says it has strengthened its sustainability integrity by becoming the first national paper merchant to have a science-based target validated by the SBTi.

Denmaur secures a science-based first
Danny Doogan: “With our near-term target now proudly validated, we are beginning to plan our net-zero target which will concentrate on our Scope 3 emissions.”

Denmaur explains that science-based targets show companies how much and how quickly they need to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to prevent the worst effects of climate change.

The company continued, the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) – a partnership between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) – has rapidly become the leading authority for defining, validating and recording science-based targets. Denamur says at the time of writing, a total of 1042 UK companies had targets validated, with just under 6000 globally.

Denmaur now appears on the SBTi website with a 2030 near-term declaration to reduce its scope 1 and 2 emissions (emissions from fuels, vehicles and purchased electricity) in line with the 1.5ºC pathway set out in the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement. The company is also required to update and publish its progress towards this target each year.

Denmaur’s marketing and sustainability director, Danny Doogan says: “We have operated a robust carbon policy for some time, running side-by-side reduction and offsetting programmes. Aligning with the SBTi enables us to immediately focus on deep cuts to our operational emissions, whilst committing to becoming more transparent with our GHG disclosures.”

The company says its near-term reduction target of 46% by 2030 is based on its 2019 footprint and also includes the 2019 carbon footprint of its Bescot operation, which was acquired from Middleton Paper in 2022.

Danny Doogan added: “With our near-term target now proudly validated, we are beginning to plan our net-zero target which will concentrate on our Scope 3 emissions. These emissions, which will be much more challenging to reduce, are also relevant to the activities of our customers, such as product manufacture and upstream deliveries, for example”.

Denmaur says it has worked with carbon specialists Nero Carbon Limited to measure its emissions in line with the leading standards, Greenhouse Gas Protocol and ISO14064-1. Denmaur will continue to work with Nero on submitting its long-term, net-zero target with the SBTi by September of this year.

Danny Doogan continued: “We have a few more steps to complete our scope 3 emissions measurement and reduction strategy, but as the business currently stands, we intend to commit to achieving net-zero by 2040, well ahead of the 2050 global deadline. In the meantime, we intend to share our experience with customers and suppliers and assist with carbon measurements and opportunities to meet reduction targets.”

You can find out more about Denmaur Paper Media in our Publishing Services Directory.


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