Assuming that Tetra Pak grows by 5 per cent a year, capping emissions at 2010 levels would require a 40 per cent relative reduction in carbon emissions over the decade.
The new emissions target comes just weeks after the carton packaging specialist revealed how it had performed against its previous CO2 reduction goal.
Working against a 2005 base line, Tetra Pak had set a target of achieving a 10 per cent drop in absolute carbon emissions from its operations by 2010. In the end, the company reduced emissions by 11 per cent during a period when sales grew by 23.1 per cent.
Unlike the old target, the new goal for the next ten years has a broader scope, looking beyond Tetra Pak operations to the entire value chain and therefore involving both suppliers and customers. But that does mean that Tetra Pak has decided not to set an absolute emissions target this time.
Mario Abreu, director of forestry and recycling at Tetra Pak told FoodProductionDaily.com: “We committed to absolute targets when the scope of our climate goal was solely about our own operations. Needless to say, we have a higher degree of influence and control of our operations than for instance over the production of materials by suppliers.”
Recycling and renewable materials
Alongside its new emissions target, Tetra Pak has also revealed plans to double the recycling rate for its used drinks cartons by the end of the decade. To achieve this goal, Tetra Pak said it has to look beyond its own company borders and engage with the entire recycling chain.
It said work will cover “technology development, efficient collection and sorting schemes, and increased consumer awareness.”
And finally, Tetra Pak said it is aiming to increase its use of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper board in its products to 100 per cent. It has an interim target to reach 50 per cent in 2012.