>>Energy & the Environment

Carbon Footprint

The Paper Industry has been deliberating over the issue of calculation and reporting of carbon footprints for paper products for some time now. Customers are increasingly asking for carbon footprint figures for our products and it is essential that such numbers are calculated on a consistent basis. CPI, through the European trade association CEPI, has published a comprehensive set of framework documents to allow paper companies to calculate the carbon footprint of their products on a consistent basis. CPI has also been engaging with Defra, BSI and the Carbon Trust in the development of PAS 2050, the forthcoming carbon measurement standard.

Climate Change Agreements

CPI believes that CCAs have been a success for energy-intensive industries over the last 7 years and have delivered larger emissions reductions than would otherwise have been the case. Our own sector’s CCA has helped deliver a 37% improvement in energy efficiency since 1990. The existing CCAs expire at the start of 2013 and CPI is involved in discussions with Defra over the shape of the “New CCA” scheme which will succeed the current scheme.

EU ETS - EU Emissions Trading Scheme

CPI has been working with the 55 paper mills who entered EU ETS for the first time on 1st January 2008 by advising them on steps needed to comply with the Environment Agency’s rigorous application procedures.

CPI has been heavily involved with lobbying UK Government officials and experts from other industries (and through CEPI, the European Commission and MEPs) over the shape of Phase III of EU ETS. We are participating in working groups to help the UK Government finalise its approach to Phase III which starts in 2013.

Fate of Chemicals

CPI is running a ‘Fate of Chemicals’ project which will provide a basis in science for assessing the likely components and effects of (a) low concentration paper mill discharges to the environment and (b) process residues being taken up by products which are later recovered and recycled. The extent of the environmental risk these present will be assessed using established risk management principles. The project will provide the industry and its suppliers with background information to enable them to respond to regulator requirements such as those under Pollution Prevention and Control (PPC) legislation. Chemical data from the participating mills and five of the major chemicals suppliers has been collected and a first draft report is being discussed by mill experts preparatory to being sent to the Environment Agency.

REACH

CPI supports the aims of REACH which are to protect human health and the environment, to reduce needless animal testing and to improve the transparency of properties of chemicals; we also approve of the streamlining of legislation which will result. Briefings have been given to paper mill staff and they have been encouraged to talk to their chemicals suppliers to ensure the uses to which mills put chemicals are registered as part of the REACH process. A comprehensive set of CEPI guidance documents for mill personnel has been produced and are available on our website.

If you would like further information regarding these specific issues please email David Morgan, Head of Regulatory Affairs dmorgan@paper.org.uk,

If you would like to know more about CPI, please visit our website www.paper.org.uk