Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Decarbonisation and energy
• Employee well-being
• Materials with purpose

Environmental Achievements

• Reduced energy use from 210.9GWh in 2020 to 156.6GWh in 2021, predominantly due to the impact of Covid-19 on production levels.
• Purchased 574,000kWh of solar energy (2020: 298,000kWh) and 275,000kWh of hydro energy (2020: 229,000kWh).

Social Achievements

• Maintained Bronze Award in the Better Health at Work Award scheme.
• Provided access to physiotherapists, annual medicals, an Employee Wellbeing Helpline, and trained on-site mental health first aiders.
• Offered various wellbeing initiatives such as balanced meals in canteens, cycle-to-work schemes, and employee engagement in health initiatives.

Governance Achievements

• Established an ESG Committee in September 2020 to unify ESG best practices across the Group.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Reducing direct CO2 emissions from burning natural gas.
• Sourcing clean electricity to supplement clean generation.
• Reducing indirect emissions from the supply chain.

Mitigation Strategies

• Commitment to a program for significant emission reduction by 2030.
• Focus on reducing primary energy usage.
• Innovation and research into new technologies for energy generation and usage.
• Selection of a partner to help measure supply chain carbon emissions and set reduction targets.

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• 100% of fresh fibre is certified to internationally recognised FSC® and PEFC® schemes.

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: UN Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Papers from responsible sources
• Materials turning waste into resources
• Specialist materials supporting green energy
• Sustainable packaging alternatives to single-use plastics
• Bio-based moulded fibre technology replacing plastics

Awards & Recognition

• Multi-award winning eco-responsible pack design for Maison Ruinart (ColourformTM)

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Decarbonisation
• Sustainable Manufacturing
• People and Society
• Responsible Business Practices
• Materials with Purpose

Environmental Achievements

• Achieved a 16.6% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions (34,700 tCO²e from 41,600 tCO²e)
• 8% annualised reduction in site fuel consumption
• 10.8% decrease in upstream Scope 3 emissions (41,000 tCO²e from 46,000 tCO²e)
• Installed a new high-efficiency steam boiler
• Attained planning permission and grant for a new Low Carbon Energy Centre
• Completed work on balancing paper machine drying hoods
• Purchased 100% renewable electricity for the Burneside site
• Reduced plastic film wrap use by 11 tonnes in 5 months (59% reduction)
• Recycled 103 tonnes of plastic from cup waste

Social Achievements

• Launched FibreBlend Upcycled Technology programme
• Launched ECOVEIL range of sustainable materials
• Created the first-ever 100% plastic-free remembrance poppy
• Provided a one-off cost of living payment to employees (£0.6m total)
• Opened on-site gym and refreshed canteen
• Launched LEAP leadership development programme
• Improved employee engagement survey participation and scores
• Donated £6,327 to local charities
• Supported six work experience placements and two university placements
• Invested over £100k in apprenticeships

Governance Achievements

• Formed ESG Committee in 2020
• Created new roles of General Counsel & Company Secretary and Chief Financial and Operations Officer
• Revised Chairman's remuneration to a single fee
• Implemented a two-year post-vesting holding period for share awards
• Implemented a new employee Code of Ethics & Behaviours
• Improved Board meeting structure and quality

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• High energy and raw material costs
• Declining demand in some traditional paper markets
• Margin pressures in the Paper division
• Pension deficits
• Security of supply
• Energy price volatility
• Attraction and retention of key skills
• Cybersecurity threats

Mitigation Strategies

• Implemented price increases and energy surcharges
• Streamlined Paper division portfolio and service offer
• Right-sized Paper business with headcount reduction
• Implemented a new operational model with continuous seven-day manufacturing
• Investing in energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy sources
• Developed alternative sourcing strategies
• Upgrading people policies and practices
• Investing in IT systems and infrastructure
• Evolving cyber security posture
• Strengthening compliance and corporate governance

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Over 90% compliance with Supplier Code of Conduct

Responsible Procurement

• Supplier Code of Conduct
• Sustainable sourcing practices

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks

• Flooding

Transition Risks

• Regulatory changes
• Market shifts
• Energy price volatility

Opportunities

• Growth in renewable energy and decarbonisation markets
• Development of energy-efficient products

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Standard, UN Sustainable Development Goals

Certifications: Null

Third-party Assurance: Erebus Environmental Ltd

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• Not disclosed

Pioneering materials and technologies to tackle global challenges aligned with UN SDGs

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• FibreBlend Upcycled Technology
• ECOVEIL
• Rydal Apparel
• Plastic-free poppy

Awards & Recognition

• Dieline award
• D&AD awards
• EcoVadis gold medal rating