In the past decades, sustainability has become a critical component of any successful corporate strategy. Organizations worldwide are increasingly recognizing the importance of measuring, managing, and reducing their environmental impact. At the forefront of this movement is the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), a global non-profit organization that drives companies and governments to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and safeguard natural resources.
The latest version of the Environmental Paper Assessment Tool, EPAT, features the inclusion of CDP as part of the expanded reporting on Corporate Sustainability Initiatives. By adding CDP commitment of suppliers, EPAT now provides buyers of paper and packaging products with deeper insights into the environmental performance of their suppliers, specifically in areas related to climate change, water security, and deforestation.
Founded in 2000, the CDP serves as a disclosure system for companies, cities, states, and regions to manage their environmental impacts. It operates on behalf of more than 800 institutional investors, representing $100 trillion in assets. The CDP provides a standardized platform for reporting environmental data, focusing on three primary areas: climate change, water security, and deforestation.
Transparency is a cornerstone of effective sustainability practices. By disclosing environmental data through the CDP, organizations demonstrate accountability and commitment to environmental stewardship. This transparency not only builds trust with stakeholders but also provides insights for investors, enabling them to make informed decisions based on a company’s environmental performance and risks.
Moreover, the very act of environmental disclosure encourages organizations to critically assess their operations, identify areas for improvement, and implement strategies to reduce their environmental footprint. This fosters a culture of continuous improvement and helps position companies to better navigate the risks and opportunities associated with climate change and resource scarcity.
EPAT is deeply aligned with the principles and goals of the CDP. EPAT’s web-based platform allows suppliers and buyers to share sustainability metrics, leveraging measured data from pulp, paper, and packaging mills. The platform evaluates more than 30 performance indicators across the lifecycle of paper-based products, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of sustainability practices.
Companies like Sappi, Billerud, and UPM exemplify how companies can use CDP ratings to drive progress toward sustainability goals.
Sappi, with its strong commitment to reducing carbon emissions and water usage, has consistently earned high CDP ratings, demonstrating its leadership in sustainable resource management.
Billerud, known for its focus on renewable materials and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, uses its CDP disclosures to showcase transparency and commitment to climate action.
UPM excels in CDP’s climate and water categories by aligning its operations with science-based targets, pushing forward industry standards in decarbonization.
Their participation reflects the broader industry trend of using CDP not only as a benchmark for sustainability performance but as a tool for driving continuous improvement across their global operations. EPAT’s integration of CDP ratings builds on this momentum, offering buyers a clearer understanding of their suppliers’ environmental impacts and enhancing decision-making based on credible, transparent data.
