Press release from the issuing company:
UPM Communication Papers is launching a new climate action roadmap, marking a significant milestone in accelerating its climate actions. The initiative reinforces its long-standing commitment to sustainability and further supports its customers in achieving their climate targets. The roadmap builds on UPM Communication Papers’ existing climate goals and commitments setting out concrete actions to further reduce carbon emissions across the paper value chain.
A key element of the roadmap is a clearly defined climate target. By 2030, fossil CO2 emissions from UPM Communication Papers’ own operations and externally sourced energy at European sites will be reduced to ≤100kg per tonne of paper on average, a reduction of more than 70% compared to the baseline year 2023. This ambitious plan responds to the urgent need to address climate change and helps customers lower emissions within their own value chains while meeting growing consumer expectations for sustainable products.
“We are committed to tackling climate change by addressing carbon emissions at every level,” said Gunnar Eberhardt, executive vice president, UPM Communication Papers. “Our new climate target is an important step in our decarbonization journey. It reflects our commitment to making a real impact through innovation, collaboration, and transparency, making us a trusted partner in shaping a sustainable future for paper.”
Actions driving decarbonization across the value chain
To significantly cut CO2 emissions, UPM Communication Papers is accelerating its shift to renewable energy through strategic actions such as long-term wind power purchase agreements and power-to-heat solutions. Each UPM Communication Papers mill has a tailored roadmap and activity plan contributing to the overall target.
The company is actively moving away from fossil fuels by electrifying production processes, for example, by producing electricity using steam generators and biogenic wood or bark residuals, while phasing out the usage of peat and coal.
In collaboration with suppliers and logistics partners, UPM is reducing supply chain emissions by improving transport efficiency, expanding intermodal transport, introducing electric trucks, and using renewable fuels. In addition to logistics, UPM is actively working with sourcing partners to reduce raw material sourcing related emissions. These actions support UPM’s “-30 by 30” goal to cut total supply chain emissions by 30% by 2030.
“By launching our climate action roadmap and setting a 2030 target, we’re turning climate urgency into concrete action and helping customers meet their own climate goals,” said Niina Niemelä, senior manager, sustainability, UPM Communication Papers. “This isn’t just about reducing emissions, it’s about ensuring that paper remains a sustainable and future-proof choice for generations to come.”
About UPM Communication Papers
Based in Finland, UPM Communication Papers offers the industry’s widest portfolio of graphic papers for newspaper, magazine, marketing, and book printing, as well as for home and office applications. The company drives the value of paper as a unique and sustainable medium of trust, impact, learning and inspiration. UPM Communication Papers employ around 5,000 people and operate 10 modern paper mills globally. Its annual production capacity is 4.3 million tonnes of graphical paper.
