Graphic Packaging received approval from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) on its greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets, validating the company’s commitment to reduce its carbon footprint. In 2022, Graphic Packaging achieved its Vision 2025 GHG emissions and nonrenewable energy intensity goals three years early. The new targets build upon that progress and establish near-term, absolute GHG emissions reduction targets for its operations in line with the objective of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.

Graphic Packaging commits to reduce:

• Absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 50.4% by 2032 from a 2021 base year.*
• Absolute Scope 3 GHG emissions from purchased goods and services, fuel and energy related activities, upstream transportation and distribution, waste generated in operations, processing of sold products, and end of life treatment of sold products by 30% within the same timeframe.

“Sustainability is an integral part of our business strategy, and our impact extends well beyond our own business,” said Michael Doss, Graphic Packaging’s President and CEO. “We enable customers, including many of the world’s leading household brands, to transition toward recycled and more recyclable packaging solutions. As an increasing number of consumers are voting with their wallets by purchasing products from brands that are doing the right thing for the planet, we are proud to be fulfilling our purpose to package life’s everyday moments for a renewable future.”

As one of the largest providers of sustainable consumer packaging, Graphic Packaging has pledged to reduce the environmental footprint of its operations and products. Establishing emissions reduction goals to curb climate change reflects the company’s sustainability commitment to become better, every day for its employees, customers, shareholders and the planet.

“Validation from the Science Based Targets initiative marks an important milestone in our sustainability journey and provides a foundation for our future climate actions,” commented Michelle Fitzpatrick, Graphic Packaging’s Chief Sustainability Officer. “Graphic Packaging has a proven track record of delivering on our climate commitments, and these new targets will further advance our progress across the enterprise and our entire value chain.”

The SBTi is a global partnership between the Carbon Disclosure Process, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute and World Wide Fund for Nature. The SBTi defines and promotes best practices in emissions reductions and net-zero targets in line with climate science.

Graphic Packaging submitted a formal letter to SBTi in 2021, establishing its intent to set absolute carbon emissions targets in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement and UN Sustainable Development Goal 13. The company then took action, developing targets in 2022 and submitting a proposal to the SBTi in early 2023. Approval from the SBTi validates the company’s commitment to reduce its carbon footprint and supports its ongoing commitment to a more sustainable business and renewable future.

Read more about Graphic Packaging’s commitment to sustainability here.

*The target boundary includes biogenic land related emissions and removals from bioenergy feedstocks