- Obtaining supply chain data for some packaging solutions
- Poor-quality waste streams contaminating used paper and cardboard
- Lack of third-party alternatives on the market for some materials
- Customer resistance to alternative materials
- Supplier timelines in the provision of alternative materials
- Competition for water resources
- Potential supply constraints imposed by local authorities
DS Smith Plc
Greenhouse gas emissions & sustainability report data
In its 2023-05 to 2024-04 reporting, DS Smith Plc disclosed greenhouse gas emissions of 7.0M tCO2e/year. By scope: Scope 1: 1.3M tCO2e/year; Scope 2: 1.9M tCO2e/year; Scope 3: 4.7M tCO2e/year. Figures are as stated in the company's own report and may use different boundaries, units or methods (for example market-based vs location-based Scope 2), so compare with care.
GHG Emissions
7.0M tCO2e/year
2023-05 to 2024-04
Renewable Energy
29%
of total energy
Water Usage
52.5M m3/year
2023-05 to 2024-04
Waste
1.4M tons/year
2023-05 to 2024-04
Energy Use
14.1M MWh/year
2023-05 to 2024-04
📊 Emissions by Scope (2023-05 to 2024-04)
| Scope | What it covers | Reported value |
|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | Direct emissions from sources the company owns or controls (fuel combustion, company vehicles, process and fugitive emissions). | 1.3M tCO2e/year |
| Scope 2 | Indirect emissions from purchased electricity, steam, heat and cooling. | 1.9M tCO2e/year |
| Scope 3 | Other indirect emissions across the value chain (purchased goods, business travel, use of sold products, etc.). | 4.7M tCO2e/year |
New to scopes? Read Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions explained and market-based vs location-based Scope 2.
📈 Emissions by Report Period
| Report period | Headline emissions figure reported |
|---|---|
| 2023-05 to 2024-04 | 7.0M tCO2e/year |
| 2022-05 to 2023-04 | 7.4M tCO2e/year |
| 2021-05 to 2022-04 | 8.3M tCO2e/year |
| 2020-05 to 2021-04 | 2.3K Kt CO2e/year (net energy exported) |
| 2019-01 to 2019-12 | 1.9K Kt CO2e/year |
| 2018 | 1.9K Kt CO2e (2018 with acquisitions) |
Each row is the headline figure extracted from a different report; scope coverage and methodology can change between years.
✅ Reported Environmental Achievements
- 5% reduction in total greenhouse gas emissions compared to last year
- 19% reduction in total greenhouse gas emissions compared to 2019/20 base year
- 19% reduction in waste to landfill compared to last year
- Over 1.2 billion pieces of plastic avoided through supply of alternative corrugated solutions since 2020/21
- 10% reduction in water abstracted for use in own process per tonne of production compared to last year at paper mills in water stressed areas
- €90 million investment to transition Rouen mill to biomass waste, saving c. 99,000 tonnes CO2e, expected by 2025/26
🎯 Climate & Sustainability Targets
🔜 Short-term
- By 2025, optimise fibre for individual supply chains in 100 per cent of new packaging solutions
- By 2025, test up to five reuse pilots and continue to manufacture 100 per cent recyclable and reusable packaging
- By 2025, measure and improve biodiversity in our own forests and assess our dependencies on nature
- By 2025, biodiversity programmes in place at each of our paper mills
- By 2025, 100 per cent of our paper mills and packaging sites to have water management plans
📅 Medium-term
- By 2030, optimise every fibre for every supply chain
- By 2030, send zero waste to landfill
- By 2030, aim for all our packaging to be recycled or reused
- By 2030, reduce Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions by 46 per cent compared to 2019
- By 2030, engage 10 million people on the circular economy and circular lifestyles
🔭 Long-term
- By 2050, reach Net Zero GHG emissions
🌱 ESG Focus Areas
CircularityCarbonPeople & CommunitiesNature