On 9 July 2013, the EEPN has published the results of our assessment of 60 UK organisations’ paper efficiency (media release below).  Read the results in our Paper Efficiency Scorecard.

New scorecard reveals need for action on paper efficiency

NGOs challenge all sectors to improve paper efficiency to reduce carbon footprint

A Paper Efficiency Scorecard (1), published by the European Environmental Paper Network (EEPN) (2) at its ‘Paper Vapour’ event in London today, shows that whilst some UK organisations are making commendable efforts to use paper more efficiently, most of those surveyed need to do much more to address wasteful paper use. New analysis (3), commissioned by the EEPN, of the data available on the carbon footprint of paper, also published today, found that paper contributes more to climate change than previously thought and potentially more than global aviation. The EEPN calls these emissions ‘paper vapour’. It is challenging all sectors to value paper more highly as a resource and to reduce their paper consumption and suggests that particular attention is given to wasteful uses of paper such as ‘throw away’ and ‘disposable’ products, in order to reduce their significant climate impact. Co-ordinator of the EEPN and its ‘Shrink Paper’ project, Mandy Haggith, said: “We all know flying causes significant climate impacts, yet this latest analysis finds that paper’s footprint is actually larger.It has such a significant carbon footprint that paper efficiency should be a central part of any organisation’s climate change policies and action plans.” The Paper Efficiency Scorecard ranks the paper efficiency efforts of 60 of the UK’s largest organisations. It found that some organisations, most notably Marks and Spencer, the Scottish Parliament,The Co-operative Group, Sainsbury’s, the Welsh Government and the Highland Council, have made commendable efforts to improve their paper efficiency. However, many others are not yet addressing how to cut their paper use. The two worst performing sectors were catalogue retailers and utilities. “We applaud those high-flying organisations that are making a genuine effort to use paper more wisely and hope that those in which the concept is yet to hatch will now grasp the full benefits of paper efficiency. By reducing wasteful paper use, organisations around the world can significantly reduce their carbon footprints, as well as their financial costs,” said Haggith. Notes to Editors:

(1) For the Paper Efficiency Scorecard, see http://environmentalpaper.eu/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/paper-efficiency-scorecard-final.pdf

(2) The European Environmental Paper Network (EEPN) is a coalition of 70 non-governmental organisations. For a list of member organisations see: http://environmentalpaper.eu/our-network/our-member-organisations/

(3) For the discussion paper ‘Paper Vapour: the Climate Impact of the Paper Industry’ see http://environmentalpaper.eu/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/paper-vapour-discussion-paper-c.pdf

Contact: Mandy Haggith, Co-ordinator of the EEPN and its ‘Shrink Paper’ project on 07734235 704 Matilda Bradshaw, Communications Manager, ‘Shrink Paper’ project on 07775828634