The world’s diplomats in Glasgow are hammering out the fine print in negotiations to slow down or halt climate change and the untold consequences that will surely follow failure. The impact of the printing industry is unlikely to be high in their considerations. Any direct impacts on the print industry will follow as legislation designed to implement any agreements is drawn up and passed by national governments. It will be law to enshrine what is already happening – carbon measurement and carbon reporting are coming. ROCE is about to become less Return on Capital Employed and more Return on Carbon Emissions.
This goes well beyond offsetting the carbon element in paper, well beyond operation of an environmental management system recognised by ISO14001. Many of the publishers, brands and agencies that use print will have taken action to reduce their Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, those that relate to their buildings and direct activities. They are now turning to reductions in Scope 3, the emissions generated along the supply chain. And that does involve print. In order to satisfy these demands, printers will need to answer questions on the carbon elements in production and from their supply chain in turn.
This will logically lead to a carbon number for every printed book, carton, brochure and leaflet that is printed. Forward thinking printers will already be gathering the data that is needed to make that calculation. Because it is going to be required to answer questions from major brands. Carbon will join price, service and quality as a way that procurement distinguishes between potential suppliers. And it is likely to become the most important measure because consumers will be using carbon to make their judgements about which brands they support. Printers will be expected to do their part.
Printers will find out that carbon counts
The world’s diplomats in Glasgow are hammering out the fine print in negotiations to slow down or halt climate change and the untold consequences that will surely follow failure. The impact of the printing industry is unlikely to be high in their considerations. Any direct impacts on the print industry will follow as legislation designed to implement any agreements is drawn up and passed by national governments. It will be law to enshrine what is already happening – carbon measurement and carbon reporting are coming. ROCE is about to become less Return on Capital Employed and more Return on Carbon Emissions.
This goes well beyond offsetting the carbon element in paper, well beyond operation of an environmental management system recognised by ISO14001. Many of the publishers, brands and agencies that use print will have taken action to reduce their Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, those that relate to their buildings and direct activities. They are now turning to reductions in Scope 3, the emissions generated along the supply chain. And that does involve print. In order to satisfy these demands, printers will need to answer questions on the carbon elements in production and from their supply chain in turn.
This will logically lead to a carbon number for every printed book, carton, brochure and leaflet that is printed. Forward thinking printers will already be gathering the data that is needed to make that calculation. Because it is going to be required to answer questions from major brands. Carbon will join price, service and quality as a way that procurement distinguishes between potential suppliers. And it is likely to become the most important measure because consumers will be using carbon to make their judgements about which brands they support. Printers will be expected to do their part.
Gareth Ward
Explore more...