Mondi Group, Vienna, Austria, has joined the ranks of global climate leaders by signing up to Climate Savers, WWF’s climate leadership program for businesses. The packaging and paper group commits to reduce its specific production-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 0.25 metric tons of CO2e per ton of production by 2050. This commitment and others made as part of its participation in the flagship program are in line with climate science targets required to limit global temperature rise to under 2°C.  

Mondi’s participation in Climate Savers is an extension of a strategic global partnership between Mondi and WWF that started in 2014. The partnership focuses on promoting environmental stewardship in the packaging and paper sector. In joining Climate Savers, Mondi commits to working to further reduce GHG emissions across its entire value chain and to taking actions to positively influence the packaging and paper industry as well as policy makers. Climate Savers members aim to transform businesses into low-carbon economy leaders.

Peter Oswald, CEO, Mondi Group, said that "as a global player in the packaging and paper industry, we are part of an energy intensive sector. We’ve managed to reduce our specific CO2 emissions by 38% since 2004 by focusing on operational efficiency and energy efficiency. We join the WWF Climate Savers program to reinforce our long-standing commitment to climate change mitigation and to demonstrate to the rest of our industry that using energy efficiently is not only necessary for the environment, but also good for business. We are proud to confirm our commitment to the science-based target needed to keep global warming well below 2°C for our production-related emissions."

According to Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, leader of WWF’s global Climate & Energy Practice, "climate change is one of the biggest threats of our future, with fundamental impacts on places, species, and people everywhere. To change things for the better, we need to start acting now. We welcome Mondi’s efforts toward helping build a more sustainable business world and are happy to have them join the Climate Savers program." 

To achieve its climate goals, Mondi has developed an ambitious program to improve energy efficiency, replace fossil fuels with renewable energy, sustainably manage its forests and associated ecosystems, and source its raw materials responsibly. Mondi is also active in developing packaging and paper products that help its customers and consumers reduce their own carbon footprints. 

Mondi’s Climate Savers agreement will run at least until the end of 2020, concurrent with phase two of its global partnership with WWF.

Mondi’s Climate Savers commitments and climate targets include: 

• Reduce scope 1 and 2 emissions.* Mondi commits to reduce production-related, absolute scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in line with evidence-based climate science targets to keep global warming below two degrees. This requires a reduction of specific production-related GHG emissions to 0.25 metric tons of CO2e per metric ton of saleable production by 2050. 
• Reduce scope 3 emissions.* Mondi commits to improve data collection for its indirect GHG emissions along the value chain (Scope 3 emissions) and to set ambitious reduction targets in the field of its supply chain and transport of raw materials and products. 
• Increase renewable energy. Mondi will investigate opportunities to increase renewable energy in a sustainable way and implement them where feasible. 
• Be an agent of change. Mondi will work actively to positively influence the paper and packaging industry to join the movement and commit to keeping their production-related greenhouse gas emissions in line with the international target to stay well below 2°C temperature increase.

*Scope 1 emissions are direct GHG emissions from sources owned or controlled by an organization. Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from the consumption of purchased electricity, heat, or steam. Scope 3 emissions are other indirect emissions, such as those produced through extraction and production of purchased materials and fuels, or through outsourced, transport-related activities. 

WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. The Climate & Energy Practice is WWF’s global program addressing climate change. It includes Climate Savers, aimed at engaging the private sector nationally and internationally on implementing low carbon, climate resilient development. More information about WWF’s Climate Savers Program  is available online. 

WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with more than 5 million supporters and a global network active in 100-plus countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. 

Mondi is a global producer of packaging and paper, employing around 26,000 people in more than 30 countries. We are fully integrated across the packaging and paper value chain - from managing forests and producing pulp, paper, and plastic films, to developing and manufacturing effective industrial and consumer packaging solutions. The company has clearly defined sustainability commitments across 10 action areas. Its major operations are in central Europe, Russia, North America, and South Africa. In 2017, Mondi had revenues of EUR 7.1 billion and a return on capital employed of 19.7%. More information is accessible on the Mondi web site.