The Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI), represented by Marco Mensink, explained their contribution to greening the European print industry. He quoted the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 4^th Assessment Report, stating that “a sustainable forest management strategy aimed at maintaining or increasing forest carbon stocks, while producing an annual sustained yield of timber, fibre or energy from the forest, will generate the largest sustained mitigation benefit” and outlined the role of CEPI members in recycling and the sustainable use of paper in the fight against illegal logging, in improving resource efficiency and playing leading roles in use of renewable energy and CHP (Combined Heat & Power). The audience were also alerted to the issue of water footprinting (fairly new to our industry, but already a concern to the food and drink industry).

Mr. Mensink reported on progress in developing a carbon footprint framework, in line with the new PAS 2050: Specification for the measurement of the embodied greenhouse gas emissions in products and services published last year. This is to enable printers to use figures specific to the actual paper they are printing on when calculating the carbon footprint of, for example, a particular brochure for a customer. Currently much of the information is generic. CEPI are calculating footprints, with all manufacturers using a common methodology, although some may need to use generic data. With 27 different electricity generators, the measurements are complex.

In all, the seminar presented a consistent picture of the industry across the continents becoming actively involved in managing its impacts, taking advantage of the opportunities for environmental improvement offered by new technologies, having to find its way through quite complex webs of legislation that, although varying in different locations, was directed at achieving similar results. Progress also varied, and highlighted the benefits of the mutual collaboration requested by speakers.