Packaging Giant Cuts Emissions 50% by 2030

A major packaging company is proving that big businesses can tackle climate change without sacrificing success.

Huhtamaki, a Finnish company that makes food containers and packaging for customers worldwide, just earned approval from the Science Based Targets initiative for its ambitious climate plan. The company pledged to cut its direct emissions by over 50% and supply chain emissions by 25% by 2030, compared to 2022 levels.

These aren't just empty promises. The targets align with the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, and scientists at SBTi reviewed and validated them as achievable and meaningful.

The company plans to reach these goals through practical changes: replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy, working with suppliers who produce fewer emissions, and using more recycled materials in their products. They're also improving factory efficiency, which cuts both emissions and costs.

CEO Ralf Wunderlich emphasized that sustainability drives profit, not the other way around. "Sustainability doesn't just protect the planet, it drives long-term profitability," he said.

Huhtamaki isn't stopping at 2030. The company committed to setting long-term targets that would get them to net-zero emissions by 2050, ensuring their progress continues for decades.

The Ripple Effect

When a company with 18,000 employees across 36 countries makes this kind of commitment, the impact spreads far beyond their own operations. Huhtamaki's suppliers will need to clean up their practices to keep doing business, creating a chain reaction of emissions reductions across entire industries.

The company's customers, including food and beverage brands, benefit too. They can now meet their own sustainability goals by choosing packaging from a verified low-emissions supplier.

Huhtamaki also updated targets for protecting forests, committing to zero deforestation in their supply chains by the end of this year. Their focus extends to designing packaging that can be recycled, composted, or reused, tackling waste alongside emissions.

With over 100 years in business and 4.1 billion euros in revenue last year, Huhtamaki proves that established companies can transform without losing their competitive edge.

Real climate action from big business is happening right now.