Sappi

Sappi's Climate Commitments and Emissions Overview

Sappi, a paper and paper products company headquartered in South Africa (ZA), is actively addressing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and climate impact. The company has established science-based targets and is working towards reducing its carbon footprint across its operations.

Emissions Data (Latest Available: 2025)

For the reporting year 2025, Sappi reported total GHG emissions of approximately 9.31 billion kg CO2e. This figure encompasses Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions.

• Scope 1 emissions totalled approximately 3.17 billion kg CO2e.
• Scope 2 emissions (market-based) were approximately 742.9 million kg CO2e, with location-based emissions at approximately 1.23 billion kg CO2e.
• Scope 3 emissions amounted to approximately 4.48 billion kg CO2e. Key contributors to Scope 3 emissions include purchased goods and services (approximately 2.21 billion kg CO2e) and upstream transportation and distribution (approximately 1.40 billion kg CO2e).

In the previous year, 2024, Sappi's total GHG emissions were approximately 10.28 billion kg CO2e. Scope 1 emissions were around 3.20 billion kg CO2e, Scope 2 emissions (market-based) were approximately 924.18 million kg CO2e, and Scope 3 emissions were approximately 3.72 billion kg CO2e.

For 2023, total emissions stood at approximately 11.51 billion kg CO2e. This included Scope 1 emissions of about 3.51 billion kg CO2e, Scope 2 emissions (market-based) of approximately 1.08 billion kg CO2e, and Scope 3 emissions of around 3.43 billion kg CO2e.

Climate Commitments and Reduction Targets

Sappi has set ambitious climate goals, aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

• Near-term Targets: Sappi commits to reducing its Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 41.5% per ton of product by 2030, using 2019 as the base year. This target is recognised by the SBTi as consistent with reductions needed to keep warming to well-below 2°C. The company also aims to reduce specific GHG emissions (Scope 1 + 2) by 18% by 2025, against the same 2019 base year. Some reports indicate an aim to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions to near zero by 2025, and a 30% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions from a 2020 baseline by 2030.
• Long-term Goals: Sappi is working towards a general goal of achieving net-zero GHG emissions by 2050.

In 2024, Scope 1 emissions were reported to have reduced by 27% since 2019, and Scope 2 emissions by 40% since 2019. A notable achievement is the reduction of Scope 1 emission intensity at the Kirkniemi Mill by 85% from the 2019 baseline, primarily due to the conversion of its coal-fired boiler to biomass.

Sappi also engages with its supply chain, committing to have 44% of its suppliers by spend set their own science-based targets by 2026.