Ds Smith, officially known as DS Smith Plc, is a leading provider of sustainable packaging solutions headquartered in Great Britain. Founded in 1940, the company has evolved significantly, establishing a strong presence across Europe and North America. Operating primarily in the packaging industry, Ds Smith focuses on innovative corrugated packaging, paper products, and recycling services. Renowned for its commitment to sustainability, Ds Smith offers unique, eco-friendly packaging solutions that cater to various sectors, including consumer goods, e-commerce, and industrial markets. The company has achieved notable milestones, such as being a key player in the circular economy, which enhances its market position. With a dedication to reducing environmental impact, Ds Smith continues to set industry standards, making it a trusted partner for businesses seeking sustainable packaging alternatives.
How does Ds Smith's carbon action stack up? DitchCarbon scores companies based on their carbon action and commitment to reducing emissions. Read about our methodology to learn more.
Mean score of companies in the Paper Products industry. Comparing a company's score to the industry average can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
Ds Smith's score of 77 is higher than 93% of the industry. This can give you a sense of how well the company is doing compared to its peers.
In 2025, DS Smith reported total carbon emissions of approximately 6,828,801,000 kg CO2e, with Scope 1 emissions at about 1,399,949,000 kg CO2e, Scope 2 emissions at approximately 840,913,000 kg CO2e, and Scope 3 emissions reaching about 4,587,940,000 kg CO2e. This represents a slight decrease from 2024, where total emissions were about 6,985,270,000 kg CO2e, with Scope 1 at approximately 1,340,272,000 kg CO2e, Scope 2 at about 944,921,000 kg CO2e, and Scope 3 at around 4,700,076,000 kg CO2e. DS Smith has set ambitious climate commitments, aiming for a 46% reduction in absolute Scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions by 2030, compared to a 2019 baseline. They also plan to achieve Net Zero GHG emissions by 2050. Specific targets include a 30% reduction in CO2e emissions per tonne of production by 2030 against a 2015 baseline. These targets are aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and are cascaded from their parent company, DS Smith Plc. The company is actively working to support its suppliers in setting their own science-based targets, with a goal that 76% of suppliers by emissions will have such targets by 2027. DS Smith's commitment to sustainability reflects its strategy to decarbonise its operations and contribute to global climate goals.
Access structured emissions data, company-specific emission factors, and source documents
| 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 1,183,000,000  | 0,000,000,000  | 0,000,000,000  | 0,000,000,000  | 0,000,000,000  | 0,000,000,000  | 0,000,000,000  | 0,000,000,000  | -  | -  | 0,000,000,000  | 0,000,000,000  | 0,000,000,000  | 
| Scope 2 | 573,000,000  | 000,000,000  | 000,000,000  | 000,000,000  | 000,000,000  | 000,000,000  | 000,000,000  | 000,000,000  | -  | -  | 000,000,000  | 000,000,000  | 000,000,000  | 
| Scope 3 | -  | -  | -  | -  | -  | -  | 0,000,000,000  | 0,000,000,000  | 0,000,000,000  | 0,000,000,000  | 0,000,000,000  | 0,000,000,000  | 0,000,000,000  | 
Ds Smith's Scope 3 emissions, which decreased by 2% last year and increased by approximately 4% since 2019, demonstrating supply chain emissions tracking. Most of their carbon footprint comes from suppliers and value chain emissions, with Scope 3 emissions accounting for 67% of total emissions under the GHG Protocol, with "End-of-Life Treatment of Sold Products" being the largest emissions source at 14% of Scope 3 emissions.
Climate goals typically focus on 2030 interim targets and 2050 net-zero commitments, aligned with global frameworks like the Paris Agreement and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to ensure alignment with global climate goals.
Ds Smith has established climate goals through participation in recognized frameworks and target-setting initiatives. Companies often set interim 2030 targets and long-term 2050 net-zero goals to demonstrate measurable progress toward decarbonization.
Common questions about Ds Smith's sustainability data and climate commitments