Most Of The Energy Used In Paper Production Is Renewable And Carbon Intensity Is Surprisingly Low
The European pulp and paper industry produces original biobased products using wood, a renewable material. It is also the largest single industrial user and producer of renewable energy in the EU.
The paper, pulp and print sector is one of the lowest industrial emitters of greenhouse gases, accounting for 0.8% of European emissions.[1]
The paper industry’s carbon emissions have reduced by 48% per tonne of product from 1990 to 2019.[2] The European pulp and paper industry is also the biggest single user and producer of renewable energy in Europe, with 62% of its primary energy consumption coming from renewable sources.[3]
The industry’s primary on-site energy source (not including bought-in electricity) is biomass at 55%, followed by gas at 28%. The remaining 17% are other fossil fuels and net bought electricity.[4]
The industry has consistently increased its use of biomass since 1991, rising by 83% to 754,185 tonnes in 2019.
Cepi, Key Statistics, 2020
The print and paper industry is one of the lowest industrial greenhouse gas emitters in Europe, accounting for just 0.8% of emissions. This is low compared to non-metallic mineral products industries (5.6%) and basic metal industries (4.8%).
European Environment Agency, Annual European Union Greenhouse Gas Inventory 1990-2018, 2020
Between 2010 and 2018, the European paper industry reduced its total primary energy consumption by 11.6% and it is now lower than it was at the beginning of this century. The European paper industry produces 54.3% of its electricity onsite, of which more than 96% is generated through highly efficient CHP (Combined Heat and Power) plants.[4]
The environmental impact of our personal paper consumption may not be as high as you think. In Europe, we each use an average of 119kg of paper every year.[5] This amount of paper produces 73kg of CO2[6], which is equal to driving about 600 kilometres in an average European car.[7]
By using paper from sustainably managed forests and always recycling, we really do not have to feel guilty about using this natural and renewable product.
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