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Forward to a carbon neutral future - Paper Technology International 2023 - Paper Technology International 2023 - Flipbook - Page 113

Forward to a carbon neutral future - Paper Technology International 2023

PAPERTECHNOLOGYINTERNATIONAL
FForward to a carbon neutral future
Vesa Puoskari, Valmet
INTRODUCTION:
At Valmet we believe technology plays a key role in the transition to the carbon neutral economy. Our aim is to enable 100
percent carbon neutral production for our customers and to improve the energy efficiency of our current offering by 20 percent by 2030.
Already today we offer an extensive range of solutions for reducing raw material, energy, water and chemical consumption.
The target of achieving a carbon neutral economy is
now higher on the agenda than ever for many companies.
Laura Puustjärvi, Head of Sustainability at Valmet, opens up
the reasons for the changes in the markets.
“The Paris Climate Agreement was a game changer.
It has pushed signatory countries to mitigate climate change
and pursue significant emission reductions and carbon
neutrality. Thanks to the agreement, many governments have
set national targets to phase out fossil fuels.”
The EU has set a binding target of achieving climate
neutrality by 2050 as part of the European Green Deal. The
goal requires current greenhouse gas emissions to fall in the
coming years. Additionally, the EU has raised its 2030 climate
ambition to cut emissions in the economy by an average of at
least 55 percent. In Europe, the pulp and paper industry has
raised its ambition, at up to 61 percent by 2030 compared to
Laura Puustjärvi, Head of Sustainability at Valmet.
2005.
The push for carbon neutral production is driven by the
expectations of consumers, regulators, and the financial sector alike.
While Europe is leading the way, other continents are embracing a
“The Paris Climate Agreement was a game
similar trend.
changer, thanks to the agreement, many
“The EU is united in addressing climate change and
achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. China aims to achieve carbon
governments have set national targets to
neutrality by 2060. They have announced that CO2 emissions will
phase out fossil fuels.”
peak before 2030, after which they will start to decline gradually,”
says Puustjärvi.
“The financial sector is also accelerating the transformation
through green finance instruments across all industries. The EU is
“Our climate program is a continuation of our systematic
dedicating 30 percent of its post-Covid recovery budget to green
approach to fostering sustainability in our value chain. For example,
funding and technologies,” she says.
we’ve been improving energy efficiency – both our own and that of
our customers – for a long time. Our approach creates cost savings
Valmet has set CO2 reduction targets and concrete actions for
and decreases emissions, which is a win-win situation for everyone,”
the entire value chain
Puustjärvi says.
In 2021, Valmet launched its ambitious climate program –
The reduction of CO2 emissions goes hand in hand with
Forward to a carbon neutral future – which sets targets for its value
the energy market transformation. Alongside continuous energy
chain, including the supply chain, Valmet’s own operations and the
use phase of technologies. Valmet aims for an 80 percent cut in CO2 efficiency improvements through digitalization and service upgrades,
key decarbonizing actions include the replacement of fossil fuels
emissions in its own operations and 20 percent in the supply chain
with renewables and the introduction of CO2 -free electricity and
by 2030. The baseline year for these targets is 2019.
district
heat when available.
In the use of its technologies, Valmet targets an achievement
“We’re among the few players in the market to take a
of a further cut of 20 percent in energy consumption compared to
comprehensive
value chain approach to CO2 emission reduction.
the current technology portfolio. The ultimate goal is to enable 100
Not
only
do
we
offer
our customers solutions for carbon neutral
percent carbon neutral pulp and paper processes by 2030. Valmet is
production
–
we
also
support and cooperate closely with our
already providing its customers today with energy solutions and pulp
suppliers
in
finding
new
ways to decrease emissions across the
technologies that enable carbon neutral energy production using
value
chain,”
she
adds.
biomass.
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