UPM Communication Papers Reports 38% Reduction in Fossil CO₂ Emissions at European Mills in 2025

UPM Communication Papers has published its 2025 climate report, reporting significant progress toward its 2030 climate target, with fossil CO₂ emissions from its own operations and purchased energy at European mills reduced by 38% per tonne of paper compared with the 2023 baseline year.

The report shows that the average Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon footprint at the company’s European mills declined to 310 kilograms of CO₂ per tonne of paper in 2025, down from 490 kilograms in 2023 and 400 kilograms in 2024. The results reflect ongoing implementation of the company’s climate action roadmap.

UPM Communication Papers launched the roadmap in November 2025, setting a target to reduce fossil CO₂ emissions from its own operations and externally sourced energy at its European mills to an average of 100 kilograms or less per tonne of paper by 2030. The target represents a reduction of more than 70% from the 2023 baseline and is intended to support both the company’s climate commitments and customers’ emissions reduction efforts.

The 2025 climate report includes externally verified emissions data intended to provide transparency for customers and other stakeholders.

“When we launched our climate action roadmap last year, we set a clear direction for reducing emissions at our European mills. The new climate report shows that our actions are delivering results,” said Gunnar Eberhardt, Executive Vice President of UPM Communication Papers. He added that the emissions reductions provide customers with verified data that can be used in their own sustainability reporting.

According to the company, the reductions achieved in 2025 were driven by measures including increased use of renewable electricity, greater utilization of electric boiler capacity, improvements in energy efficiency, and enhanced transportation planning.

While UPM Blandin in the United States is not included in the European 2030 target, the mill also recorded progress in 2025, reducing its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 31% compared with 2024.

The report marks the latest update on UPM Communication Papers’ efforts to reduce operational emissions as it works toward its 2030 climate objective.