Packaging company Topa reduces CO2 emissions last year by 27%

Topa is going for less. In 2022, right on its 100th anniversary, the packaging company could crown itself a "climate neutral company*" for the first time. Topa offset its CO2 emissions with the 'Wind Energy Northeast Brazil' climate project. This year the trading operations Topa Packaging, Topa Packaging and Topa Thermal were certified again. Now the decision has been made to offset emissions by supporting a windmill project in Chile. When the windmills are built, this project will save some 197,420 tons of CO2 emissions per year. CEO Hein Stevens: "Our ambition is to become ever greener. Our goal for 2022 was a reduction of 15%. But we all managed to reduce our emissions by over 27% and of course we are very proud of that."

Green approach yields tons

The packaging company has reduced emissions from 1,660 tons of CO2 to 1,212 tons of CO2. Topa's green approach thus yields a whopping 448 tons of CO2 reduction. Hein Stevens: "On heating, for example, we saved 75 tons through better insulation and more conscious heating. On waste 2 tons by recycling more efficiently. On electricity, no less than 200 tons by switching to green electricity from Dutch windmills. Only the CO2 emissions of our vehicle fleet increased by 9 tons, because we drove many more kilometers than in corona time. Our hybrid and electric cars did not offset this. Here we may still be able to make an impact by charging exclusively with green electricity." 

Target: another 10% reduction in emissions by 2023 

Several European countries have in recent years worked on concrete targets to further reduce CO2 emissions to better meet the ambitious goal of the Paris Climate Agreement. And so there is also the Dutch Climate Agreement with a reduction target of 49% in 2030 compared to 1990 emissions. Topa's goal is to be well ahead of this. The targets can be adjusted downward each year, if feasible. 

Target: another 10% reduction in emissions by 2023

In recent years, several European countries have worked on concrete targets to further reduce CO2 emissions in order to better meet the ambitious goal of the Paris Climate Agreement. There is also the Dutch Climate Agreement with a reduction target of 49% in 2030 compared to 1990 emissions. Topa's goal is to be well ahead of this. The targets can be adjusted downwards each year if this is feasible.

Downward revision will therefore be done in 2023: HeinStevens:"Our long-term plan is to achieve a total of 25% reduction by 2023 compared to 2021, but given the outcome of the first year, this is already out of date. Therefore, we are raising the bar a little higher to achieve our CO2 emissions even further: 10% reduction by 2023 will be the starting point."

The green steps Topa still wants to take

In 2023, the packaging company will be using green power for the first time all year. Topa wants to be even more conscious about heating. It will also work on a mobility plan for the future. "We are starting and optimizing all kinds of small and large sustainable initiatives. For example, we are going to further roll out the waste plan. We are looking at packaging use in the medical sector.And if the drive of air conditioners or air conditioning rooms needs to be replaced, we will replace the refrigerants with an environmentally friendly alternative." concludes the CEO.