The EU's Green Deal is a hot topic, and rightly so. According to a survey by Deloitte, up to 94 % consumers consider it the responsibility of brands to create products that are environmentally friendly, so it was only a matter of time before environmental initiatives made their way into legislation. The EU Green Deal, adopted in 2020, aims to make Europe the first "climate neutral" continent by 2050. This document includes various strategies, including reducing emissions by 55 % by 2030, with a planned reduction of 90 % by 2040.

The Green Deal is based on five main pillars that guide its implementation: climate action, circular economy, protection of biodiversity, fight against pollution and sustainable food systems. Together, these pillars shape a sustainable and green future for the EU.

In the following text, we will focus on the second pillar - the circular economy, because it is a key area of activity for Smurfit Westrock. We will look at the issues of waste, recycling, sustainable production and efficient use of resources.

Packaging and waste regulation framework

The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) belongs to the circular economy and its main objective is to promote sustainability through the use of renewable resources, reuse and recycling, while minimizing the negative impact on the environment.

PPWR covers the entire life cycle of packaging and aims to reduce packaging waste and limit certain types of packaging. For example, from January 1, 2030, specific single-use plastic packaging will be banned. This approach is important because Europeans currently produce almost 190 kg of packaging waste per capita per year. PPWR aims to minimize waste and support the creation of a sustainable environment, which are key aspects of the Green Deal.

The EU Green Deal and its impact on the world of packaging

With packaging waste increasing by 20 % in the last ten years, it is understandable that the EU Green Deal focuses on packaging and the need for greener materials and approaches.

– Climate neutrality of packaging: All packaging must be climate neutral, meaning that carbon emissions must be balanced by removing the same amount from the atmosphere to achieve a net zero carbon footprint.

– Sustainable packaging: When packaging reaches its reuse limit, it must be biodegradable and able to disappear in the environment without negative impacts.

– Extended producer responsibility: the EU places greater responsibility on businesses for the entire life cycle of their packaging, from production to recycling and disposal.

– No pollution and export ban: Legislation prohibits the production of polluting packaging waste and the export of such materials outside the EU.

Consequences of non-compliance

Businesses that fail to comply with packaging regulations are at risk, including product recalls. These steps are not only costly but also damaging to brand reputation and consumer trust.

In addition, brands that do not meet the requirements may be banned from selling products in the EU. Packaging restrictions can lead to lost revenue and a shrinking market.

Nowadays, sustainability is an expectation of consumers, and businesses that do not consider the protection of the planet can experience negative publicity and lose competitiveness.

New trend: biodegradable packaging

There are several steps businesses can take to prepare for packaging changes:

– Integrating recycled materials into packaging to reduce the demand for new raw materials.

– Replacing packaging that does not comply with the Green Deal with more sustainable alternatives.

– Using biodegradable packaging that decomposes without leaving traces in case of pollution.

– Choosing recyclable packaging that is easy for consumers to recycle.

Advantages of ecological packaging

The EU Green Deal was designed to protect the environment. By reducing packaging waste and supporting ecological materials, it is possible to protect natural resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that affect climate change. The transition to ecological packaging also supports innovation.

Brands that invest in sustainable packaging solutions can gain a competitive advantage and appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. Up to 75 % consumers prefer brands with green products and 49 % are willing to pay more for sustainable packaging and delivery (Deloitte). By adapting green solutions, brands can strengthen their image, gain customer trust and meet their expectations. (Co2AI)

A carbon neutral activity is one that has a zero carbon footprint.

A carbon "footprint" is a way of describing how much greenhouse gas has been added to the atmosphere as a result of some activity, measured as an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide (CO ₂ e). For example, the carbon footprint of someone who drives a petrol car to work will be greater than someone who uses a bus to travel the same distance, because the car driver is responsible for more CO emissions ₂ e as someone who commutes by bus.

A carbon neutral activity is one that has a zero carbon footprint. Some activities that produce a lot of greenhouse gases are sometimes combined with other activities that reduce the level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as converting land to grow trees. This is known as carbon offsetting and is one way that activities or products can be presented as 'carbon neutral'.

In some cases, the carbon footprint of an activity includes all emissions produced during its life cycle. This is known as life cycle analysis. (Co2AI)

From the UEFA European Football Championships to Wimbledon and the Paris Olympics, an exciting summer of sport is underway. MD Sylvain Fillipi of Envision Racing explores how sports teams can use the spotlight to promote environmental sustainability. Unfortunately, the climate crisis is unlikely to be part of the mainstream conversation around any of this summer's sporting events. And yet, on a burning planet, shouldn't all major sporting events, teams and stars use their profile to incite public action to address an emergency that threatens their very existence? (More on edie.net)

Carbon sequestration is a key component of many environmental goals. Plants do not sequester carbon for as long as previously thought, how might this affect our strategies to achieve net zero goals? Much of our carbon sequestration strategies have relied on uptake by vegetation, but a recent study has shown that carbon is not stored in plants for as long as previously thought. This highlights the importance of considering a diverse range of sequestration strategies and emissions reduction efforts in the first place to contribute to net zero targets. (Mazz Cummings, more at yourweather.co.uk)

In 2019, EU leaders approved the goal of achieving a climate-neutral EU by 2050. This follows on from the commitments the EU and its member states made when signing the Paris Agreement in 2015.

What does climate neutrality mean and how will the EU achieve this goal while promoting the well-being of its citizens? Here are five facts you need to know about the EU's climate ambitions.  When we talk about fighting climate change, we always talk about reducing greenhouse gas emissions. But it's not just about that. 

Becoming "climate neutral" means reducing greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible, but it also means offsetting any remaining emissions. In this way, a balance of net zero emissions can be achieved. A balance of net zero emissions is achieved when the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere is neutralized. This can be achieved through carbon sequestration, i.e. removing carbon from the atmosphere, or through compensatory measures, which usually include support for climate-focused projects.  (More on consilium.europa.eu)

Climate change is intensifying and its real costs are accelerating. A historically high acceleration of climate disruption in 2023 meant global warming reached 1.48°C above pre-industrial levels for the first time, and ocean temperatures and Antarctic ice loss far exceeded records. It is clearer than ever that achieving a stable climate and protecting a livable planet for current and future generations means sharply and rapidly reducing global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and preparing for the future consequences of climate change ( 1 ). This path can and must go hand in hand with shaping a prosperous and fair society and an EU industry and agriculture that is agile and strong in a globally competitive and increasingly sustainable economy that benefits all people and is in line with the 20 principles. European Pillar of Social Rights and its Action Plan.  

The outcome of COP28 in Dubai and the first global assessment of climate action show that the rest of the world is also rapidly moving on this path. The EU, which has enshrined climate neutrality in law by 2050, is leading the fight against climate change and will remain so.

The vision of Europe at the end of the next decade is comprehensive: it should remain a major destination for investment opportunities that will bring stable quality jobs for the future with a strong industrial ecosystem. Europe should lead in the development of future cleantech markets, where all major countries and businesses are trying to take advantage of market opportunities. Becoming a continent with clean, low-carbon, affordable energy and sustainable food and materials will make it resilient to future crises like the ones currently caused by fossil fuel cuts. By remaining a global leader and trusted partner in the fight against climate change, Europe will simultaneously strengthen its open strategic autonomy and diversify its sustainable global value chains to master its own destiny in a volatile world. (More on eur-lex.europa.eu)

On 27 May, a law called the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) was passed, which is part of the Green Deal industrial plan. This law aims to increase the EU's production capacity for the technologies needed to achieve climate neutrality. These are technologies such as solar panels, wind turbines, heat pumps, batteries, electrolyzers and nuclear technologies, including key components such as photovoltaic cells and wind turbine blades.

The NZIA aims for the EU to cover at least 40 % of its annual needs in the area of introducing strategic technologies with a zero carbon footprint by 2030. This target value is intended to provide predictability, certainty and long-term signals for producers and investors, which will allow monitoring the progress of achieving the targets. The law also sets a target of an annual injection capacity of 50 million tonnes of CO2 into geological storage in the EU by 2030, which will support carbon capture and storage and increase the availability of CO2 storage in Europe.

The new legislation improves the conditions for investments in technologies with a zero carbon footprint by simplifying and speeding up permitting processes, reducing administrative burdens and facilitating access to markets. Public authorities will have to take into account criteria such as sustainability and resilience in clean technology projects and auctions for the deployment of renewable energy.

The law also includes measures to support education, training and innovation through the establishment of Net-Zero Industry Academies. Regulatory sandboxes will be created to allow for flexible regulatory conditions to test innovative technologies with a zero carbon footprint. The Net-Zero Europe platform will serve as a central coordination center where the Commission and EU countries can discuss, exchange information and receive input from stakeholders. (More on ec.europa.eu)

Carbon neutrality, a term increasingly at the center of climate change and sustainability debates, refers to a state in which the amount of carbon emitted is balanced (viac…)

EU regions and cities are urging the European Union to implement ambitious Green Deal policies to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, create prosperous economies and ensure prosperity within planetary boundaries, leaving no one and no place behind. A report Regions and cities shape the European Green Deal 2.0 , which outlines 29 key recommendations for the next EU legislative mandate, was presented by the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) on May 29 in the presence of the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Maroš Šefčovič. (More on cor.europa.eu)

Last month, G7 leaders declared their commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050 at the latest. Closer to home, the Albanian government recently introduced legislation to establish a net-zero economy office, promising to catalyze investment in clean energy technologies in an effort to reach net-zero. Commitments to reach net-zero emissions in the coming decades have multiplied since the 2021 United Nations climate summit in Glasgow, when governments declared their commitments to meet the Paris Agreement's goal of keeping global warming below 1.5°C. But what exactly is "net zero" and where did the concept come from? (more on co2news.sk)

To avoid the worst consequences of climate change, the world must balance carbon emissions with carbon stocks by 2050. But even if we reach the goal, a lot depends on how much we release in the meantime. Ten years ago, the term "net zero" was arcane jargon. Today, it is a key target in the fight against climate change and a well-known point of discussion around the world.

The concept is simple. In words Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) : "Net zero emissions of carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) are achieved when anthropogenic CO2 emissions are globally balanced by anthropogenic CO removal ₂ during a certain period. (James Dinneen, more at newscientist.com)

The urgency and scale of the climate crisis, combined with the need for a swift and effective global response, have put reducing greenhouse gas emissions firmly at the top of the agenda for governments, businesses and societies. There is general agreement that large-scale, globally coordinated action is needed to achieve net zero goals and meet broader climate and sustainability commitments.

However, the sheer complexity and scale of the challenge ahead, along with the sheer number of stakeholders, currently means there is no consensus on how best to get there. As an integral part of the global quality infrastructure, the accreditation will be instrumental in promoting the adoption of clearer, more robust, fair and efficient zero-purity transition pathways worldwide. (Maria Varbeva-Daley, more at environmentjournal.online)

The Commission is planning a path to achieving the goal of achieving climate neutrality in the European Union by 2050. It recommends 90 % reductions in net greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 compared to 1990 levels, which is in line with the latest scientific advice and the EU's commitments under the Paris Agreement.

In order to achieve the reduction target of 90 % by 2040, the following measures will be necessary:

• fully implement existing EU laws to reduce emissions by at least 55 % by 2030
• decarbonize the industry by relying on existing strengths such as wind power, hydropower and electrolyzers. To step up this action, the Commission has put forward new measures to manage carbon emissions in industry in the EU, which will invest in technologies that can capture, store and reuse carbon.
• increase domestic production in growing sectors such as batteries, electric vehicles, heat pumps, solar cells and others
• preserve justice, solidarity and social policies at the heart of the transition and help vulnerable citizens, regions, businesses and workers through instruments such as the Social Climate Fund and the Just Transition Fund
• lead open dialogue with all stakeholders, including farmers, businesses, social partners and citizens

(More on commission.europa.eu)

Cities' demand for energy, resources and land will grow globally in the coming decades as urban populations continue to grow rapidly, yet only a fraction of the world's cities have developed targets and strategies for moving to net zero emissions.

That's the stark warning in a major new report produced by the International Energy Agency (IEA) for the G7, which says reducing urban emissions is "essential" for the world to meet its energy and climate targets. He adds that digital solutions that can manage energy consumption patterns and optimize urban infrastructure can play a significant role in reducing emissions from cities. (Michael Holder, more at businessgreen.com)

Green City Times has produced a guide to the climate change mitigation policies and strategies that must be implemented to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions globally. In order to take effective climate action, all nations, states and countries around the world must meet the climate targets set by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions were first outlined in the Paris Climate Agreement. The GHG reduction targets have since become more ambitious, so that they now include net zero and carbon neutrality targets. (More on greencitytimes.com)

Recently received revision  guidelines on the energy efficiency of buildings  supports the EU's wider effort to achieve a carbon-neutral economy while improving people's quality of life, reducing household and business energy bills, strengthening the building ecosystem and contributing to Europe's energy independence. in accordance with the REPowerEU plan. The Directive specifically targets the worst performing buildings and households, which are exposed to energy poverty and at risk of energy prices. (More at energy.ec.europa.eu)

As the world struggles to combat climate change, scientists agree that protecting what remains of Earth's vast rainforests is a key priority. When forests are lost, less carbon can be absorbed from the atmosphere. And when trees are burned to clear land for agriculture, the release of huge amounts of CO2 further accelerates global warming.

The importance of forests in the "compensation" of greenhouse gas emissions has long been recognized. Many forest landowners, including a growing number of national governments, offer carbon credits as compensation for forest conservation and emission avoidance. (News Desk., more at thenews.com)

Researchers successfully converted CO ₂  to methanol by shining sunlight on individual copper atoms deposited on a light-activated material, a discovery that paves the way for the creation of new green fuels.

An international team of researchers from the University of Nottingham's School of Chemistry, the University of Birmingham, the University of Queensland and the University of Ulm designed a material made of copper anchored on nanocrystalline carbon nitride. Copper atoms are embedded in a nanocrystalline structure that allows electrons to pass from carbon nitride to CO ₂ , which is a necessary step in the production of methanol from CO ₂  under the influence of sunlight. The research was published in the journal Sustainable Energy & Fuels  Journal of the Royal Society of Chemistry. (UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM, more at eurekalert.org)