Smurfit Kappa joins UN Global Compact water mandate

Smurfit Kappa upped its stakes when it comes to water sustainability on Thursday, by joining the UN Global Compact’s CEO Water Mandate.

The FTSE 100 packaging company said the mandate was designed to address the growing crisis in water and sanitation in many parts of the world by implementing a range of strategies and policies.

Through the initiative, Smurfit Kappa will be collaborating with global brands including AB InBev, Danone, Heineken and Unilever to identify, explore and solve water challenges.

Smurfit Kappa said it had long been committed to sustainable water practices, and recently reached a water quality target three years early when it reduced the chemical oxygen demand in its water discharge.

The firm also invested more than €60m in sustainable water treatment technology implementing processes that used less energy.

One such treatment transformed water pollutants into biogas, which was then reused as fuel in the company’s combined heat and power plants.

“Joining the CEO Water Mandate was the next logical step for us after reaching our latest water target at the end of last year,” said group vice-president of development Steven Stoffer.

“Water is one of Smurfit Kappa’s five key sustainability areas and we have conducted extensive research and development into returning it to nature as clean as before.

“Our goals are underpinned by the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals.”

The company said the UN Global Compact was the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative and was based on 10 principles in the areas of human rights, labour standards, the environment and anti-corruption.

Smurfit Kappa also pointed out how it was included on the FTSE4Good, Euronext Vigeo Europe 120, Ethibel and STOXX ESG Leaders Indices rating systems for sustainability achievements.