A Decade of Decadence? Since EcoPrint 2012, what has changed, and what has not?

EcoPrint 2012 was the first sustainable print event

Since 2012 and the first time EcoPrint took place, we have discovered that many things have changed with regard to the print industry and sustainability. And some things have not. Read on for our opinion.

What has changed?

There is a growing sense of urgency! And for good reason!

Scope 3 is a growing factor in defining the sustainable profile of businesses in the supply chains of multiple industries. And print is no exception. Failure to align will mean you get wiped off the supplier list. Is this not a stark enough call to action then we do not know what is!

In the UK alone, Aldi, Lidl, the Co-op, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose and Marks & Spencer (M&S) have signed on to the new ‘Retailer Net-Zero Collaborative Action Plan’ forging a fresh collaboration to tackle Scope 3 emission. If you supply print to these retailers, or to any FMCG packaging, you will need to get your act together!

More generally, since 2012, the language of sustainability has changed. Net Zero is now a well-known phrase and set target dates are widespread. This is leading brands, retailers and businesses across the supply chain to embrace best practices with sustainability. There is a greater urgency to make a difference.

The Paris agreement of 2015 to limit temperature rises to 1.5 degrees C is pivotal in this regard, as it triggers brands and regulators into action.

David Attenborough's films have moved people to change. His 'Life on this Planet' is billed as his witness statement and is a disturbing analysis of the dramatic changes to the planet in his 93-year life spent documenting the natural world. The dramatic loss of both habitat and biodiversity is undeniable and the Holocene has changed. But as with nature’s recovery from the Chernobyl disaster, this damage can be reversed. There is still hope.

In Green Swans, John Elkington coined the phrase the triple bottom line (People Planet Profit) and ‘Regenerative Capitalism’. There is an opportunity to develop products, ideas and innovations that enable regeneration.

Over the decade consumer attitudes have irrevocably changed. Greta Thunberg has given youth a voice and challenged the establishment to take action and a younger generation of print leaders has entered the market. Sustainability, for them, is a no-brainer. It is seen as obvious to them that Climate change is a problem that must be addressed now!

Also, in the past decade, it has become more evident that climate change is impacting the developed world, and is no longer only a problem affecting the developing world.

As a result, climate change deniers are losing their voice and credibility. Their intransigence may remain but their voice has retreated into the background.

There are more and more examples of sustainable innovation coming from technology companies to serve a changing demand and to help solve the problem of climate. Whether this is water-based inks, latex inks, UV curing technology, recycling programmes, new MIS software that enables optimisation and an array of clever innovative materials such as PVC-free Kavalan, Composite and recyclable board such as Xanita, the innovative Sign Again material from Probo and Sihl’s Artysio. Additionally, companies such as CarbonQuota now exist to help measure the carbon output of businesses which is vital in understanding how to improve.

Back in 2012, many businesses were manipulating their story into sounding more sustainable or more ‘planet friendly’. In 2023 there is more authenticity, more demand for transparency and consequently more action. Sustainability is now a strategic imperative, and not merely a tactically convenient sales argument.

But much action is still needed. If all businesses embraced sustainability on a strategic level and accepted the journey by changing for good, and not just for financial gain, then the impact would be huge.

What has not changed?

The print industry is not doing enough. This is not to suggest that we are worse than other industries, but we are still not doing enough.

The print industry remains uncoordinated when it comes to sustainability. There are too many silos. Not enough collaboration, not enough sharing, and not enough unity with leadership.

The competitive nature of the industry does not always lend itself well to collaboration. This kind of ‘tetchiness’ needs to be put to one side when it comes to the environment.

While there are some outstanding leaders, and much to be celebrated, overall the print industry is still too lethargic, and in some cases plainly indifferent.

There is little or no help for print service providers. Sustainability is a confusing and complex landscape. While there may be a path forward for those that commit, it could be made far easier. EcoPrint, we hope, will help in this regard.

There is another new word in the sustainable lexicon entitled ‘green hushing'. Frightened executives working for risk-averse corporations would rather avoid the topic of sustainability for fear of either saying the wrong thing because they do not have a sustainable story, or worse still, they do not truly believe in it.

Let's assume that we all accept that sustainability is incredibly important and in order to reach the Paris UN's goals to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees C, then we have to take action. Brands at the top of the supply chain have decided to target Net Zero.

Therefore, any business that serves a large brand must align. Scope 3 is very important. If you do not align, you risk leaving these brands' supply chains whether you like it or not.

Why is Scope 3 so important?

Because it is estimated that 70% of a business's carbon footprint comes from its supply chain. Therefore it is vital that a sustainable organisation sources products and services from other businesses that can provide transparent evidence of their sustainable operations.

These large brands, who are rapidly mobilising their sustainable production cultures to align with the UN goals, will not work with businesses otherwise.

What are the different ‘scopes’?

These scopes are to do with emissions. The following text is taken from the World Economic Forum website.

Scope 1 emissions: direct emissions from owned or controlled sources.
Scope 2 emissions: indirect emissions from the generation of purchased energy.
Scope 3 emissions: all indirect emissions (not included in Scope 2) that occur in the value chain of the reporting company, including both upstream and downstream emissions.
As Scope 3 emissions usually account for more than 70 percent of a business’ carbon footprint, it is crucial that companies tackle Scope 3 emissions to meet the aims of the Paris Agreement and limit global warming to 1.5°C.
There are numerous benefits associated with measuring and reducing Scope 3 emissions. By measuring Scope 3 emissions, organisations can:

assess where the emission hotspots are in their value chain;
identify resource and energy risks in their supply chain;
identify which suppliers are leaders and which are laggards in terms of their sustainability performance;
identify energy efficiency and cost reduction opportunities in their value chain;
engage suppliers and assist them to implement sustainability initiatives;
improve the energy efficiency of their products; and
positively engage with employees to reduce emissions from business travel and employee commuting.

While companies are now recognising the importance of addressing their Scope 3 emissions, action in this area must be scaled up to reach true net zero by 2050.

What will EcoPrint be doing to help?

This event is designed to give delegates the opportunity to fully focus on the issue of sustainability and the event will provide a focus for the industry while placing positive pressure on the marketplace to make a change for good.

We have some amazing speakers, some awesome learning workshops, some industry-led round table discussions and some Eco-Innovation Awards. Attending EcoPrint will equip you with the content and the contacts to help you on your sustainable journey.

If you are thinking of attending, please book your delegate ticket before May 1 in order to get a 20% discount on the price.

Use this code: QIH1UBT

And book here