Environmental Policy
At Horizon Printing & Graphics, we follow a science-based approach to decarbonisation, aligned with a 1.5°C target pathway and the GHG Protocol methodology for Corporate Carbon Footprint. We measure and report on Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions, including supplier-specific Product Carbon Footprints for key inputs such as paper, other printing substrates, and logistics.
We also track the carbon intensity of our transportation network and our paper purchases, enabling us to focus reductions where they matter most. This data-led approach informs our goal to achieve a 53% reduction in our carbon footprint by FY30 from an FY19 baseline, across all scopes, as a key milestone on our realistic pathway to Net Zero by 2040.
Currently, around 37% of our energy is sourced from renewable sources including biomass, wind, hydro, and solar power. We are working to increase this share through direct investment in energy-reducing infrastructure, process optimisation, and renewable energy procurement.
We are beginning to work more closely with our suppliers to lower the carbon intensity of raw materials, especially paper and inks, and are exploring partnerships with lower-emission carriers to reduce the footprint of our deliveries. Because most emissions in the print industry come from purchased raw materials and logistics, these will remain at the heart of our decarbonisation strategy.
Importantly, we do not rely on carbon offsetting. While offsets can play a role, they risk creating a false sense of progress and can shift attention away from making meaningful, measurable reductions in actual emissions. We believe in tangible actions that reduce emissions at source, ensuring genuine progress toward Net Zero.
As part of the Cimpress family, we are committed to outperforming the well-below 2°C aspiration set at the 2015 Paris Climate Accord. We will continue to be transparent about our performance, sharing progress on our Scope 1 and 2 reductions and reporting on Scope 3 in detail, as we deliver on our commitment to a lower-carbon future.
About our journey to Net Zero 2040 target
When starting their carbon journey, most printing companies calculate their Corporate Carbon Footprint using generic database emission factors (Eco Invent, DEFRA, etc.). They will likely use inaccurate activity data, relying on spend or estimations. While this is already a great first step, we could call this the baby stage of carbon footprint.
The next step is to collect specific data that will provide better information on a company’s actual carbon footprint, and its trend over time. This is a more time-consuming approach, but much more useful. Data such as the real weight of paper purchased, distance and weight of shipments to calculate logistics emissions, and understanding the disposal method of the company’s products in its market, will help draw a clearer picture of the company’s footprint and highlight real emissions hot spots. In this stage, we are still in the infancy of carbon footprint.
The teenage of carbon footprint is having supplier’s specific information for our scope 3 emissions: What is the carbon footprint of this paper versus that paper, coming from a different paper mill? What is the emission intensity of this carrier versus this other one?
Horizon Printing & Graphics is already in its late teenage years in that regard: Approximately 74% of the total emissions are calculated using supplier’s specific data points, another 13% on spend-based data and 13% from custom data (generic material, waste in operations, product end-of-life) from generic emission factors. This is very important because we are now able to see the impact of our suppliers’ decarbonisation efforts on our carbon footprint and soon make decisions based on this. As we design more recyclable products, this will be visible in our carbon footprint, when we reduce production waste, it will also make a dent in our emissions.
Approximately 74% of the total emissions are calculated using supplier’s specific data points, and another 26% from the real activity data, but generic emission factors.
Adulthood is still ahead of us: Making purchasing decisions to reduce emissions consistently is hard because oftentimes it will impact profitability. We are currently working on this, trying to define what approach would work for us. But we are already very proud of the journey accomplished so far because without our data quality growing up in the last year as it did, we could not be on the edge of adulthood.
FY40 Target
Year on year this represents an almost 5% reduction in our CO2(e) Footprint due in part to gaining improved data points from our shipping partners in particularly DPD and Evri.
Year on Year almost 5% reduction in CO2 (e) representing almost 568 tonnes
Horizon Printing & Graphics’s CO2(e) footprint is not assured at Business Unit Level but assured at Cimpress Group level as part of the group’s overall footprint. Cimpress ESG Reports
Scope 1 Direct Emissions – Initiatives
Our Scope 1 emissions come from direct, on-site sources such as natural gas used for heating and manufacturing processes, and fuel used in company-owned vehicles. We are actively reducing these through:
- Heating Efficiency Upgrades – Replacing older boilers with high-efficiency models, optimising thermostat controls, and improving insulation to reduce natural gas use.
- Equipment Optimisation – Upgrading printing and finishing equipment to more energy-efficient models and implementing preventative maintenance programmes to maintain peak efficiency.
- Behavioural Energy Management – Training teams on energy-conscious operational practices, including idle-time reduction for equipment shutdown protocols when not in use.
By targeting the sources we control, we’re delivering measurable, year-on-year reductions in our direct emissions, while supporting our broader Science-Based Targets for all scopes.
Scope 2 – Initiatives
- Based on the choices available from electricity suppliers we were limited in the ‘green tariff’ energy we could procure but we were able to secure a tariff that includes around 37% of renewable energy.
- On-site Renewable Integration (Feasibility) – Assessing opportunities for small-scale solar or heat recovery systems to directly offset Scope 1 fuel demand.
Scope 3 – Initiatives
Paper
- We have complete visibility of real time mill data for paper that ensures accuracy of measurement rather than reliance on spend and emissions factor tables.
- “Zero waste to landfill” approach
Shipping
Working closely with our carriers has enabled us to gain more accurate data on actual impacts from Evri and DPD. Our main carrier is DPD, and they have been able to share some exciting reports on impact such as number of parcels delivered via electric vehicles. Around 90% of our volume uses DPD.
Introduction post Covid of Hybrid Working
Our hybrid working model has reduced our Scope 3 emissions from employee commuting by minimising the need for employees to travel to the workplace. Remote work reduces commuting frequency, lowering emissions from personal vehicles and public transport. When on-site presence is required, car share schemes decrease the number of vehicles on the road, cutting emissions per employee, while subsidised public transport encourages greener travel options. Together, these initiatives not only reduce environmental impact but also align with sustainability goals, enhance employee satisfaction through flexibility and cost savings, and bolster our reputation for corporate responsibility.
Supplier Engagement
We continue to educate our Third-Party Fulfillers by sharing our Net Zero ambitions and by supporting them with materials that will help them on their own pathway to Net Zero.
We are working hard to undertake a full assessment of the CO2(e) footprint in our supply chain so we have a better understanding and can identify opportunities to reduce our Scope 3 emissions.
Our Commitment to Responsibly Sourced Paper & Advancing Responsible Forestry
In 2020, we committed to influencing our third-party suppliers to significantly expand their use of responsibly sourced paper for the products they customise on our behalf. Additionally, we are focusing on using packaging materials that contain recycled content from post-consumer sources to help ensure our packaging does not contribute to deforestation. We aim to achieve a 95% conversion to post-consumer waste materials across our third-party supply base and packaging by 2025.
A list of all our FSC® & PEFC-certified products are available upon request. Please contact info@horizonprint.co.uk for details.