The business lays claim to being the first national merchant in the UK to used the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) to validate its near-term carbon reduction goals, which involves reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 42%, by 2030.

It has used the same metric for the fresh 2045 goal, a commitment to reduce Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions “by a minimum of 90%” by that year.

Marketing and sustainability director Danny Doogan commented: “Our net-zero target may be considered ambitious, but during discussions with several manufacturers in the last year, it’s apparent there is a strong intent to reduce, and ultimately eliminate, fossil fuel based energy in paper production – a significant Scope 3 element of our carbon footprint.

“In the week where 2023 was confirmed as the hottest on record, now is the time for ambitious targets.”

He said the 2045 target – five years ahead of the global deadline defined in the Paris Agreement signed by world leaders in 2015 – had come about due to the aspirations of the group’s customers, as well as the decarbonisation initiatives underway at paper and board manufacturers.

Denmaur teamed with carbon specialists Nero Carbon to measure its greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and ISO14064-1 global standards.

Nero director Greg Selfe commented: “Denmaur is a fantastic example of a major company proactively measuring and reducing its carbon footprint to stay ahead of both environmental regulation and its competition.

“Customer demand for transparent and credible carbon footprints is only set to increase. Denmaur can now confidently tells its existing and potential customers that all of its products are on a validated pathway to reach net-zero.”

Doogan also noted that, in parallel with its carbon emission reduction actions, Denmaur will continue to promote and invest in the World Land Trust’s Carbon Balanced Paper programme and mitigation actions.