The Paper Federation of Great Britain has completed negotiations with the Government on the ground-breaking Climate Change Levy agreements after months of detailed discussions.


An umbrella agreement signed at the beginning of February defines the targets the paper industry will try to reach by 2010.


All underlying agreements between the Paper Federation and participating companies, including non-Federation members, have also been signed, and have received the final stamp of government approval from the Department of Trade and Industry.


Obviously this has been a tremendous achievement for the team at the Federation, said head of communications Karen Moffat.


This is significant as the agreement does not only apply to members of the Federation, but the paper industry as a whole.


The paper industry has been campaigning since the Climate Change Levy was announced to gain the most acceptable deal for the industry.


Paper Federation president Alan McKendrick said: The progress we have made in partnership with the Government is witness to the continuing commitment of the paper industry to minimise the impact it has on the environment.


The Climate Change Agreements will entitle all companies taking part to an 80% discount on the levy, providing they commit to the energy improvements.


The targets have been set at the equivalent of a 40% improvement by 2010, compared with 1990.


Story by Andy Scott