ATLANTA – February 9, 2024 – DS Smith has been recognized for leadership in corporate transparency and performance on climate change by global environmental non-profit CDP, securing a place on its annual ‘A List’.
Based on data reported through CDP’s 2023 Climate Change questionnaire, DS Smith is one of a small number of companies that achieved an ‘A’ – out of over 21,000 companies scored.
Fully TCFD aligned, CDP holds the largest environmental database in the world, and CDP scores are widely used to drive investment and procurement decisions towards a zero carbon, sustainable and resilient economy.
Wouter van Tol, Head of Sustainability & Community Affairs, said: “We are pleased to be ‘A Listed’ by CDP – it’s important recognition of all our hard work to tackle climate change in our business. None of this would have been possible without our team, and I would like to thank them for their support in making this happen.
At DS Smith, sustainability is integral to our circular business model and we are taking action to lead the transition to a low carbon, circular economy. We also help our customers embrace circularity and meet their own ambitious sustainability goals through our Circular Design Metrics.
As we face another crucial year for climate action, now more than ever, companies like ours have an important part to play in in championing sustainable solutions and we look forward to working with our customers, who are some of the biggest brands in the world, to meet our stretching sustainability targets together.”
DS Smith’s inclusion in this year’s A list is reflective of the company’s commitment to sustainability, specifically its “Now and Next” strategy. Launched in 2020, the strategy focuses on tackling the sustainability challenges we are facing today, as well as those that will impact future generations.
Note to editors
The full methodology and criteria for the A List is available on CDP’s website at: https://www.cdp.net/en/companies/companies-scores
About DS Smith
DS Smith is a leading provider of sustainable fiber-based packaging worldwide, which is supported by recycling and papermaking operations. It plays a central role in the value chain across sectors including e-commerce, fast moving consumer goods and industrials. Through its purpose of “Redefining Packaging for a Changing World” and its Now and Next sustainability strategy, DS Smith is committed to leading the transition to the circular economy, while delivering more circular solutions for its customers and wider society – replacing problem plastics, taking carbon out of supply chains and providing innovative recycling solutions. Its bespoke Box-to-Box in 14 Days model, design capabilities and innovation strategy sit at the heart of this response.
Headquartered in London and a member of the FTSE 100, DS Smith operates in 34 countries employing around 30,000 people and is a Strategic Partner of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Its history can be traced back to the box-making businesses started in the 1940s by the Smith family. North American operations are based in Atlanta, with 15 manufacturing, paper and recycling facilities, totaling more than 2,000 employees. DS Smith will report annually its progress across its climate targets in its Sustainability and Annual Reports.
About CDP
CDP is a global non-profit that runs the world’s environmental disclosure system for companies, cities, states and regions. Founded in 2000 and working with more than 740 financial institutions with over $136 trillion in assets, CDP pioneered using capital markets and corporate procurement to motivate companies to disclose their environmental impacts, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, safeguard water resources and protect forests. Over 24,000 organizations around the world disclosed data through CDP in 2023, with more than 23,000 companies – including listed companies worth two thirds global market capitalization – and over 1,100 cities, states and regions. Fully TCFD aligned, CDP holds the largest environmental database in the world, and CDP scores are widely used to drive investment and procurement decisions towards a zero carbon, sustainable and resilient economy. CDP is a founding member of the Science Based Targets initiative, We Mean Business Coalition, The Investor Agenda and the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative. Visit cdp.net or follow us @CDP to find out more.
SOURCE DS Smith
