• About Us
  • Our Services
    • Banking & Financial Services
    • Competition & Antitrust
    • Digital & Tech
    • EU & International
    • Food & Drink
    • Green Transition, Energy & Industrials
    • Healthcare, Life Sciences & Wellbeing
    • Trade & Investment (including EU-UK)
    • Transport, Travel & Logistics
  • Our Team
    • FIPRA International
    • Special Advisors
  • FIPRA Network
  • Latest News
  • Careers
Skip to content

FIPRA

COVID-19 Resources
Search for:
Events

How next-gen packaging can help achieve the EU’s climate goals

By Charlotte Woolfson
Thursday, 26 November 2020
How next-gen packaging can help achieve the EU’s climate goals

As part of the European Green Deal and the new Circular Economy Action Plan, the European Commission has shown its intention to further tackle the issues concerning packaging and packaging waste. The Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD) will be revised in 2021, with the aim of making all packaging recyclable or reusable by 2030. Overall, the objective of the reform is also for the sector to contribute to the EU’s 2050 climate neutrality goal.  

In this context, FIPRA Public Affairs organised an Intelligence Series webinar around the future of packaging. Named “How next-gen packaging can help achieve the EU’s climate goals,” the online event was moderated by FIPRA Chairman Robert Madelin.  

Addressing the webinar, Mattia Pellegrini, Head of Unit at the European Commission’s DG Environment, recalled the necessity for all stakeholders to participate in the policy process through the ongoing public consultation.   

The revised PPWD would include targets for recycled content in packaging as well as stipulate packaging to be either recyclable or reusable by 2030. The industry should focus on how to do it rather than if to do it.

– Mattia Pellegrini, Head of Unit, DG Environment

Dominic Hogg, Chairman of EUNOMIA, pointed to an important dimension that is often undervalued during the policy process — the significance of time. “If you set your targets too early, then you can end up introducing unnecessary costs in seeking to meet your objective,” he said.  

On the decarbonisation of the economy, he underlined that a key tool for the EU to deal with carbon leakage will be the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). This system would put a price on material that are more carbon intensive, which could lead to a substantial price difference between primary and secondary materials.  

Hogg stressed that while switching the source of energy used in the packaging sector will contribute to the decarbonisation of the sector, the use of recycled content would, in addition, reduce demand for energy used in making packaging: this might be important at a ‘system level’ as a means to increase the pace at which the economy moves to a net zero position. 

Francesca Stevens, the Managing Director of EUROPEN, emphasised that the targets should not be set in isolation. She advocated for a systemic approach through coherent policies along the value chain. 

Stevens also underlined that new measures should support the uptake of innovation, as new technologies and solutions (i.e. new recycling technologies, digital solutions to improve sorting, etc.) will contribute at different level to decarbonise the sector. 

If you set your targets too early, then you can end up introducing unnecessary costs in seeking to meet your objective.

– Dominic Hogg, Chairman of EUNOMIA

In addition to innovative solutions, she recalled the need to deploy circular solutions at scale and, the development of a Single Market for secondary raw materials. 

Sabine von Wirén Lehr, Tetra Pak Director of EU Public Affairs, outlined that packaging is part of the problem but also part of the solution. In that sense, the role of innovation is key to make next generation packaging circular and climate neutral.  

She recalled that Tetra Pak, as a leading provider of food processing and food packaging solutions, has committed to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions in its operations by 2030 and for the whole value chain by 2050. To achieve these objectives, Von Wirén Lehr underlined the importance of using recyclable and renewable materials that are low carbon, as recycling alone will not be enough.  

Indeed, the greenhouse gases emissions that come from the production of packaging materials are currently comparable to emissions of the aviation and shipment sectors combined.  

As regards the revision of the PPWD, Von Wirén Lehr stressed that the new policy framework should set long-term targets with clear criteria, without restricting the use of certain innovative packaging materials which could form part of the solution. The revision of the legislation is an opportunity to substitute high carbon with low carbon materials.  

I believe that the purpose of any legislative framework addressing packaging sustainability must be climate and environmental protection. It is vital to ensure that the review of the packaging waste directive considers both these elements.

– Francesca Stevens, Managing Director, EUROPEN

Stevens and Von Wirén Lehr recalled that innovation should not be hampered as it would impose costly constraints on the industry and would risk deviating from the decarbonisation objective.    

Overall, the discussion brought to light some key factors that will be essential in order to allow the packaging sector to operate its green transition smoothly and efficiently. Different sets of solutions will be needed, such as the increasing use of recycled and renewable materials and the development of a secondary raw materials market.  

Among these elements, timing will also be essential, as well as innovation. As summarised by Madelin, finding the right balance between ambitious targets and realistic objectives has never seemed as important to avoid unbearable costs for businesses, society and the environment.  

FIPRA’s Green Transition practice

To know more about any aspects of this webinar or better understand the impact of the Commission’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, get in touch with our Green Transition practice. 

Written by
Charlotte Woolfson
Account Manager
Profile
Green Transition, Energy & Industrials
Green Transition, Energy & Industrials
FIPRA advises clients in wide-ranging industries from Energy, Environment, Chemicals, Mining and beyond on meeting their climate, sustainability and business goals.
More
Latest News
  • FIPRA Network
    Dutch cabinet resigns: First overview from The Hague
    15 January 2021
  • FIPRA Network
    View from the United States: From impeachment to political reconciliation
    13 January 2021
  • Analysis
    A new era: Examining the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement
    6 January 2021
  • FIPRA Network
    First look: China-EU Comprehensive Agreement of Investment spurs optimism
    6 January 2021
  • Events
    Recovery, regulation & global ties: Portugal’s leitmotiv for Council Presidency
    15 December 2020
Some of our experts
  • Jens Karsten
    Jens Karsten
    Special Advisor - Food & Farm Law
  • Dorothée  Coucharrière
    Dorothée Coucharrière
    Senior Advisor - Decarbonisation, Clean Energy, Smart Mobility
  • Alexandra  Walmsley
    Alexandra Walmsley
    Special Advisor - Defence, Nuclear
  • Geert Dancet
    Geert Dancet
    Special Advisor - Chemicals
  • JB Renard
    JB Renard
    Special Advisor - Energy
  • Avril Doyle
    Avril Doyle
    Special Advisor - Agriculture, Energy
  • Krzysztof Lisek
    Krzysztof Lisek
    Special Advisor - Defence, European Parliament
  • Jan Ahlskog
    Jan Ahlskog
    Special Advisor - Industrials, Chemicals & Environment
  • Stephanie Ayres
    Stephanie Ayres
    Special Advisor - Aerospace, Defence & Security
  • Dirk Hudig
    Dirk Hudig
    Special Advisor - Competition, Green Transition, Energy, Industrials, EU & International
  • FIPRA in Argentina
    FIPRA in Argentina
    is known locally as InfoMedia Consulting
    FIPRA in Argentina
  • FIPRA in Australia
    FIPRA in Australia
    is known locally as Richardson Coutts
    FIPRA in Australia
  • FIPRA in Austria
    FIPRA in Austria
    is known locally as PANTARHEI Corporate Advisors
    FIPRA in Austria
  • FIPRA in Belgium
    FIPRA in Belgium
    is known locally as Politics Matters
    FIPRA in Belgium
  • FIPRA in Brazil
    FIPRA in Brazil
    is known locally as JG Assis de Almeida & Associados
    FIPRA in Brazil
  • FIPRA in Canada
    FIPRA in Canada
    is known locally as Earnscliffe Strategy Group
    FIPRA in Canada
  • FIPRA in China
    FIPRA in China
    is known locally as Yuan Associates
    FIPRA in China
  • FIPRA in Croatia
    FIPRA in Croatia
    is known locally as Vlahovic Group
    FIPRA in Croatia
  • FIPRA in Czech Republic
    FIPRA in Czech Republic
    is known locally as PAN Solutions
    FIPRA in Czech Republic
  • FIPRA in Denmark
    FIPRA in Denmark
    is known locally as European Advisers
  • FIPRA in Estonia
    FIPRA in Estonia
    is known locally as META Advisory Group
    FIPRA in Estonia
  • FIPRA in France
    FIPRA in France
    is known locally as Cabinet Samman
    FIPRA in France
  • FIPRA in Georgia
    FIPRA in Georgia
    is known locally as BGI Advisory Services Group
    FIPRA in Georgia
  • FIPRA in Germany
    FIPRA in Germany
    is known locally as Miller & Meier Consulting
    FIPRA in Germany
  • FIPRA in Greece
    FIPRA in Greece
    is known locally as One Team S.A
    FIPRA in Greece
  • FIPRA in Hungary
    FIPRA in Hungary
    is known locally as CEC Government Relations Budapest
    FIPRA in Hungary
  • FIPRA in India
    FIPRA in India
    is known locally as Chase India
    FIPRA in India
  • FIPRA in Ireland
    FIPRA in Ireland
    is known locally as Vulcan Consulting
    FIPRA in Ireland
  • FIPRA in Italy
    FIPRA in Italy
    is known locally as Telos A&S
    FIPRA in Italy
  • FIPRA in Japan
    FIPRA in Japan
    is known locally as GR Japan
    FIPRA in Japan
  • FIPRA in Kazakhstan
    FIPRA in Kazakhstan
    is known locally as Kesarev
    FIPRA in Kazakhstan
  • FIPRA in Korea
    FIPRA in Korea
    is known locally as Macoll Consulting Group
    FIPRA in Korea
  • FIPRA in Kyrgyzstan
    FIPRA in Kyrgyzstan
    is known locally as Kesarev
    FIPRA in Kyrgyzstan
  • FIPRA in Latvia
    FIPRA in Latvia
    is known locally as Meta Advisory
    FIPRA in Latvia
  • FIPRA in Luxembourg
    FIPRA in Luxembourg
    is known locally as Huggard Consulting Group
    FIPRA in Luxembourg
  • FIPRA in Malta
    FIPRA in Malta
    is known locally as Maritimus Company Limited
    FIPRA in Malta
  • FIPRA in Mexico
    FIPRA in Mexico
    is known locally as InStrag
    FIPRA in Mexico
  • FIPRA in Mongolia
    FIPRA in Mongolia
    is known locally as Kesarev
    FIPRA in Mongolia
  • FIPRA in The Netherlands
    FIPRA in The Netherlands
    is known locally as Public Matters
    FIPRA in The Netherlands
  • FIPRA in Norway
    FIPRA in Norway
    is known locally as First House
    FIPRA in Norway
  • FIPRA in Poland
    FIPRA in Poland
    is known locally as CEC Government Relations
    FIPRA in Poland
  • FIPRA in Portugal
    FIPRA in Portugal
    is known locally as Initium
  • FIPRA in Russia
    FIPRA in Russia
    is known locally as Kesarev
    FIPRA in Russia
  • FIPRA in Singapore
    FIPRA in Singapore
    is known locally as Landmark Public Affairs
    FIPRA in Singapore
  • FIPRA in Slovenia
    FIPRA in Slovenia
    is known locally as MC Public Affairs Ltd
    FIPRA in Slovenia
  • FIPRA in South Africa
    FIPRA in South Africa
    is known locally as Ethicore Political Consulting
    FIPRA in South Africa
  • FIPRA in Spain
    FIPRA in Spain
    is known locally as Influence Spain
    FIPRA in Spain
  • FIPRA in Sweden
    FIPRA in Sweden
    is known locally as Hallvarsson & Halvarsson (H&H)
    FIPRA in Sweden
  • FIPRA in Switzerland
    FIPRA in Switzerland
    is known locally as Hirzel.Neef.Schmid. Consultants
    FIPRA in Switzerland
  • FIPRA in Tajikistan
    FIPRA in Tajikistan
    is known locally as Kesarev
    FIPRA in Tajikistan
  • FIPRA in Turkey
    FIPRA in Turkey
    is known locally as FIPRA Iletisim
  • FIPRA in Turkmenistan
    FIPRA in Turkmenistan
    is known locally as Kesarev
    FIPRA in Turkmenistan
  • FIPRA in Ukraine
    FIPRA in Ukraine
    is known locally as Stober Poltavets & Associates
    FIPRA in Ukraine
  • FIPRA in the United Kingdom
    FIPRA in the United Kingdom
    is known locally as Lexington Communications
    FIPRA in the United Kingdom
  • FIPRA in the United States
    FIPRA in the United States
    is known locally as Alpine Group
    FIPRA in the United States
  • FIPRA in Uzbekistan
    FIPRA in Uzbekistan
    is known locally as Kesarev
    FIPRA in Uzbekistan
FIPRA Network

FIPRA

© FIPRA 2021.
All rights reserved.

Follow us on Twitter  Find us on LinkedIn

  • Privacy Policy
Explore
  • About Us
  • Our Services
  • Our Team
  • FIPRA Network
  • Latest News
  • FIPRA Tools
  • Contact Us
Services
  • Banking & Financial Services
  • Competition & Antitrust
  • Digital & Tech
  • EU & International
  • Food & Drink
  • Green Transition, Energy & Industrials
  • Healthcare, Life Sciences & Wellbeing
  • Trade & Investment (including EU-UK)
  • Transport, Travel & Logistics
Contact

info@fipra.com

Brussels Office  map
Rue de la Loi 227
Brussels 1040
+32 (0)2 613 28 28

London Office  map
201 Borough High Street
London
SE1 1JA
+44 (0)203 805 7770

Company no: 3936157

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. To get more info on our use of cookies please see our privacy policy.AcceptRejectPrivacy policy
You can revoke your consent any time using the Revoke consent button.Revoke cookies