Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)

We have been on a multi-year journey to implement the recommendations set out by the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures, improving how we communicate climate-related financial information.

Download our 2023 TCFD disclosures

Our TCFD disclosures can also be found on pages 52-63 of DS Smith Annual Report 2023.

Our CDP Climate Change response contains substantial information and analysis of our response to climate change, including risks and opportunities, and their potential financial impacts. For industry-specific metrics, see our SASB (Containers & Packaging) table and the DS Smith ESG Databook 2023.

Adapting to climate change

Against a backdrop of inflationary pressure, rising interest rates and volatility, the recent energy crisis has demonstrated that our dependency on the global energy system has significant implications for how climate risk should be managed and how the transition to Net Zero should be planned.

In the context of rapidly changing global energy markets, we remain steadfast in our belief that the circular economy is part of the solution to climate change, whilst recognising the imperative to transition to an affordable and clean energy system.

Our circular business model keeps materials recirculating through recycling services which support the manufacture of recyclable packaging. Whilst this alleviates pressure on natural systems, such as forests, and prevents waste from entering landfills and oceans, it is energy intensive, generating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that contribute to climate change.

In support of a 1.5°C ‘Net Zero’ economy, we are committed to considering the Paris Agreement in our activities, including in our external engagement, as underpinned by the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) and the IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C (SR1.5).

We have set a 1.5°C science-based target, to reduce Scopes 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions 46 per cent by 2030 compared to 2019 and we are committed to reaching Net Zero by 2050. This target has been validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

We first included the TCFD recommendations in our 2018 Annual Report. Since then, we have developed our reporting, reaching complete disclosure of all recommendations a year ahead of mandatory disclosure last year.

Climate-related risks

4 areas

Increased spend on carbon taxes

In the short term, there is a risk that new carbon taxes could be introduced, or existing carbon taxes could be extended as a policy tool to incentivise decarbonisation.

Increased cost of raw materials or threat to supply

In the medium to long term, there is a risk that raw materials could become more expensive or difficult to acquire due to disruption or market dynamic shifts caused by climate change.

Increased severity of extreme weather events

In the medium to long term, there is a risk that the frequency and severity of extreme weather events could increase, causing damage and disruption in our own operations or the value chain.

Increased likelihood of water stress

In the long term, there is a risk that competition for water could increase in the river basins from which we withdraw water, increasing the chance that supply constraints could be imposed.

Climate-related opportunities

3 areas

Growth in demand for sustainable packaging

In the short term, there is an opportunity to drive organic growth by demonstrating the benefits of circular packaging that helps brands and consumers to replace plastic and reduce their carbon footprint in the transition to Net Zero.

Greater resource efficiency

In the short term, there is an opportunity to use fewer resources (materials, energy and/or water), both in manufacture through design and operating efficiency, and throughout the value chain to reduce climate impact and cost.

Use of lower-emission energy sources

In the medium to long term, there is an opportunity to adopt lower-emission energy sources and energy efficiency measures. These could be equipment-based (e.g. e-boilers and carbon capture and storage), fuel-based (e.g. hydrogen) or process-based (e.g. heat recovery and optimisation through digital and data innovation).

The infographic below demonstrates how increases in average global temperature may create transition and physical risk and the sort of outcomes that these changes may lead to.