Most Of The Energy Used By Europe’s Pulp And Paper Industry Comes From Renewable Sources

The paper, pulp and print sector is one of the lowest industrial emitters of greenhouse gases, accounting for 0.7% of European emissions in 2024.¹

The paper industry’s carbon emissions have reduced by 54% per tonne of product from 1991 to 2023. The European pulp and paper industry is also the biggest single user and producer of renewable energy in Europe, with 66% of its primary energy consumption coming from renewable sources.²

The industry’s primary on-site energy source (not including bought-in electricity) is biomass at 66%, followed by gas at 29.2%. The remaining 4.8% are other fossil fuels and net bought electricity.²

The industry has consistently increased it’s use of biomass since 1991, rising by 70% to 701,438 tonnes in 2024.

Cepi, Key Statistics, 2025

Between 2010 and 2024, the European paper
industry reduced its total primary energy
consumption by 19% and it is now lower than
it was at the beginning of this century. The
European paper industry produces 53% of
its electricity onsite, of which more than 95%
is generated through highly efficient CHP
(Combined Heat and Power) plants.²

By using paper from sustainably managed
forests and always recycling, we really do
not have to feel guilty about using this natural
and renewable product.

The print and paper industry is one of the lowest industrial greenhouse gas emitters in Europe, accounting for just 0.7% of emissions in 2024. This is low compared to non-metallic mineral products industries (2.9%) and iron and steel industries (2.9%).

European Environmental Agency, EEA Greenhouse Gases – Data Viewer