Achieving net-zero carbon in the pulp and paper industry: Tackling scope 1, 2, and 3 emission hotspots

• Pulp and paper mills generate ∼2 percent of global CO₂ emissions and 6 percent of industrial energy use • Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions are mapped across pulp, paper, and board value chains • Decarbonization levers include CHP, recovery boiler optimization, and heat integration • Strategic levers include supplier engagement, circularity, logistics, and green energy adoption • An integrated roadmap links operational and strategic levers to net zero pathways The pulp and paper industry (P&PI) plays a critical role in the global economy, supplying essential products for education, packaging, and hygiene. Despite its importance, the P&PI ranks among the top five energy-intensive industries, consuming nearly 6% of global industrial energy and contributing about 2% of total CO₂ emissions. This review provides a comprehensive assessment of the sector’s carbon footprint, focusing on Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions. It highlights the challenges posed by energy-intensive operations and complex value chains, emphasizing the urgency of aligning with global net-zero targets. Opportunities for reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions include innovations in combined heat-and-power (CHP) systems, recovery-boiler optimization, and enhanced process efficiency. Scope 3 emissions, spanning raw-material sourcing, logistics, and product end-of-life, require improved data transparency, supplier engagement, and standardized reporting. Strategies such as automated environmental data management, eco-friendly product design, and circular business models are identified as critical for addressing indirect emissions. The review concludes by outlining a roadmap for decarbonizing the industry through technological innovation, digital traceability, and collaborative industrial ecosystems capable of accelerating the transition toward sustainable, net-zero pulp and paper production.