One printed and home delivered Helsingin Sanomat newspaper produces greenhouse gas emissions of around 136 grams in CO2 equivalents, which corresponds to driving about 1–2 kilometres in an average car. Greenhouse gas emissions from an annual subscription for the paper are approximately 48 kg in CO2 equivalents. The carbon footprint of an average Finn is about 10,000 kg in CO2 equivalents, which means that the share of an annual newspaper subscription is 0.48%, based on data for 2022.
The calculation includes greenhouse gas emissions from paper manufacturing, printing and transport. The calculated carbon footprint does not include the share of editorial work or the emissions that arise after reading the paper. By recycling the paper, the reader can contribute to minimising the emissions over the newspaper's life cycle.
The emissions produced by a Helsingin Sanomat newspaper were calculated according to the European ISO 16759 Graphic technology standard, and the figures are verified by a third party. The calculation tool is the Climate Calc tool, which is maintained by the Federation of the Printing Industry in Finland and which complies with the ISO 14064–1 emission calculation standard and the GHG Protocol standard.
Sanoma has calculated the greenhouse gas emissions produced by Helsingin Sanomat in 2010, 2019 and 2022. In the future, this information will be reported annually. The carbon footprint has decreased by approximately 27% when compared to 2010 and about 16% when compared to 2019. Emissions continued to decrease in 2023, and reducing the newspaper's carbon footprint is part of Sanoma’s science-based emission reduction targets. For example, Sanomaprint invested in the purchase of renewable district heating and in optimising the use of district heating with the help of AI in the end of 2022. In addition, the transition to lower-carbon paper grades has continued in paper profiles.
Sanomala printing house (Vantaa) Climate Calc -label:
Manu printing house (Tampere) Climate Calc -label:
