Nov 20, 2009. /Lesprom Network/. The European paper industry reports a decrease in specific emission of CO2 per ton of paper produced by 42% since 1990, as Papaernet reported. According to the Sustainability of the European paper industry, the paper industry even during difficult economic times has a good track record as a sustainable sector. Since its last report, CEPI (the Confederation of European Paper Industries) has had many achievements and has thoroughly reviewed its targets and indicators. As a result the report includes information on water usage, product responsibility and profitability as well as updated indicators including raw material consumption, legal logging and biodiversity. The Sustainability report has, as a result of this extra reporting, attained a B+ rating from the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) for the first time. Examples of the industry’s achievements illustrated in the report include: The fact that the paper industry was the only industrial sector to reduce emissions under the EU Emissions Trading System in 2008 versus 2007; A reduction in the levels of both CO2 and NOx emissions; Primary energy use reduced by 2.9%; 54.4% of energy used is biomass-based, an increase of 1.5% since 2007. “This report has been certified by the Global Reporting Initiative and shows that we are credible and transparent. We are committed to this process. We will continue to work to adapt and respond to the challenges that face us, while our products are produced sustainably to the benefit of society,” said Teresa Presas, CEPI Managing Director.