The environment
THE PULP & PAPER SECTOR BREF - A REVISION The Pulp & Paper Sector BREF is the benchmark reference document for the sector, providing information on the Best Available Techniques (BAT) for operations in the sector. These feed into the control measures and limit values incorporated into Environmental Permits. The BREF for the Pulp & Paper Sector has been under revision for some time but has gathered pace during 2011, ahead of a conclusion in 2012/13. Key to the new BREF are the BAT conclusions. These can be limit values, technologies or practices.
Environmental Permits now come under the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED). This Directive makes BAT conclusions legally binding. Standards will be incorporated into Environmental Permits within four years of the publication of the revised BREF.
The Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI) is handling the content of the BREF revisions centrally, with input from CPI. As a result of building a close working relationship with the authors of the BREF revision, CEPI was invited to propose BAT conclusions for the sector. Proposals for all the chapters of the BREF have been submitted and the second, and final, draft of the revision is due for consultation in early 2012. Following consultation and approval, the timetable for publication is the first quarter of 2013. Once published, we will work closely with the Environment Agencies to ensure a balanced approach to the implementation of the revised standards.
Environmental Permit Review
With the delays to the revision of the BREF, the Environment Agency (EA) has carried out a review of Paper Sector Environmental Permits ahead of publication. This will bring all permits in line with the Environmental Permitting Regulations format and make permits more consistent across the sector. CPI has worked with the EA and mills to resolve any issues and ensure consistency. All the sector’s permits should be revised early in 2012.
Water
Water continued to be the focus of growing attention during 2011 with water scarcity, freshwater abstraction and water efficiency receiving a high level of political attention. Water Footprint and Water Stewardship standards are developing apace, with CEPI taking a lead in the development of the standards. In the UK the focus has been, and continues to be, on reforming the Abstraction Regime with the publication of the Natural Environment and Water White Papers, along with an EA focus on water efficiency.
The EA Paper Sector Plan for 2011/12 includes water efficiency audits for ten sample paper mills. The information from the audits will be reviewed with CPI looking at improving the process, disseminating best practice and the potential for rolling out the programme.
The Natural Environment White Paper announced the Government’s intention to reform the Abstraction Regime with the Water White Paper adding further detail on the process of reform. Water levels are currently low in many rivers, a situation predicted to worsen with climate change and increasing demand. The intended reforms are complex, not least as a result of there being some 30,000 licences to revise. CPI Members have been involved in the initial stakeholder meetings and will continue to be involved throughout the process. This will include an impact assessment of potential reform during 2012, consultation on the detailed proposals in 2013, with legislation by 2015. Implementation will be phased in during the 2020s. The reforms will be significant, looking to drive long- term investment in securing water supply. Defra intends to have extensive stakeholder involvement.
CPI is working to communicate the message that the Paper Industry ‘borrows’ much of the water it uses, cleaning and returning it to the environment or recycling it in the papermaking process.
As well as working for the industry as a whole, CPI has also helped individual mills on their particular environmental matters.
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Paper - the sustainable, renewable choice
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