What COP30 in Brazil means for a press in Sivakasi ...
Ganeshkumar V, a research scholar, shares positive takeaways from COP 30, which was held from 10 to 21 November 2025, in Belém. He says, it shifted from ambition to implementation, and how climate goals will actually be financed, monitored, and embedded into supply chains
10 Dec 2025 | By Ganeshkumar V
"We are in the era of climate plumbing: The construction of financial systems, data requirements, and material standards that will define the next decade of trade"
For many packaging-printers in Sivakasi or converters in Baddi, a UN climate summit in the Amazon may seem too distant to matter. Our sector is accustomed to global declarations that seldom influence the day-to-day realities of pricing, production, and procurement.
But COP30 in Belém, held from 10 to 21 November 2025, was different. It shifted the global conversation from ambition to implementation—how climate goals will actually be financed, monitored, and embedded into supply chains. This shift will steadily reshape how print and packaging businesses operate.
In practical terms, we have entered what can be called the "era of climate plumbing": The construction of financial systems, data requirements, and material standards that will define the next decade of trade.
Below are the developments most relevant to the Indian print and packaging ecosystem.
The first is finance. COP30 signalled a significant increase in adaptation finance over the coming decade, with political momentum around tripling it by 2035. This matters because financial institutions—both international and domestic—are now expected to link capital to resilience and responsible operations. For a converter in Baddi planning to expand capacity or a press in Sivakasi considering new machinery, sustainability metrics will increasingly influence lending decisions.
Energy efficiency, waste management, and reliable environmental data will form part of risk assessments. Sustainability is gradually moving from CSR reporting into the language of credit evaluation.
The second shift concerns material sourcing. Brazil’s launch of the Tropical Forests Forever Facility marks a new chapter in global forest finance. While it does not impose a formal price on forests, it strengthens the economic case for maintaining them. As this framework develops, markets will increasingly prefer paper and board with verified origins. For Indian exporters, especially in publishing, packaging, and stationery, the ability to demonstrate that fiber is legal, traceable, and deforestation-free will become essential. Buyers will not rely on verbal assurances; they will ask for documentation.
The third area is circularity. The new Global Circularity Protocol introduced during COP30 brings a renewed emphasis on material efficiency. Overproduction—long treated as a manageable operational cost—now appears as avoidable waste. Unsold books, surplus cartons, and excess promotional material represent both material loss and unnecessary emissions. This aligns with the trajectory many Indian printers are already on: shorter runs, digital workflows, and print-on-demand models that reduce waste while improving responsiveness.
A fourth development concerns data. With global pressure mounting on Scope 3 emissions reporting and product-level transparency, packaging is evolving into a medium that must carry both product information and sustainability data. A pharma or FMCG brand increasingly wants to know the fibre origin, carbon profile, and recyclability attributes of each packaging batch. For converters in Baddi and other hubs, the ability to generate and share such data will influence their position in supply chains.
Taken together, these developments do not represent sudden regulation but a steady re-engineering of the systems behind commerce. COP30 did not change the industry’s destination, but it clarified the route: traceable materials, efficient production, and credible data will define competitiveness. Indian printing businesses that adapt early will be better positioned as global supply chains tighten their expectations.
Ink and paper will remain at the core of our craft. Increasingly, however, so will information—where materials come from, how efficiently they are used, and what footprint they leave behind.
A climate glossary
COP (Conference of the Parties)
The annual UN meeting where countries negotiate climate rules. COP30 focused less on new targets and more on the systems needed to operationalise climate commitments.
Adaptation finance
Funding that helps businesses and countries manage the impacts of climate change. COP30 strengthened the push toward significantly scaling adaptation finance, influencing how banks and investors assess risk.
Net zero vs carbon neutral
“Net zero” requires deep internal emission reductions, with only a small remaining portion balanced through high-quality removals. “Carbon Neutral” traditionally relied more heavily on offsets; this approach is losing credibility with regulators and large buyers.
Scope 1, 2, and 3 Emissions
Scope 1 covers direct fuel use; Scope 2 covers purchased electricity; Scope 3 includes upstream and downstream emissions—particularly paper, board, chemicals, and logistics. For most printers, Scope 3 dominates and is the focus of global brand audits.
Article 6 (Paris Agreement Carbon Markets)
The international rulebook for government-authorised carbon crediting. COP30 advanced its operational details but did not regulate voluntary carbon markets. Its integrity standards, however, increasingly influence market expectations.
Tropical forests forever facility (TFFF)
A forest finance initiative launched by Brazil during COP30 to reward countries for preserving tropical forests. It reinforces the demand for traceable, responsibly sourced fibre in global paper markets.
Global circularity protocol (GCP)
A voluntary framework introduced during COP30 to help companies measure circularity. It emphasises preventing waste at the design and production stages rather than relying solely on recycling. This aligns with shorter runs and print-on-demand.
Digital product passports (DPPs)
Emerging regulations, especially in Europe, requiring products—including packaging—to carry verified sustainability information. This will influence Indian suppliers to export-driven sectors.
Chain of custody (CoC)
A traceability system demonstrating the legal and responsible origin of paper or board. Certifications such as FSC® and PEFC™ are becoming baseline expectations for global brands.
Greenwashing
Claims that misrepresent or overstate environmental performance. Regulators and buyers are increasing scrutiny of unsubstantiated statements like “eco-friendly” or “green paper.”