OLIKA and fossil-free
What does OLIKA's energy use look like internally?
In our offices we use renewable fuels, it is relatively easy as you can choose from most electricity suppliers. We also travel by public transport and usually by train. WE do not fly.
What energy do OLIKA's printing plants use?
The printing house we work with the most is called Dardedze Holografija and is located in Riga. 60% of their energy is renewable and 40% is still from fossil fuels. We are working to change that but right now it looks like this.
How does OLIKA work with the Nordic Swan Ecolabel?
We only print at Swan-labeled printers and we are working to ensure that the Swan label becomes synonymous with "fossil-free", but we are not there yet. In the latest revision of the Swan label, the criteria were strengthened. Christer Andersson at Swan says this:
"We have strengthened the energy requirement in the new criteria. However, it is not possible to have a requirement for 100% renewable energy that applies throughout the Nordic region, as the conditions for this are different in the different countries."
Robert Sabelström at Climate Hero, our independent climate expert, is positive but at the same time critical of the updated criteria, and believes that the activities should be linked to clear goals:
" Requiring that a climate calculation be made is a good start. But to be "eco-labelled" one would also like to see requirements for improvements. Either as hard limit values or that one should follow the Science based targets 1.5 degree curve, i.e. at least halve emissions every decade and reach net zero by 2050 at the latest. I would also like to see more focus on new climate-smart materials (for example bamboo or hemp). Right now there is a lot of focus on Swedish large-scale forestry."
At OLIKA, we will try printing on more materials, such as bamboo, in 2023. According to Robert Sabelström, bamboo is a good choice of material as it absorbs a lot of carbon dioxide when it grows, and it grows quickly, unlike trees.
How does OLIKA work with fossil-free freight?
Our goal is to always be able to offer at least one fossil-free delivery option to our customers. We also hope that the major players will soon offer the same thing, but we don't know when that will happen. As a customer of OLIKA, you can be part of the change by choosing fossil-free shipping at checkout!
The shipments from our printing house in Riga to Sweden are made with DHL Green, which is the closest we have come to climate-smart shipping. But here too, hopefully there will be more options soon.
How does OLIKA work with writers, illustrators and other freelancers?
As we work with nearly 200 freelancers, this is an important part. We educate and encourage everyone to do the things they can do easily, and we ask questions about how they plan to change.
1) What energy do you use today for your work? If you haven't done so yet, switch to renewable energy. All electricity companies offer it.
2) How do you travel for work? Do you travel fossil-free even if it takes a little longer? Are you prepared to give up some comfort to travel climate-smart?
3) Have you done a climate analysis of your own business? In 2023, we will, in collaboration with Climate Hero, offer training and a calculator for anyone who wants to track their climate footprint as a freelancer or small business owner.
AND: Tell us about your climate journey! The more of us who share what we do and why, how we are changing, the more people will be inspired to do the same. Because we can only achieve the 1.5 degree goal together!
