What does it take to create a ripple effect in sustainability? Once Upon, a leader in photo books, is proving that bold steps and committed partnerships can drive significant change. By collaborating with ClimateHero, they have not only measured their emissions but also transformed their approach to sustainability - engaging suppliers and empowering customers to make more sustainable choices when they create their photo book.

Together, we identified key areas for improvement. One of their most remarkable achievements is securing commitments from their major suppliers to ambitious climate goals: achieving net zero emissions by 2040 and using 100% renewable energy by 2026.

Stina Lundqvist, Head of Sustainability at Once Upon, shares:
"To achieve our goals, we realized we needed full commitment from our suppliers. By fostering open dialogue and demonstrating how sustainability benefits all of us - economically and environmentally - we’ve built partnerships that truly make a difference."

Another important milestone is the introduction of a paper in the Swedish printing industry that has 68% lower climate impact compared to the paper previously used. This change is communicated through clear and inspiring information to customers at the time of purchase in the shopping cart.

Stina continues:
"That we work with sustainability is both a necessity and an opportunity to create credibility and added value for our customers. Our customers are becoming increasingly interested in our sustainability efforts, but here we need to find the right keys to break through the noise."

By combining climate calculations with concrete actions and committed partners, Once Upon has taken important steps forward. At the same time, it’s a balancing act where sustainability must constantly be weighed against business priorities, and progress often happens through small steps over time. Their work, together with printing partners facing similar challenges, shows that sustainability is not only possible but can also be a competitive advantage - even though the journey can be both complex and time-consuming.

At ClimateHero, we are grateful to be part of Once Upon’s journey and to inspire more companies to follow their lead - together toward a more sustainable future.