GreenFirst Forest Products Inc. is pleased to announce it is the recipient of a 2021 FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council®) Leadership Award, an award recognizing uncommon excellence that advances responsible forest management and forest conservation. GreenFirst was awarded a 2021 FSC Leadership Award for maintaining FSC (FSC® – C167905) certification on over 9 million acres (3.8 million hectares) of complex boreal landscapes in Ontario and Quebec for more than 15 years. The award is specific to two forests areas managed by GreenFirst; the Gordon Cosens Forest in Ontario and those managed by the Abitibi-Ouest team in Quebec (management units 082-51, 085-51 and 085-62).

Kimberly-Clark announced that it received a 2021 Climate Leadership Award for 'Goal Achievement in Greenhouse Gas Management' from the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions and The Climate Registry. The national award recognizes companies that set and achieve aggressive greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals."We are honored to receive this prestigious award for reducing greenhouse gas emissions across our operations, especially since we were recognized for 'Excellence in Greenhouse Gas Management & Goal Setting' as part of the Climate Leadership Awards in 2018," said Juan Marin, Global Energy and Climate Leader at Kimberly-Clark. "Our work to minimize the carbon footprint of our brands and businesses and do our part in the fight against climate change is part of how we deliver our purpose to provide better care for a better world."

The Consumer Goods Forum’s Forest Positive Coalition released their Pulp, Paper and Fibre-based Packaging (PPP) Roadmap earlier this year. The document aims to guide Coalition members in their efforts to remove deforestation and conversion from PPP supply chains. Certification will continue to play an important role in the Coalition’s push to tackle deforestation, forest conversion and degradation, as well as traceability of materials and improved management of forests, and to ensure all stakeholders with an interest in the forest are involved in its management.

On October 1, 2021, FSC published a revised trademark standard, FSC-STD-50-001 (V2-1). Requirements for use of the FSC trademarks by certificate holders, with changes to the MIX label text and the controlled wood claims are among the updates. The revised standard will become effective on January 1, 2022. There will be a transition period lasting 2.5 years (from January 1, 2022 until June 30, 2024) when FSC certificate holders may choose to use the revised version (V2-1) or continue to use the previous version (V2-0).

An oil leak was reported by Metsä Board Husum mill into the sea south of Husum, Sweden between Thursday evening 16 September and mid-day Friday 17 September. According to the mill, the origin of the leak was from one of the mill’s oil burners that was immediately isolated and put out of operation. There has been no further leakage since the incident. The root cause of the incident is being investigated. Metsä Board is supporting the ongoing investigation with all the necessary resources. The Husum mill has allocated extensive resources to the decontamination of the oil from both the sea and island shores. The mill has commissioned two licensed experts to lead the decontamination operation and mobilized a team of decontamination workers. A detailed decontamination plan has been issued to the Country Administrative Board.

The American Forest Foundation and The Nature Conservancy today announced a new partnership with REI Co-op, the nation's largest membership-based co-op and outdoor retailer, to empower America’s rural family forest owners to manage their forests in ways that sequester and store more carbon. The partnership will support the Family Forest Carbon Program, a joint forest carbon project of the American Forest Foundation (AFF), a national conservation non-profit that specializes in family-owned forestland, and The Nature Conservancy (TNC), a global conservation organization. “REI focuses its work at the intersection of people and planet. AFF and TNC have done the same in their creation of the Family Forest Carbon Program,” said Matt Thurston, Director of Sustainability at REI. “The program is at the forefront of forest carbon strategies, using ground-breaking approaches that help small landowners join the fight against climate change.” The Family Forest Carbon Program is a new forest carbon program rooted in high-integrity climate impact and support for small rural forest owners. The program provides land-owning families with expert conservation guidance and resources along with the financial assistance to actively engage in practices that improve forest health and productivity. The practices not only increase the carbon sequestered and stored in the forests, they also can deliver important co-benefits such as improved water quality, wildlife habitat and increased long-term forest resiliency.

Sonoco announced it has earned a Gold Medal rating by EcoVadis for the first time, the leading platform for environmental, social and ethical performance ratings for global supply chains. The rating puts Sonoco among the top 5 percent of manufacturers of paperboard and containers rated by EcoVadis, which monitors sustainability practices across 200 industries and 160 counties on behalf of 75,000 companies. According to Elizabeth Rhue, Sonoco’s staff vice president of sustainability, the Company’s improved rating is a result of a global effort by Sonoco’s more than 300 operations in 34 countries to achieve exceptional levels of corporate responsibility and sustainability.

As economic pressures around the globe continue to mount, banks, telecom providers, utility companies and even governmental organizations are increasingly focused on switching their customers from paper to digital services to cut costs. All too often, their customer communications attempt to mask these cost-saving efforts, justifying the switch with unsubstantiated environmental marketing appeals such as “Go Green – Go Paperless” and “Choose e-billing and save a tree.” “Not only do these greenwashing claims breach established environmental marketing standards like the U.S. Federal Trade Commission Green Guides and the ISO 14021 standard, they also are extremely damaging to an industry that has a solid and continually improving environmental record,” says Two Sides North America President Kathi Rowzie. “Far from ‘saving trees,’ strong market demand for sustainably sourced paper encourages responsible forest management and supports the long-term health of forest resources. Many of the organizations we engage are surprised to learn that over the last 30 years, U.S. forests have expanded by some 18 million acres, while net forest area in Canada has remained the same at around 857 million acres during the same period.1”

Two Sides has been actively engaging with organisations found to be making misleading and unsupported environmental claims against print and paper for over 10 years. Our Anti-Greenwash campaign has successfully challenged over 750 global organisations, primarily service providers like banks, utilities and telecoms, that subject their customers to repeated Greenwashing messages which are damaging to our industry. A research project was conducted at the beginning of 2021, in partnership with consumer research organisation Censuswide, which examined: *The reach and impact of Greenwashing on consumer behaviour. *The financial impact upon the paper, print and mailing industry as a result of Greenwashing. *The volume and value of preserved print, paper and postage as a result of the Two Sides Anti-Greenwash campaign. *The potential for further preservation of volumes and value if the current Two Sides success rate to stop Greenwash is improved and extended to more countries.

PEFC invites stakeholders globally to nominate candidates from the conformity assessment community, civil society, and customers and consumers, to complete the Certification Body Requirements for Sustainable Forest Management Certification Working Group. This temporary working group is responsible for the development of PEFC ST 1004, Requirements for Certification Bodies conducting PEFC Forest Management certification. This standard will set the requirements for certification bodies that carry out PEFC forest management certification, replacing the current Annexe 6. Work on the new PEFC ST 1004 is already well advanced, with the working group expected to work on finalizing the document over the next months.

When it comes to transporting goods across the world, no other mode of transport is as effective or as economical as maritime transport. Data from the International Chamber of Shipping indicates that nearly 11 billion tonnes of cargo are transported by ship each year, making it indispensable to our daily lives. At the same time, the maritime sector also emits about 940 million tonnes of CO2 annually and is responsible for about 2.5 per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. The sector is scrambling to rapidly reduce emissions by investing in digital technologies, energy-efficient vessels and clean fuels. UPM is dependent on shipping too to get its products to its customers across the world, and oftentimes, the company helps transport other non-UPM cargo as well. As the arm responsible for UPM’s global sea transportation and port operations, UPM Logistics has been time chartering nine vessels in Europe to carry out the company’s cargo shipping needs.

Stakeholders from around the world are invited to give feedback on NCCF’s Trees outside Forests Certification Standard. Deadline for comments is 25 November 2021. Give your feedback now! This is the first time Network for Certification and Conservation of Forests (NCCF), the PEFC national member for India, has applied for PEFC endorsement of its national Trees outside Forests (TOF) certification standard. TOF certification was one of the innovative developments of the 2018 PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard. After developing the national standard in line with PEFC requirements, NCCF submitted it to PEFC for endorsement. The standard is now undergoing the PEFC assessment process, carried out by an independent PEFC Registered Assessor. It must pass this process and be approved by the PEFC General Assembly before it can achieve endorsement.

The Circular Plastics Taskforce (CPT) has completed the first phase of its efforts to implement a circular economy for plastics in Quebec and Canada. Officially launched in 2020, the CPT is a collaborative effort of organizations interested in finding concrete solutions to improve the management of post-consumer plastics. It brings together five major food, beverage and packaging companies in Canada (Cascades, Danone Canada, Dyne-a-pak, Keurig Dr Pepper Canada and TC Transcontinental), the Chemical Industry Association of Canada (CIAC) and Éco Entreprises Québec (ÉEQ). The first phase of the CPT’s project was completed with the financial support of Environment and Climate Change Canada and ÉEQ, and the active support of several public and private organizations. The objective of Phase I was to conduct a detailed mapping of the value chain of the plastics recycling industry in Québec, to determine market needs and to establish optimization hypotheses aimed at achieving the required specifications, following a reverse engineering approach. The work completed in this first phase consisted of five activities: 1) establishing an understanding of the situation in consultation with stakeholders; 2) analyzing potential markets; 3) establishing a profile of processors, recyclers and sorting centres; 4) developing a report, findings and recommendations, and; 5) setting up and carrying out simulation tests to validate the potential of the identified optimization paths.

Greif, Inc. announced it has joined the Alliance to End Plastic Waste (Alliance), a global non-profit organization consisting of over 50 companies committed to ending plastic waste in the environment and protecting the planet. “As a leader in industrial packaging, we recognize the responsibility we have to reduce the environmental impact of our products and operations and contribute towards a more circular economy,” said Ole Rosgaard, Greif’s Chief Operating Officer. “We are excited to join other like-minded companies as a member of the Alliance. Through open collaboration and leadership provided by the Alliance, we can advance the need for more sustainable packaging and tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues. I look forward to working closely with other Alliance members to advance our shared ambitions and contribute to more sustainable outcomes.”

As part of its commitment to its ambitious 2030 Sustainability strategy, Huhtamaki submitted a series of Climate Change mitigation targets in 2020. These have now been approved and validated by the global recognized Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Huhtamaki is committed to limiting the global temperature rise to well-below 2°C in its operations and value chain and will reduce its direct and electricity greenhouse gas emissions by 27.5% by 2030 and greenhouse gas emissions from its product end-of-life by 13.5% also by the same timeframe. The targets are key stepping blocks to Huhtamaki being able to deliver on its 2030 Strategy and its ambition to become the first choice in sustainable packaging solutions. Sustainability lies at the center of Huhtamaki’s 2030 Strategy and setting science-based reduction targets and aiming for carbon neutral production are an important part of the Company’s 2030 sustainability ambition, published in March 2020. The Science Based Targets initiative has now approved Huhtamaki’s emission reduction targets.

For too long, small and independent foresters around the world have considered sustainable forest management certification out of reach. Something only for large corporations, or industrial-scale landowners. But by working together, small-scale certified Vietnamese foresters are protecting Vietnamese forests and breaking into international markets at the same time. PEFC and the Vietnam Forest Certification System (VFCS), our member for Vietnam, are ready to assist with this change. PEFC was founded by a group of small-scale forest owners, and commitment to independent foresters is deeply embedded in our values. VFCS is the internationally recognised national forest certification system of Vietnam, and they drive the uptake of sustainable forest management. The majority of Vietnam’s forests are owned by smallholders, with individual plots as small as 0.5 hectares. But the forest doesn’t care how many hectares a forester owns, or what kind of supply chain they have. The forest’s only investment is in its own survival.

Paper Excellence commends the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) Man and the Biosphere Program decision to accept the Howe Sound Biosphere Region into its family of Biosphere Reserves. The network of Biosphere Reserves includes 701 sites in 124 countries around the world. The application was submitted by the Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society. UNESCO Biosphere Regions are learning places for sustainable development. They are sites for testing interdisciplinary approaches to understanding and managing changes and interactions between social and ecological systems. Each region has three complementary and balanced functions including: 1. Conservation of biodiversity and cultural diversity 2. Economic development that is socio-culturally and environmentally sustainable 3. Logistic support, underpinning development through research, monitoring, education and training

For decades now, billions of dollars in recycling infrastructure investment by the paper industry combined with support from consumers, communities and businesses have made the recycling of paper-based packaging an overwhelming success across North America. Even so, the great success story of recycled packaging has been muddled by competing claims between and among paper manufacturers and the environmental community about how much recycled content packaging products should contain. Unfortunately, consumers, brands and retailers have been badly served by the black-or-white nature of this debate. There’s no question that recycled content contributes to the sustainability of paper-based packaging and to a more sustainable, circular economy. But does every product have to contain 100% recycled content to be sufficiently sustainable, as some insist? The answer is no. To begin with, recycled fiber has to originate somewhere, and that origin is the virgin fiber that made up the paper product that got recycled in the first place. click read more below for additional information

At UPM, we have zero tolerance for deforestration and have strict processes in place to ensure that forests always grow more than they are used. In the North, commercial forests have a growth cycle of between 60 to 100 years, so the forests we plant today will be harvested by our children and our children’s children. Jue Wang, a Senior Environmental Specialist with UPM Specialty Papers, says that there is a false belief that using paper and pulp drive deforestation. The key element to commercial forestry is imitating how natural forests grow, she adds: “We analyse the differences and try to mimic them, such as increasing the share of broadleaf trees and leaving deadwood as a habitat for insects. This way, forests can be healthier and more resilient to the environment.” Forest planning generally covers a period of ten years and defines the activity proposed for the area each year. “Through skilled management, the trees can better adapt to climate change and eventually produce a better quality of wood. It’s not about getting the most trees, but to obtain the healthiest forests in the long term,” says Wang,

On the eve of the United Nations International Day of Democracy, the assessment of the Myanmar forest certification system has been suspended with immediate effect due to concerns that Myanmar-based stakeholders are unable to participate in the assessment process. Open, transparent, and meaningful stakeholder engagement is core to PEFC processes, which includes the ability of all participants to speak freely without fear of reprisal. Information received following the launch of the global public consultation, and integral part of the assessment process, indicates the risk of potential or actual self-censorship or self-imposed restriction by Myanmar-based stakeholders. The recent arrest of Kyaw Min Htut, an environmental and democracy activist and former civil society representative on the Myanmar Forest Certification Committee, exemplifies the restrictions to speak freely.

Ahlstrom-Munksjö has been awarded with EcoVadis Gold rating for the company’s sustainability management and performance for a fifth consecutive year. This places Ahlstrom-Munksjö in the top 2% of suppliers assessed in the pulp, paper and paperboard manufacturing industry. Compared with the results from the previous year, progress was made in ethics. EcoVadis is a globally recognized business sustainability rating provider. The Corporate Social Responsibility assessment criteria include four themes; environment, labor and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement. The EcoVadis method is based on internationally adopted principles for sustainability reporting, such as the Global Reporting Initiative, United Nations Global Compact and ISO 26000, and is audited by independent sustainability experts. “We use EcoVadis to identify our key strengths and development areas to further improve our corporate social responsibility and sustainability. The renewed Gold rating is a result of excellent work between different internal and external stakeholders who all contribute to our overall scoring, paving the way for even more sustainable business,” summarized Robin Guillaud, Executive Vice President of Sustainability, Innovation and Commercial Excellence.

Berry Global Group, Inc. announced its joining of The Recycling Partnership’s Polypropylene Recycling Coalition, which is aimed at increasing recycling access for polypropylene. This announcement extends Berry’s goal of enhancing recycling infrastructure as part of the quest toward a circular economy. As a cross-industry effort, Berry joins steering committee members Keurig Dr Pepper, Braskem, NextGen Consortium, and the Walmart Foundation, along with other members of the polypropylene value chain. The coalition has: *Contributed $4.2 million in grants to 13 recycling facilities to positively impact nearly 15 million U.S. residents –– almost 6 percent of the U.S. population. *Given financial awards across the United States to increase polypropylene recovery by 13 million pounds annually. *Supported targeted consumer education efforts and infrastructure improvements.

Earlier this year, European Aluminium and Metal Packaging Europe (MPE) launched a joint Roadmap to move toward achieving 100% aluminum beverage can recycling in Europe by 2030. While the record recycling rate for aluminum beverage cans sits at an impressive 76.1% in Europe¹, the industry recognizes that there is more work to do. Achieving the ambitious goal of a 100% real recycling rate in the next ten years will require close collaboration between aluminum sheet producers, can manufacturers, recycling facilities and consumers. Each party can join the pledge to the Roadmap and encourage their peers and communities to do more on the journey to accelerate sustainability. Our commitment toward achieving this goal is reflected in our own ambitious Twentyby30 program. The main components of our Twentyby30 initiative that cover recycling focus on two objectives: to raise recycling rates in our major markets, and as a result, to improve recycled content averages in our products.

In recent years, a variety of sustainability labels have found their way onto paper and pulp products to highlight their environmental performance, recyclability, and the role that paper and board play in the circular economy. To meet the market demand for an increasing volume of labelled products, Mercer has committed to an ambitious goal: by 2030, at least 80% of the wood used to manufacture our products will be certified. But trade, and the industry in particular, reach their limits when it comes to making products with both an FSC certification and their availability in sufficient quantities. This is especially problematic if the raw materials are to come from a regional source. There are many reasons for the insufficient provision of FSC wood from German lands for pulp and thus for paper production. At the end of all considerations, it is the complexity of the FSC system, with many rules and requirements, that prevents greater success in Germany. This complex system also prevents the assertion of a great idea: that sustainable management in the forest takes into account the interests of forestry and forest management, social concerns, and environmental interests.

E-commerce in the United States grew by 44 percent in 2020, and with that growth came a rise in package deliveries — and the use of paper packaging materials. While the pandemic certainly spurred the increase seen last year, online shopping was already on the rise, meaning demand for paper packaging likely will continue to grow. This is especially true as consumers learn more about the environmental cost of consumption. In a study of U.S. packaging preferences, former Two Sides North America, Inc. President Phil Reibel said, “Consumers are becoming more aware of available packaging choices for the items they buy, which in turn is influencing packaging decisions by businesses, particularly in the retail sector.” The 2020 report showed that among the consumers surveyed: *57 percent are trying to reduce their use of plastic packaging. *57 percent prefer online orders to be delivered in paper packaging instead of plastic. *70 percent want online orders to be delivered in right-sized packages that don’t waste empty space. *66 percent believe paper or corrugated is better for the environment than other packaging materials. *69 percent choose paper or corrugated because it is compostable at home. *More than 50 percent think paper is easier to recycle, less expensive, and lighter weight than other packaging materials. *38 percent would even be willing to spend more on a product if it were packaged sustainably.

On the Blandin forest lands in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, UPM foresters have found a smart way to make their woods future-proof through a consistent biodiversity concept, while safeguarding wood production. Forest ecologist Sawyer Scherer explains how. Sawyer Scherer answers the most important question first: What exactly does Smart Forestry℠ mean? “Foresters used to look solely at trees and their productivity, we focus on the entire ecosystem and its long-term development. We understand that it helps everyone if we gear our forest management more specifically to nature and its needs - the climate, biodiversity, people, and the company. Following these guidelines, we have developed our own concept at UPM Blandin." Scherer, 30, a forest ecologist who, together with four foresters and the Manager of Forest Resources, oversee UPM's forests in Minnesota – covering a total area of 1880 km2, about two and a half times the area of New York City. The team ensures that the forest remains productive – with the best possible plantings, the right harvest at the right moment, and optimal regeneration.

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), participating in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress today, shared the news of its new forest certification standard revisions, which advance solutions to some of the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges. The new standards build on SFI’s announcement at the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2016 of the formation of the Conservation Impact Project, which is focused on addressing climate change, biodiversity, and water quality on the SFI footprint. This combination of SFI’s standards and conservation work helps provide nature-based solutions to global challenges such as climate change, while contributing to biodiversity. Coupled with SFI’s scale, as represented in hectares influenced by SFI standards and by the strength of the SFI network, including conservation collaborations, this combination of standards and conservation can provide transformational solutions.

The year 2021 has become an important year for the U.K. when it comes to taking action on climate change. In addition to hosting the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) later this year, the U.K. government will set the world’s most ambitious climate change target – to reduce emissions by 78% by 2035 compared to 1990 levels.[1] U.K. consumers are also becoming more environmentally savvy. In 2020, recycling rates for aluminum beverage can recycling reached 82%, its highest rate ever, and a 6% year-on-year increase from 2019. According to Alupro, there is an increasing awareness among U.K. consumers about the benefits of recycling and a significant shift in their behaviors. The rise in the volume of aluminum recovered from incinerator bottom ash can also be attributed to several new companies being approved to issue Packaging Recovery Notes and the commissioning of several new U.K. energy recovery facilities.

As part of its efforts to support global solutions to the climate crisis, Amazon announced the launch of the Agroforestry and Restoration Accelerator in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, a global environmental organization. The Accelerator will create a more sustainable source of income for thousands of local farmers in the Brazilian Amazonian state of Pará, while also restoring native rainforests and fighting climate change by naturally trapping and storing carbon. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, nature-based solutions have a critical role to play in avoiding the worst effects of climate change. Governments and the private sector can both reduce carbon emissions and remove carbon from the atmosphere by investing in nature-based solutions at scale. The Agroforestry and Restoration Accelerator is one such carbon removal project, and part of Amazon’s commitment to meeting The Climate Pledge, which the company co-founded with Global Optimism. Signatories to the Pledge commit to reaching net-zero carbon by 2040—10 years ahead of the Paris Agreement.

Tetra Pak has released its annual Sustainability Report, outlining the progress made on various aspects of sustainability throughout its business operations in 2020, shedding light on its future commitments and ambitions. Adolfo Orive, President & CEO at Tetra Pak, said: “Our sustainability report reiterates the need for a comprehensive, holistic approach to sustainability – where we are protecting the food that is produced globally, the people that we work with, and the planet we live in. Towards that end, we have maintained particular focus on reducing our carbon footprint, increasing recycling, protecting biodiversity and enhancing access to safe, nutritious food for people worldwide. The last year has seen significant progress across all these areas, as well as towards our future ambitions to achieve net zero emissions across the value chain by 2050 and to deliver the world’s most sustainable food package – one that is made solely from responsibly sourced renewable or recycled materials, is fully recyclable and carbon neutral.”

Stakeholders from around the world are invited to give feedback on the revised Uruguayan PEFC Scheme. Deadline for comments is 21 October. Give your feedback now! PEFC Uruguay revised the country’s national forest certification system following the entry into force of the revised 2018 PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard. The Uruguayan system was submitted to PEFC after being revised in line with PEFC requirements. The national system is now undergoing the PEFC assessment process, carried out by an independent PEFC Registered Assessor. It must pass this assessment to maintain its PEFC endorsement. An important aspect of the assessment process is the public consultation. Over the sixty-day consultation, stakeholders from around the world can give their comments and provide feedback on any aspect of the system. The Registered Assessor will use the information received from this consultation in their assessment of the system.

The environmental degradation that has taken placed over the past several decades could have serious consequences for the future of the planet if action is not taken swiftly. According to the UN, if the global population reaches 9.6 billion by 2050, the equivalent of almost three planets could be required to provide the natural resources needed to sustain current lifestyles.[1] Moving away from the traditional “take, make, dispose” approach to production and working towards a Circular model, which replaces waste with the continual use of resources, is the way forward. Steel packaging continues to help drive the progress toward the Circular Economy in Europe. In 2019, the format achieved a record 84% recycling rate. The figure represents a 1.5% increase from 2018 and is the ninth consecutive year in which the overall recycling rate has risen. According to APEAL, the Association of European Producers of Steel Packaging, notable rises in countries such as Italy and Poland can be attributed to increased separate collection and greater public awareness of the benefits of steel recycling.

Successful pilot projects to certify rubber producers large and small, and the supply chain companies that process rubber, set a new standard for environmental sustainability in the rubber industry. On 22 September, PEFC will hold a webinar to help other rubber producers follow their lead. Natural rubber represents a USD 300 billion supply chain. Most of this rubber is produced by independent smallholders in Southeast Asia, on the borders of some of the world’s most ecologically important forest areas. Sourcing this rubber sustainably helps protect these forests and is a necessary step towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals before 2030. Sustainable forest management and chain of custody certification are relatively new for the rubber industry. But early adopters are already on the move. We have piloted certification for both natural rubber and rubberwood across Southeast Asia. Working with growers of all sizes, we have developed group certification solutions that allow smallholders to band together and prove their sustainable practices. These early adopters demonstrate that certification is entirely achievable. By getting certified, they both open up market access for their rubber, protect adjacent forests and improve their own livelihood.

Cascades is pleased to announce that the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has approved its greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets. The targets submitted are therefore in line with the methodology developed by the organization, which is a partnership between the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the United Nations Global Compact, the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF). The SBTi drives ambitious climate action in the private sector by enabling companies to set science-based emissions reduction targets. Cascades is therefore joining the global movement of companies committed to climate action. In its fourth Sustainability Action Plan launched last June, Cascades announced that it is determined to: *Reduce its mills' Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 38.7% (kg of CO2 eq. / metric tonne of saleable products); *Reduce Scope 1 and 2 absolute greenhouse gas emissions from other emissions sources, including its converting plants, by 27.5% (kg of CO2 eq.); *Reduce Scope 3 (supply chain) greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 22% (kg of CO2 eq. / metric tonne of saleable products). To reach its targets, Cascades will carry out a series of in-plant projects, increase its consumption of renewable energy and engage the players in its supply chain.

Consumers are becoming increasingly conscious of their impact on the environment, and the majority of UK consumers believe the recycling rate of paper isn’t very high. This low consumer awareness is worrying when paper is, in fact, one of the most recycled materials in the world with a recycling rate of 74%.[1] A study, conducted by the not-for-profit organisation Two Sides and independent research company Toluna, aims to understand changing consumer perceptions towards print and paper. This unique insight into consumer attitudes towards one of the world’s oldest and universally used materials, will be repeated biennially to monitor and report upon evolving consumer perceptions, as environmental awareness intensifies and alternative digital channels of communication become prevalent. Paper is one of the world’s most recycled materials. In Europe 74% of paper, 56 million tonnes, was collected and recycled in 2020.[2] Paper Packaging has an even higher recycling rate of 85%.[3]

Several tributaries of the Gimån river in Jämtland are being restored in a project that aims to recreate habitats for aninals like freshwater pearl mussels, trout and otters. The initiative is part of the EU project Rivers of LIFE. SCA is involved as a landowner and is also carrying out its own measures. Rivers of LIFE is a major conservation project within EU that will run until 2025 and aims to protect and recreate nature conservation values that are present or have been present in the aquatic environment. The project will restore habitats that were changed during the era when streams were used to transport timber, and restore parts of rivers and watercourses in Jämtland and Gävleborg. The measures will benefit species living in and around the watercourses. The goal is to restore 120 km of stream habitats.

The forest is not only a habitat for animals and plants but a retreat for people as well. It is also the economic basis for Mercer Timber Products and all companies in the Forestry sector – thus a driver of value creation, especially in rural areas. The industry is exemplary in showing that this is not a contradiction: through the sustainable management of German forests and the efficient use of our resource, wood, the timber industry is making an important contribution to climate protection and ultimately a sustainable future for us all. Wood is the most important renewable raw material in Germany. It plays an outstanding role in climate-neutral value creation and energy generation. Thanks to its sustainable management, the forests in Germany have been supplying wood for a wide variety of purposes for over 300 years. Every year, more wood grows in Germany than is used. Around 32 percent of Germany’s total area is covered with forest, making the country one of the most densely forested areas in Europe. As a PEFC-certified company, Mercer Timber Products supports this sustainable management. After all, forest management is the basis of our existence. In addition, Mercer’s use of wood takes an important step in the shift from fossil fuel energy. The bark from the harvested logs is used directly in the biomass cogeneration plant, which generates green electricity and heat for the drying process.

“Copy paper and tissue paper are some of the most used paper products, but companies have not yet widely adopted sustainable paper in China,” explains Ma Lichao from FSC China. City Forest initiative is driving the change. In addition to UPM, organisations such as Kimberly-Clark, one of the world’s largest tissue paper producers, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) are together promoting the use of sustainable papers in China. The FSC has been expanding its partnership with Chinese businesses since 2019, awarding the “City Forest” certificate to office buildings that uses FSC-certified tissue paper. So far, 34 business buildings in seven major Chinese cities have participated in the program.

The Uruguayan PEFC Scheme has been submitted to PEFC for assessment. The public consultation, which is your chance to give your feedback on this revised system, will run from 23 August to 21 October. PEFC Uruguay revised the country’s national forest certification system following the entry into force of the revised 2018 PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard. To provide you with additional information, we are holding a webinar on 23 August, at 14:00 CEST. The webinar is free to attend, and everyone is welcome.

A recent article in The New York Times, (“Maine Will Make Companies Pay for Recycling. Here’s How It Works.” 7/21/21) explored Maine’s dramatic new recycling law. But it also missed the point on paper recycling. In a letter to the editor, AF&PA responded to set the record straight: Telling readers the U.S. “recycling rate for plastics and paper products” is 32 percent is like telling them the average elevation of Denver and Death Valley is about half a mile. It may be technically true, but it clouds over more than it reveals. Whatever is true of plastic, the fact is that for all paper, the recycling rate was 66 percent in 2020. The recycling rate for paper-based packaging specifically—like cardboard boxes and corrugated containers—was a whopping 89 percent. In fact, more paper is recycled by weight from municipal waste streams than plastic, glass, steel and aluminum combined. In the context of a story about proposals in several jurisdictions that would turn our current recycling system on its head, these distinctions matter a great deal. Extended producer responsibility programs would disrupt the most effective recycling streams in the interest of improving the least effective, while imposing large new costs on producers who are already being responsible by investing capital to innovate and use a highly renewable and recyclable material—paper.

Novolex released its third annual sustainability report, building on disclosures in prior editions and including many new topics reflecting Novolex’s values and commitments as well as stakeholder interests. Expansion of content continues Novolex’s journey of aligning environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting with Sustainable Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) formats as well as documenting the company’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. New topics in the 2020 report include a greenhouse gas (GHG) target as well as disclosures related to raw material sourcing, focused giving, cybersecurity, diversity and inclusion, human rights and others. Highlights of the new content include Novolex’s first timebound target for greenhouse gas reduction from operations of 20% by 2025. Additionally, the report provides readers with greater information about Novolex products and the raw materials used to make them, aligning with SASB reporting standards for packaging companies. In 2020, 49% of raw materials were derived from renewable and post-consumer recycled (PCR) sources.

In our most recent EcoVadis sustainability assessment, we achieved ‘Platinum’ rating, which places us in the top 1% of companies assessed by EcoVadis globally . Notably, we scored 90% for our performance in sustainable procurement, with praise for our Supplier Engagement programme and FSC chain of custody certification, and 80% on environmental issues, with praise for “exceptional” reporting on environmental issues. We placed in the top 2% in our industry overall.

Stakeholders from around the world are invited to give feedback on the regional forest certification system for the Balkans. Deadline for comments is 2 October. Give your feedback now! Our national members for Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Slovenia developed a harmonized framework for their national forest management standards to create this regional system for the Western Balkans. By developing a regional system, it enables our members to maximise their impact and reach, share resources and knowledge, and reduce the costs in developing and running a forest certification system. The system is now undergoing the PEFC assessment process, carried out by an independent PEFC Registered Assessor. It must pass this process and be approved by the PEFC General Assembly before it can achieve endorsement.

The Myanmar Forest Certification Scheme was submitted to PEFC for endorsement last month. The public consultation, which is your chance to give your feedback on this new system, will run from 16 August to 14 October. This is the first time the Myanmar Forest Certification Committee (MFCC), the PEFC national member for Myanmar, has applied for PEFC endorsement of the country’s national forest certification system. To provide you with additional information, we are holding a webinar on 16 August, at 10:00 CEST. The webinar is free to attend, and everyone is welcome. Register for the webinar at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYsfuCurDgiE9W7O8dsRj12DlKdZb0Md7Tn

The Ahlstrom-Munksjö Mosinee plant in Wisconsin is teaming up with Via Separations to pilot a cutting edge energy efficiency project. Together, they are validating Via Separations’ Black Liquor Concentration System, which is driven by an innovation in membrane material and system design. Black liquor is the byproduct from the kraft process when digesting pulpwood into paper pulp removing lignin and other extractives from the wood, to free the cellulose fibers and allow for the papermaking process to occur. The new system will reduce energy requirements for this process, increase mill throughput, and increase production of coproducts which are used as a heating source for the plant. “In partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Industrial Technology Validation program and Ahlstrom-Munksjö, Via Separations is proud to support this trial. We can reduce the resource requirement per unit of pulp produced by implementing a step change process intensification,” said Shreya Dave, CEO of Via Separations. "At commercial scale, the technology has the potential to provide a 64% decrease in energy demand in the evaporator process."

Berry Global Group, Inc. announced the approval of projects that will help the Company achieve its new milestone goal to eliminate 100 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity from its operations. Berry surpassed its initial target to eliminate 1 million kWh from the Company’s operations in 2020 and is leveraging that success to reach its 100 million kWh goal. With an original deadline of September 2021, Berry is ahead of schedule in achieving these project approvals. Through the sharing of best practices, Berry team members collaborated across 324 energy saving projects to achieve record energy reduction. In addition, five million kWh were saved through improvements that did not require capital investment. These reductions in energy directly reduce Berry’s scope 1 and 2 emissions, which inherently reduce customer’s scope 3 emissions. The emissions saved from this remarkable reduction in energy is equal to the CO2 emissions to power over 8,500 homes for one year, charge 8.6 billion smartphones, and greenhouse gas emissions of 15,000 passenger vehicles for one year.1

The print and paper advocacy group, Two Sides, are excited to announce its newest member, one of the UK’s leading printers, Go Inspire Group. Go Inspire Group is a Marketing performance company that invests in their people, practices, and the latest technology so they remain efficient and are able to progress their environmental journey. “At Go Inspire Group, we know that your marketing print is more than just a piece of paper. It represents your brand and is a powerful, persuasive and proven addition to any marketing strategy.” says Patrick Headley, CEO at Go Inspire.

The PEFC Balkan Forest Certification Scheme was submitted to PEFC for endorsement earlier this month. The public consultation, which is your chance to give your feedback on this new system, will run from 4 August to 2 October. Our national members for Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Slovenia developed a harmonized framework for their national forest management standards to create this regional system for the Western Balkans. This is the second regional system submitted for endorsement. It follows the Congo Basin regional system, which is currently under assessment. By developing a regional system, it enables our members to maximise their impact and reach, share resources and knowledge, and reduce the costs in developing and running a forest certification system.

The Association National Voluntary Forest Certification System, our member for Ukraine, is the latest national forest certification system to achieve PEFC endorsement. “The date 19 June 2021 has become a holiday for our organisation, the day our system was endorsed by PEFC,” said Mariya Maha, the National Secretary for the Association National Voluntary Forest Certification System. “It was a long, two-year path, with a lot of a challenges, but also with a lot of a small wins and the greatest thing is that we have made plenty of strong connections with all stakeholders.” After developing the national system in line with PEFC requirements, the Association submitted the system to PEFC for endorsement in 2020. The national system then underwent the PEFC assessment process, carried out by an independent PEFC Registered Assessor, as well as a public consultation.

We’re partnering with One Tree Planted to plant more than 50,000 new trees across Europe and North America over the next five years as part of our commitment to protecting biodiversity and supporting the natural environment. This partnership is a new addition to the existing forestry and tree planting activity across our company. We’re committed to protect forests and enhance biodiversity wherever we operate by 2025. Through the DS Smith Charitable Foundation, we agreed to fund a tree for each of our 29,000 employees this year. The first wave of 15,000 trees will be planted in forests in Western Jutland, Denmark and in the Nucsoara commune of Argeș County, Romania. The remaining 14,000 trees for this year have been earmarked for other planting initiatives in Europe and North America.

European Commission has yesterday, 14th of July, published an extensive set of proposals on climate and energy policies, framing the pathway to carbon neutrality by 2050. These proposals begin a lengthy process to agree on the details. UPM is committed to supporting EU’s climate goals and has committed to the UN’s Business Ambition for 1.5°C. “We are in a unique position to offer positive climate impact through sustainable forestry, emission reductions in operations and by providing climate-friendly alternatives for substituting fossil consumption. The proposal sets a clear signal for the need to reduce emissions and focus on zero-emission energy”, states Stefan Sundman, Vice President, Public Affairs, UPM. In recent years, UPM has strongly invested in innovations that provide renewable drop-in solutions to substitute fossils. For example, UPM has invested heavily in biorefineries that provide new sustainable alternatives in advanced biofuels and biochemicals.

PEFC is embarking on a four-year journey with the ASEAN Furniture Industry Council (AFIC) to improve sustainability outcomes throughout the furniture supply chain in the ASEAN region. As consumers worldwide demand sustainable products across a variety of fields, every industry must adapt to satisfy their requests. Furniture customers are no different, and sustainable furniture is a highly sought-after product. Furniture supply chain sustainability and responsible procurement are critical to make sure that we all benefit from the many products that forests provide now, while ensuring these forests will be around for generations to come. AFIC and PEFC are therefore starting on a strategic four-year sustainability roadmap to promote furniture supply chain sustainability and responsible procurement.

Trees and wood fiber are more than just the renewable natural resources from which we make our everyday products. They serve as an important source of renewable energy. In 2020, 73 percent of the energy for our pulp and paper mills came from renewable sources. This is better than the industry average of about 65 percent, according to the American Forest and Paper Association. Our mills also generated the equivalent of 71 percent of their electricity needs, reducing their dependence on the grid. This renewable energy comes from biomass — byproducts from our manufacturing process, such as black liquor, bark and wood residues. Unlike coal or other fossil fuels, energy captured from biomass results in net zero emissions of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere over the long term. Biomass (wood, wood waste and biofuels) is the United States’ largest source of domestic renewable energy, supplying more energy than wind and solar combined.

Mondi Group and the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO), announce a three-year partnership to identify science-based viable responses to climate-related threats to forests and forest-based industries. This partnership comes at a crucial time when drought, extreme weather events and outbreaks of forest pests and diseases are causing severe damage to forests in many parts of the world. Joining forces to mitigate the impact of climate change is vital for people’s wellbeing, biodiversity, the economy and the forest industry, in particular.

Two Sides, are excited to announce its newest member, Pepper Communications Ltd. The planet positive marketing communications company that holds the environment at the heart of its operations. Pepper’s bespoke climate friendly production facility offers a complete end-to-end print solution to help solve clients’ direct mail challenges through bespoke campaigns and designs. The quality of their facilities enables them to offer a complete service from design and pre-press through to delivery and fulfilment. Their success is not only due to their quality of work; it is down to the passion from the team of craftsmen onboard and the way they treat their clients and the environment. “At Pepper, we don’t settle for a job well done, we strive for the ‘WOW’ factor. We ensure quality and speed to market, whilst ensuring our impact on the environment is climate positive always.” says Jake Whitford, Operations Director at Pepper Communications.

Sonoco announced new commitments to advance its environmental progress by setting ambitious goals to reduce its global greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris Climate Agreement – to limit global temperatures to warming to well-below 2° C above pre-industrial levels. These emission reduction targets have recently been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Sonoco has committed to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2030 from a 2020 base year. The Company has also committed to reduce absolute scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 13.5 percent from a 2019 base year by working with its customer and suppliers to develop innovative packaging solutions that reduce packaging waste and improve recyclability. In addition, the Company is actively studying necessary operational changes, technology developments and market changes that would be required to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emission by 2050.

Carbon sequestration efforts can help address climate change. Among the efforts championed by scientists and politicians, trees could be among the most significant. With more than a century of experience and expertise in sustainable forestry, we see the many environmental benefits of trees and responsibly managed forests. Our work with forest certification organizations and landowners has contributed to keeping the forests near our pulp and paper mills healthy and profitable. We source wood responsibly, with 41 percent of our wood deliveries in 2020 coming from third-party certified forests, and we are committed to keeping forests as forests by planting more trees to replace those that are used to produce paper and wood pulp.

Corporate giants are increasingly making ambitious climate policies, pledging to slash emissions and become more sustainable in the coming years. Companies from Google to Estée Lauder have made a pledge. These commitments create ripple effects throughout the supply chain, pushing other firms to become more sustainable themselves if they want to do business with the corporate giants. “It’s in [suppliers’] best interest to get on board with sustainability and show results,” Phil Riebel, the president of Sustainable Paper Group, tells NPTA’s Lauren Liacouras in the latest PaperChain Chat. Sustainable Paper Group has a tool that makes it easy for the paper industry to prioritize sustainability: the Environmental Paper Assessment Tool (EPAT). Riebel describes EPAT as a “sustainability scorecard for paper products and paper-based packaging.” EPAT uses more than 25 metrics to measure and examine the environmental footprint of different paper products. Watch the full interview on Youtube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btufIaIBZVs

Leading retailers H&M Group, Ingka Group (IKEA), Kingfisher plc and Walmart today launched a new climate change initiative – the Race to Zero Breakthroughs: Retail Campaign – in partnership with the COP26 High Level Climate Action Champions and supported by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). Retailers have pledged their support to accelerate a movement in the retail industry to drive climate action and encourage other retailers to set out their plans to achieve 1.5 degree aligned carbon reduction targets. The retail sector faces unprecedented challenges due to climate change, which have only been accentuated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The imperative to take action to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius has never been higher. Despite bold actions from some leading retail brands, a decarbonization pathway for the sector is notably absent, with only 5% of retail businesses – by total global industry revenues – having committed to taking action to limit global warming in accordance with the Paris Agreement goals.

Norske Skog has expanded its partnership with Ocean GeoLoop to support development, testing and commercialisation of their highly promising Carbon Capture, Storage and Utilisation (CCS/CCU) technologies. Through this partnership, Norske Skog aims to pursue the opportunity to become CO2 net negative, and to explore economically viable models for utilisation of biogenic CO2. “The green shift has been a key priority at Norske Skog for several years. In Norway in 2020, our fossil CO2 emissions were just above 15,000 tonnes out of Norway’s total of approximately 50 million tonnes. The reduction of fossil CO2 emissions has with significant success been incentivised by Governments and international organisations, but limited attention has been given to biogenic CO2 emissions. As Norske Skog is approaching zero fossil CO2 emissions in Norway, we will start to explore economically viable opportunities for utilisation of biogenic CO2.

Stakeholders from around the world are invited to give feedback on the revised Danish forest certification system. Deadline for comments is 2 September. Give your feedback now! PEFC Denmark revised the country’s national forest certification system following the entry into force of the revised 2018 PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard. The Danish system was submitted to PEFC after being revised in line with PEFC requirements. The national system is now undergoing the PEFC assessment process, carried out by an independent PEFC Registered Assessor. It must pass this assessment to maintain its PEFC endorsement.

With pandemic lockdowns as a backdrop, banks, utilities, telecoms and other large service providers boosted their efforts to switch customers from paper to electronic communication over the last 15 months, and with those efforts came a new wave of misleading environmental claims about paper – greenwashing. The Two Sides Anti-Greenwashing Campaign mobilized to push back against this tide of new claims in January after a 10-month pandemic-related interruption, and wins have been steadily increasing. Thanks to this renewed effort, 14 companies have changed or removed misleading environmental claims related to print and paper so far this year, including large banks, utilities and notably, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, whose communications reach 44 million Americans or 15% of the U.S. population. This is in addition to seven wins in 2020 on greenwashing cases that were already in progress.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock issued the following statement in response to the Oregon Legislature passing the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act (SB 582). “AF&PA looks forward to working with Oregon Governor Kate Brown and the Department of Environmental Quality DEQ to make sure that highly recycled materials, like paper, are not penalized or forced to subsidize plastic recycling. While well-intended, SB 582 has significant consequences for small businesses and manufacturers, including the paper and wood products industry, which employs more than 28,000 people in Oregon. “Oregon’s Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act may make sense for hazardous or hard-to-recycle materials. However, paper is a recycling success. Almost two-thirds of all paper was recycled last year, and for over a decade, paper recycling has met or exceeded 63 percent. AF&PA members have a demonstrated record making our products more sustainable and circular. We look forward to working on an implementation plan that recognizes the recycling and sustainability success of paper.”

The Fashion for Global Climate Action initiative calls on the fashion industry to acknowledge the contribution of the sector to climate change and our shared responsibility to strive towards climate neutrality for a safer planet. Through collective action and bold leadership, we have the power to make this fast and drastic transformation. By signing the Charter, PEFC demonstrates our commitment to playing our part to ensure the fashion sector is on the path to a low-carbon future. We express our intent to support implementation of the principles enshrined in the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action in accordance with our mandates and to work collaboratively with our peers and relevant stakeholders to develop, implement and enhance the climate action agenda in fashion.

As the world faces up to the climate emergency, urgent action is required if we are to reduce our individual and collective environmental impact. Packaging has an important role to play. The environmental impacts of plastic packaging are well known. 40% of plastic produced is for packaging, while plastic packaging accounts for 50% of plastic waste. Answers must be found to boost the production and use of sustainable packaging, with renewable and recyclable solutions increasingly in demand. A 2020 Two Sides Survey on European Packaging Preferences found that paperboard packaging is favoured by consumers as being better for the environment and considered easier to recycle and home compost. Increasing the use of sustainable, certified forest-based packaging has huge potential to not only help companies meet sustainability targets, but also have a positive impact on the world’s forests and the communities that depend upon them.

The Danish Forest Certification Scheme has been submitted to PEFC for assessment. The public consultation, which is your chance to give your feedback on this revised system, will run from 5 July to 2 September 2021. PEFC Denmark revised the country’s national forest certification system following the entry into force of the revised 2018 PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard. To provide you with additional information about this revised national system, we are holding a webinar on 5 July, at 10:00 CEST. The webinar is free to attend, and everyone is welcome.

The Navigator Company is committed to sustainable development, environmental responsibility and a fair society. This is encapsulated into their marketing practices and they have chosen to partner with Love Paper to highlight and promote the sustainability of their practice and products. Love Paper, created by not-for-profit campaign Two Sides, is a global initiative aiming to improve consumer perceptions of the sustainability and attractiveness of print, paper, and paper packaging. There are many misconceptions relating to print, paper and paper-based packaging. *37% of European consumers believe that paper and paper packaging are bad for the environment. Whilst only 16% believe the paper recycling rate exceeds 60%, when in fact it’s 72%. – Cepi, 2019. (*Toluna/Two Sides, 2021.) Paper is based on wood, a natural and renewable material. As young trees grow they absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. Furthermore, as a wood product, paper also continues to store carbon throughout its lifetime.

With pandemic lockdowns as a backdrop, banks, utilities, telecoms and other large service providers boosted their efforts to switch customers from paper to electronic communication over the last 15 months, and with those efforts came a new wave of misleading environmental claims about paper – greenwashing. The Two Sides Anti-Greenwashing Campaign mobilized to push back against this tide of new claims in January after a 10-month pandemic-related interruption, and wins have been steadily increasing. Thanks to this renewed effort, 14 companies have changed or removed misleading environmental claims related to print and paper so far this year, including large banks, utilities and notably, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, whose communications reach 44 million Americans or 15% of the U.S. population. This is in addition to seven wins in 2020 on greenwashing cases that were already in progress.

Packaging has a fundamental role in building sustainable, safe, and hygienic food systems globally. We believe that the value of packaging is more than its impact on the planet. But just as with all innovations, there are challenges to be dealt with. Water, a limited yet critical resource for both natural ecosystems and human survival, is becoming increasingly scarce. Our increasing use of this natural element, which ranges from personal consumption to agricultural and industrial applications, has led to global water demand increasing at twice the rate of population growth over the past 100 years.i Whilst climate change is an important driver of geographic water shortages across the globe, an expanding population and rapid economic development have a more immediate impact on current water levels globally. According to the EU’s Joint Research Center, approximately two-thirds of the world’s population – half of whom reside in India and China – experience severe water scarcity for at least one month per year. In Europe, more than 120 million citizens lack access to safe drinking water and half a billion people across the globe face critical shortages annually. In a study of 71 cities with more than 750,000 inhabitants, it is estimated that 35 per cent are vulnerable to water scarcity at present.ii

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock issued the following statement in opposition to the Maine Legislature’s passage of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging (LD 1541): ”American Forest & Paper Association members have a measurable record of success in making paper and paper-based packaging more sustainable and circular through market-based approaches. Maine’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging ignores the fact that our industry has achieved a consistently high paper recycling rate. Last year, nearly two-thirds of all paper was recycled, and for over a decade, paper recycling has met or exceeded 63 percent. “We urge Governor Janet Mills to veto Maine LD 1541. The current bill has direct consequences for Maine’s businesses and manufacturers, including the forest products industry, which operates 35 facilities and employs more than 13,000 people in the Pine Tree State. This legislation does not recognize the material recovery and market development achievements of the paper industry, and it should be based on sound policy that benefits the environment, consumers and reflects best practices for doing business and creating jobs.”

Sappi is pleased to announce that it has joined the CBA, a new global movement which places Nature at the heart of the global circular bioeconomy. Commenting on the decision to join the CBA, Dr Tracy Wessels, General Manager Group Sustainability and R&D said: “Sappi’s purpose and vision aligns very closely with the CBA. We fully support the work of the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance in facilitating a science-informed dialogue and in demonstrating on the ground through targeted investments the potential of a Circular Bioeconomy in the global South.” The Circular Bioeconomy Alliance was established by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales under his Sustainable Markets Initiative in 2020. The Alliance aims to accelerate the transition to a circular bioeconomy that is climate neutral, inclusive and prospers in harmony with nature, by providing knowledge-informed support and a learning and networking platform. It connects the dots between investors, companies, local communities, governmental and non-governmental organizations to advance the circular bioeconomy – while also restoring biodiversity.

Intertape Polymer Group Inc. published its 2020 annual sustainability report, titled “Our Circular Economy”. The report provides an overview of the Company’s sustainability progress in 2020 and highlights future opportunities. The report was prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (“GRI”): Core option, with details provided in the index section of the report. 2020 Results • Improved worker safety with a 1.9 total case incident rate2 (TCIR) and a 0.6 lost workday case incident rate2 (LWCIR) in 2020 • 21% of total IPG sales were C2C certified by the end of 2020 • 47% of the Company’s packaging products, by sales, were recyclable, reusable or compostable by the end of 2020 • 7.0% reduction in direct energy use in 2020 compared to 2019 • 7.2% reduction in energy intensity in 2020 compared to 2019 • 5.9% reduction in direct CO2 emissions in 2020 compared to 2019 • 2.8% reduction in carbon intensity in 2020 compared to 2019 • 6.4% reduction in water usage in 2020 compared to 2019

D.Sc. (Tech.), Maija Pohjakallio is appointed Metsä Group’s VP, Climate and Circular Economy as of 1 August 2021. She reports to Jari Voutilainen, SVP Corporate Affairs. In her new role, Pohjakallio supports Metsä Group’s cooperation with key societal stakeholders and acts as the Group’s representative in climate change and circular economy related working groups and forums. Pohjakallio joins Metsä Group from Sulapac, a developer of new types of fibre packaging materials, from the position of Sustainability Director. Prior to this, Pohjakallio has worked at VTT, the Chemical Industry Federation of Finland and Aalto University, amongst others.

For the first time, more than 100 businesses in the packaging value chain, together with more than 50 other organisations, publicly recognise that without Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) packaging collection and recycling is unlikely to be meaningfully scaled and tens of millions of tonnes of packaging will continue to end up in the environment every year. For a circular economy, packaging that can’t be eliminated or reused must be collected, sorted and recycled or composted after use. But currently the economics do not stack up: collection, sorting and recycling or processing packaging costs more than the revenues made from selling the recycled materials. We need dedicated, ongoing and sufficient funding to make the economics of recycling work. This statement and the supporting position paper set out why mandatory, fee-based EPR is the only proven and likely way to provide this funding.

UPM Raflatac helped launch The U.S. Plastics Pact's “Roadmap to 2025,” an aggressive national strategy illustrating how the U.S. Pact, UPM Raflatac and fellow signatories, known as Activators, will achieve each of the U.S. Pact’s four 2025 targets through specific actions, responsibilities, and interim timeframes to realize a circular economy for plastics in the United States by 2025. Launched in August 2020, The U.S. Plastics Pact is a consortium led by The Recycling Partnership and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) as part of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s global Plastics Pact network, which unites a holistic ecosystem of cross-industry stakeholders behind a common vision and national strategy to address plastic waste at its source by 2025. “It has been exciting to be part of the U.S. Plastics Pact since its inception and work with these incredible and passionate individuals. The launch of the Roadmap illustrates how far we have come in a very short time. We have set some ambitious goals and laid out the details of our execution plan in the Roadmap,” says Kyle Strenski, Business Director, HPC, Food and Beverage, at UPM Raflatac Americas

We are a proud partner of the World Rainforest Day initiative, organized by the Rainforest Partnership to celebrate World Rainforest Day. Taking place on 22 June, World Rainforest Day is a collaborative effort to raise awareness and encourage action to protect the world’s rainforests. Did you know that rainforests cover less than 3% of the Earth's area, but are essential to life on Earth?

According to McKinsey, the pandemic accelerated the shift to e-commerce by as much as ten years, completely altering consumer and industry trends in a matter of months. While a lot of businesses benefited from reaching new and larger audiences online, supply chains were left to figure out how to adapt based on increased consumer demand for packaging. Meanwhile, consumers have been increasingly paying closer attention to the sustainability practices of companies and brands. More than half of U.S. consumers are highly concerned about the environmental impact of packaging. Companies, then, are challenged to find cost-effective and sustainable packaging at speed and scale. But embracing sustainability in the supply chain isn’t as simple as switching out your current packaging for a perceived “eco-friendly” alternative. Before anything else, companies must define what sustainable means. Consider paper packaging — it’s commonly accepted as an environmentally friendlier option, but it requires access to forests. In this case, companies would be forced to weigh the benefits of paper packaging with limited supplies and the environmental costs of acquiring it. much more at source

Stakeholders from around the world are invited to give feedback on the revised American Tree Farm System (ATFS). Deadline for comments is 13 August. Give your feedback now! The ATFS was revised following the entry into force of the revised 2018 PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard. The ATFS was submitted to PEFC after being revised in line with PEFC requirements. The national system is now undergoing the PEFC assessment process, carried out by an independent PEFC Registered Assessor. It must pass this assessment to maintain its PEFC endorsement. An important aspect of the assessment process is the public consultation. Over the sixty-day consultation, stakeholders from around the world can give their comments and provide feedback on any aspect of the system. The Registered Assessor will use the information received from this consultation in their assessment of the system.

Solopress retains a place at the forefront of print technology, with state-of-the-art software and infrastructure that allow the company to guarantee high quality print with fast turnarounds. It’s a formula that’s earned them over 23,000 five-star reviews on Trustpilot. “Now is the right time for Solopress to become members of Two Sides. Having recently introduced the Solopress Green range of carbon-offset products, we look forward to enhancing our position on sustainability yet further and promoting the wider sustainable attributes of print media,” says Simon Cooper, Managing Director at Solopress.

Lecta has published its new Responsible Purchasing of Wood and Forest-Based Products Policy, in keeping with the principles and criteria of its Integrated Management System that guides the company’s activity. With this document, Lecta strengthens its commitment and responsibility to communities and habitats where the company operates. Lecta is keenly aware of the critical role forests play for the planet and its inhabitants. Lecta also acknowledges that the wood used to manufacture all its products is a natural raw material that is both a great ally in preserving the environment as well as a source of income for many families and local communities. Wood is a renewable resource obtained from forests and forest plantations, and protecting these areas is vital for the carbon cycle. With this new policy, along with the PEFC™ and FSC® C011032 Chain of Custody forest certification systems that Lecta promotes and strictly adheres to, the company reaffirms its commitment to the purchase of responsibly managed wood and wood-based products. Lecta thereby contributes to better management of wooded areas used for forestry, environmental protection and the betterment of local communities.

A new sculpture to highlight the issue of electronic waste has been built in Cornwall in preparation for the G7 Summit, which will see 7 world leaders discuss big issues such as Covid recovery, climate change and trade. Sculptor Joe Rush, commissioned by the online tech retailer musicMagpie, created an impactful sculpture with hope of provoking a deeper discussion during the G7 meeting on the damage caused by the disposal of electronic waste. Named “Mount Recylemore”, the sculpture is made up entirely of electronic waste and depicts the seven leaders, from left to right, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Draghi, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel and the U.S. President Joe Biden. Joe Rush explained to the BBC, that the location for his sculpture had to be highly-visible to the seven leaders during the summit and therefore chose to build the piece just across the water from the Carbis Bay Hotel, where the summit is due to take place. In an interview with the BBC, Joe Rush said “We have this looking at them and hopefully we’re going to prick their conscience and make them realise they’re all together in this waste business.” He further added that “The key message is ‘talk to each other’ and let’s sort this mess out”. When talking about the reusability and recyclability of electronics, he said ”It needs to be repairable or made to last longer because the stuff is going into landfill.”

Stora Enso has joined the new WWF platform, Forests Forward. The platform engages businesses and investors to deliver on forest related sustainability ambitions, such as biodiversity protection and forest restoration. As participants in Forests Forward, companies commit to engaging in areas such as sustainable forest management and trade, better silviculture, reforestation and ecosystem restoration, and biodiversity protection and recovery. Forests Forward aims to support companies, investors and communities in improving the management of a targeted 150 million hectares of forest globally by 2030. “Sustainable forestry and biodiversity are at the top of Stora Enso’s forest management agenda. We can play a key role in contributing to more sustainable forest management, which will be enhanced with collaborations across the sector. The cooperation with WWF is a great example of a collaboration where we can exchange knowledge and findings to accelerate positive change together,” says Annette Stube, EVP, Sustainability at Stora Enso.

PEFC-certified board was chosen for the new packaging of the award-winning home fragrance collection FieldDay. Founded in 2002, FieldDay is inspired by the scents of the Irish countryside and pays homage to the country’s many native wildflowers. A recent brand refresh gave the company the opportunity to choose new packaging for their range of vegan and cruelty-free candles, soaps and home collection, matching the brand’s environmental credentials and commitment to sustainability.

More than 600 people joined the 2021 Virtual SFI Annual Conference, May 12-14, to learn from a diverse and dynamic group of speakers about critical global issues facing our sector. Climate change: How will sustainably managed forests and forest products help meet the climate challenge? A big part of the answer we heard at the conference is using tools like requirements for climate-smart forestry and fire resiliency and awareness that are included in the newly approved SFI 2022 Standards and Rules. Environmental, social, and governance (ESG): The increasing influence of ESG factors and how SFI’s work aligns with helping companies meet new reporting structures was the focus of much discussion. Speakers and attendees identified a need to help elevate understanding of the positive role of the forest sector among a variety of audiences.

The revised American Tree Farm System (ATFS) has been submitted to PEFC for assessment. The public consultation, which is your chance to give your feedback on this revised system, will run from 14 June to 13 August 2021. The ATFS was revised following the entry into force of the revised 2018 PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard. The American Tree Farm System is run by the American Forest Foundation and is one of two forest certification systems operational in the USA. The other system is the SFI system, which is also operational in Canada.

SCA’s planting work in Latvia started in spring 2020, when SCA needed to move 100 00 seedlings from Estonia to Latvia. The plan ting continued in the autumn. This year, SCA has already planted over 800 000 seedlings. During one year we have planted over one million seedlings. Most of them are spruce seedlings from SCA, so called SuperPot which is a bigger seedling suitable for ground with a lot of grass. We have also planted some pine, birch and black alder, which we bought from other countries to get the right kind of seedlings, says Edgars Birks, department manager forestry, SCA in Latvia. The land in Latvia consist of a lot of overgrown agricultural land that is very fertile. Therefore it is very important to cut down the grass and bushes, so the seedling can grow.

Grainger announced the launch of its 2021 Corporate Responsibility Report on www.GraingerESG.com. This marks Grainger's 10th consecutive year of publishing this report, continuing the company's commitment to addressing key environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues and opportunities. Other report highlights include: *New one-page corporate responsibility program overview *ESG governance updates, including the Board's ESG oversight framework, and management's new ESG Leadership Council which is led by Macpherson *Expanded diversity, equity and inclusion content and a feature on Grainger Board members sharing insights with team members *New recycling and zero waste updates *Overview of Grainger's COVID-19 response and safe return-to-work facility plan

“SFI’s commitment to making better choices for the planet also means better choices for its people,“ said Kathy Abusow, President and CEO of SFI. “Our grantees are leaders in their communities and we look forward to collaborating with them on so many important issues that will strengthen local communities and support solutions to important sustainability challenges.” The grants address key themes across SFI’s work including urban and community forestry, forest literacy and education, building a diverse and resilient workforce, promoting Indigenous forest stewardship, and connecting communities to conservation. Urban and Community Forestry: SFI is elevating its role in this important issue with the development of a new SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard. Forest Literacy and Education: SFI is committed to helping all people better understand the values and benefits of sustainably managed forests. click read more below for details

The world’s top producer of plastic waste has gone on the offensive to ensure a greener future for its citizens. If China succeeds, it could offer lessons for the rest of the globe. Over the past few years, the phrase “war on waste” has been popping up frequently in Chinese media headlines. Last year, China’s state news agency Xinhua described tackling the waste problem as “a tough and drawn out battle.” The campaign began in March 2017, when the Chinese central government set out a waste sorting plan with the goal of recycling 35% of municipal solid waste in 46 of the country’s major cities by 2020. Shanghai and Beijing, the two largest cities, have since amended the municipal rules to enforce mandatory waste classification – in July 2019 and May 2020, respectively. In January this year, a state commission announced another ambitious goal: to eliminate all non-biodegradable plastic bags across the country by 2025.

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and the Forest Stewards Guild have brought together partners who live and work in the Southern Blue Ridge, including Evergreen Packaging, an SFI-certified company, to collaborate on forest conservation approaches. Forests of the Southern Blue Ridge are biologically rich and span Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The area supports a diverse ecosystem, provides recreational opportunities, and is a source of sustainable forest products. Stakeholders have identified mountain oak forests and mountain cove forests as two types of forest worthy of conservation attention, to help ensure the health and vitality of this unique place. Project partners identified areas of collaboration to address a few key themes, with a focus on leveraging the SFI Fiber Sourcing Standard. One priority was to examine enhancements to water quality practices for ecological benefits. This aligns well with the SFI Fiber Sourcing Standard requirements for all participants to adhere to water quality best management practices (BMPs). Additional themes include leveraging landowner outreach approaches under the SFI Fiber Sourcing Standard requirements, piloting land-management practices to connect separately owned parcels of land, and broadening the impact of conservation strategies.

In the context of the upcoming World Environment Day, and following a year of work and consultations with stakeholders, Cascades, the 17th most sustainable company in the world according to Global 100, is pleased to launch its fourth Sustainability Action Plan, the most ambitious in its history: "Driving Positive Change". The plan, which includes 15 defined targets for 2025 and 2030, is based on four main pillars: Respectful of the Planet, Solutions Driven, Community Minded, and People Focused. It is also aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations and with the recommendations of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Cascades is launching a plan which contains several targets to further reduce its environmental footprint. Among these are: *Reducing Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions of paper manufacturing plants by 38.7% by 2030 compared with 2019 (kg of CO2 eq./metric tonnes) *Reducing Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 22% by 2030 compared with 2019 (kg of CO2 eq./metric tonnes) *Sourcing 100% renewable electricity by 2030 *Reducing paper mill water effluents by 15% by 2025

With metal packaging as our primary product, sustainability is ingrained in our business and will remain a core value for our Company moving forward. Through our Twentyby30 program, we are working with industry partners to educate our supply chain about how the format’s high recyclability and recycling rates support collective goals to advance the Circular Economy. A recent report from the Aluminum Association and the Can Manufacturers Institute helps tell this story, using the latest industry data to reinforce the strengths of aluminum beverage cans. The Aluminum Can Advantage: Sustainability Key Performance Indicators 2020 reveals that metal has maintained its industry-leading position as the most recycled beverage package in the world. In fact, data shows that consumers recycle aluminum cans at nearly double the rate of plastic bottles—a staggering discrepancy. When properly recovered, those used beverage cans (UBCs) fall within a closed-loop recycling process that allows for repeated—and infinite—recycling. Today, the average aluminum can in the United States contains 73 percent recycled content, compared to less than 6 percent for plastic (PET) bottles, demonstrating the staying power of the material and its viability for reuse.

Smurfit Kappa has announced a significant investment of €11.5 million in its Zülpich paper mill in Germany, which will fund a fuel conversion project aimed at significantly reducing the plant’s CO2 emissions. The plant currently produces approximately 500,000 tonnes of paper annually. The investment will allow a major redesign of the plant’s multi-fuel boiler, providing a more sustainable fuel source for the generation of steam and electricity at the mill. An integrated steam re-use system, which optimises energy usage, will replace coal as an energy source, and coal will be phased out. Following the current plans, it is expected that the redesigned boiler will be operational by the middle of 2022.

Reducing carbon dioxide emissions, water protection, and using energy more efficiently are key targets of Kotkamills' strategy. In 2020, significant investments were made to improve the mill's energy efficiency. The aim is to complete the big project to reduce the wastewater treatment plant's load and the mill's carbon dioxide emissions by August 2021. Investment projects stretching also into 2022 have been launched. The most significant investments and measures in 2020-2021 have targeted the maintenance and efficiency-Improvements of the Kotkamills paper machine that was commissioned back in the 1950s, as well as the pulp mill modernization projects. In 2020 the old drum washing line of the pulp production was decommissioned and the remaining washers were modernized. This improved the washing line's efficiency, increased the usability, and improved the quality of the pulp produced as well as the energy efficiency. As a result of the modification, the pulp mill's overall electricity consumption dropped by about 10 percent. The project will continue with a significant replacement investment aiming to increase the paper machine's capacity by upgrading the cooking lines end equipment and thus enabling the needed pulp production.

Common inaccuracies about print and paper are still a major issue for the industry. These misconceptions are further reinforced by financial organisations, utility companies and many other service providers, as they increasingly encourage their customers to switch to electronic bills and statements. But instead of focusing on the potential cost savings of digital, often the incentive to switch is based on unfounded environmental claims such as “Go Green – Go Paperless” and “Choose e-billing and help save a tree”. These messages are unsubstantiated, misleading and can have a lasting effect on consumer perceptions of paper. Many leading organisations, including banks, utility companies and telecommunications providers, urge their customers to go paperless with claims that paperless bills, statements and other electronic communications save trees, are “greener” and better for the environment. These statements are greenwashing. These statements are not specific, not supported by reliable scientific evidence or relevant life cycle analyses and are misleading. Without evidence to support the claim being made such communication is Greenwashing and contravenes advertising regulations in most European countries.

A group of volunteers from Worzalla, an employee-owned book printer specializing in printing high-quality children’s books, cookbooks, and hard-cover best sellers, assembled to clean up a stretch of County Highway HH on Saturday, May 22, 2021. Volunteers cleaned up 2 miles of the highway and cleared many bags of trash and debris. Worzalla recently adopted the section of County Highway HH from R to Burbank as part of the Portage County Adopt-A-Highway program. This program allows businesses and organizations to claim a section of highway in their community in an effort to reduce litter, enhance the environment and beauty of area roadsides, and educate the public to properly dispose of litter. “Since Worzalla has such deep roots in the Portage County community, we thought it fitting to lend our support in beautifying our community through the Adopt-A-Highway program,” said Brianne Petruzalek, Vice President of Human Resources. “We appreciate the associates and their family members who came together to organize and participate in this volunteer opportunity.”

The Koehler Group is planning to fully convert its power plant at its Oberkirch/Germany location to biomass in the coming years. This change is part of Koehler’s sustainability strategy, which includes the goal of producing more energy from renewable sources than is required for its paper production operations by 2030. Koehler Group CEO Kai Furler is thrilled with the plan: “By switching from bituminous coal to biomass as the primary fuel for our location here in Oberkirch, we will be cutting more than 150,000 metric tons of CO₂ emissions a year.” The company has had a number of extremely successful projects designed to reduce the energy consumed in its paper production operations for many years now. A few years ago, the company declared that it would be producing more energy from renewable sources than required for its own needs by 2030. This is why the company is now converting its coal-fired power plant at the Oberkirch location to biomass. With its Fuel Emissions Trading Act, the German government made it more difficult to use fossil fuels, which is why Koehler will be implementing its plans for the conversion three years earlier than originally planned.

Alzamora Group, a leading Spanish cardboard packaging manufacturer, has recently celebrated the second year of its LatCub packaging solution. The revolutionary renewable, biodegradable and fully recyclable cardboard packaging replaces the plastic ring-pull and shrink-wrap around beverage cans. This new sustainable packaging solution is produced without any plastic or tape and offers brands extensive advertising opportunities. LatCub is the first container of its kind available on the market and is a clear example of the future of packaging.

Welcome to the 16th issue of The Page, the magazine produced by Two Sides to promote the sustainability and value of print. This hard-hitting issue discusses and provided examples of the great communication deception. False claims that digital communication is better for the environment than paper are on the increase. Something that isn’t set to change as the country comes out of lockdown. You’ll also discover findings from a Two Sides report, in which the scale of paper’s environmental perception problem is laid bare, when in fact the print and paper industry has a great environmental story to tell. To read the latest issue, go to www.twosides.info/the-page

Crown Holdings, Inc. has issued an interim sustainability report to track its recent environmental, social and governance (ESG) accomplishments and offer insight into its future strategy. Entitled "Enduring Values, Continuous Progress," the report highlights the completion of the Company's first sustainability goals and its plan to raise the bar for future performance based on five pillars of action with the launch of its Twentyby30 program. The Company's progress was achieved during a year of unprecedented demand for metal packaging and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Report highlights include: *The Company's 2020 Sustainability Goals were fulfilled – and surpassed – ahead of schedule. The targets, focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and decreasing energy consumption, were established in 2016 against a 2015 baseline and scheduled for completion by December 31, 2020. *Crown exceeded its goal of 30% renewable electricity by the end of 2020. *The mission and strategy behind Crown's Twentyby30 program, a robust initiative that addresses topics of urgent global concern and reflect the priorities of its internal and external stakeholders.

In a time of renewed emphasis on reducing waste, paper recycling rates for products and packaging set the industry apart. Many states have introduced legislation, called extended producer responsibility bills, that target how consumer products are disposed after use. Several of these proposals aim to make producers responsible for managing the disposal of various goods in an effort to keep them out of landfills. Examples include mattresses, plastic packaging, chemicals, electronics and more. Paper-based packaging has been included in some proposals, but the good news is paper recycling rates are already high. Even during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, which saw an increase in single-use everything, 65.7 percent of paper consumed in the United States was recycled, according to research by the American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA).

Broadleaves trees improve forest growth and yield and increase the diversity of forest species. Biodiversity helps forests to face the changing climate conditions and thrive. “If we achieve this goal, one fifth of all trees on sites that accommodate birch will be broadleaves. The increased amount will strengthen both tree species and many of other forest species and improve forests’ capacity to endure adverse weather conditions and insect damage caused by climate change,” says Risto Laaksonen, UPM’s Director, Forestry. According to Laaksonen, increasing the share of broadleaves trees also increases coniferous trees' strength to grow, at least according to current knowledge. At the same time, the competition within this more diverse group of species will become more intense. This brings balance to the ecosystem and reduces the risk that one species will overpower the others and cause damage.

We are proud to announce that The Stationers’ Company has awarded Two Sides a Stationers’ Warrant Crest for 2021. The Stationers’ Company Warrant Scheme, launched in 2014, recognises excellence within the Communications and Content industries in the form of annual recognition. The warrant seal of excellence may be used on products, to promote products, or by organisations that meet the highest standards of excellence as assessed by the team of judges. “We are pleased to award Two Sides with the Stationers’ Warrant Crest, for their information led campaign which promotes the sustainability of print, paper and paper packaging. The materials produced by Two Sides are educational and easily accessible for the industry to use.” – Christine Geer, Chair of the Warrants Committee.

The Spanish private research organisation CARTIF has completed the first assessment focusing on the environmental and social performance of Metsä Group’s Kuura textile fibre. Kuura is still in a R&D phase and the production process to make it is currently being tested and further developed at a tonne per day demo plant in Äänekoski, Finland. The outcome of the assessment conducted by CARTIF is very good for Kuura. In regard to environmental performance, when comparing to other commercial man-made cellulosic fibres (viscose and lyocell), and to cotton, Kuura shows the lowest impact on climate change, supporting its viability as a sustainable solution in the market of textile fibres (see Figure 1). More specifically, the use of local, sustainably managed wood raw material combined with the use of fully fossil free energy obtained from the existing industrial mill site and with a novel process for the production of Kuura textile fibre result in a product with a clear climate change mitigation potential compared to the use of existing commercial textile fibres.

Stakeholders from around the world are invited to give feedback on the revised national forest certification system for Japan. Deadline for comments is 16 July. Give your feedback now! SGEC/PEFC Japan revised the country’s national forest certification system following the entry into force of the revised 2018 PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard. After revising the national system in line with PEFC requirements, SGEC/PEFC Japan submitted the revised system to PEFC. The national system is now undergoing the PEFC assessment process, carried out by an independent PEFC Registered Assessor. It must pass this assessment to maintain its PEFC endorsement.

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) presented the 2021 Leadership in Conservation Award to the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) and SFI-certified company West Fraser, today. The winners were recognized for their innovative leadership in connecting sustainable forest management with Canada’s commitment to protected and conserved areas. The Government of Canada is committed to conserving 25% of its land and 25% of its oceans by 2025 and is working toward 30% for each by 2030. SFI, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, and West Fraser are collaborating to ensure that conservation outcomes in Canada’s sustainably managed forests are fully recognized and contribute toward Canada’s Target 1 goals for conservation protection. The Target 1 Challenge is an investment by the federal government in projects that add to Canada’s protected and conserved areas across the country. “The winners are taking an innovative approach to the pathway to Target 1, by facilitating an objective assessment of managed forestlands,” said Paul Trianosky, Chief Conservation Officer at SFI. “Validating and confirming the role of sustainable forest management, including those forests certified to the SFI Forest Management Standard, will help meet Canada’s conservation goals, and make clear the contributory value of managed forests at a large scale.”

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) today announced that 65.7 percent of paper consumed in the United States was recycled in 2020, maintaining a recycling rate that has been consistently high for over a decade. Since 2009, paper recycling has met or exceeded 63 percent—nearly double the rate the U.S. paper industry achieved in 1990. Meanwhile, U.S. mill consumption of old corrugated containers (OCC) reached a record level in 2020 of 22.8 million tons. The recycling rate for OCC was 88.8 percent, and the three-year average was 92.4 percent. “In an unprecedented and dynamic year defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, almost two-thirds of paper was recycled and transformed into new sustainable paper products,” said AF&PA President and CEO Heidi Brock. “The resilience and commitment of our industry is notable, as is engagement of consumers in the paper recycling process. The result is a consistent and high rate for paper recycling.”

Metsä Group and forest owners planted 270 million seedlings in Finnish forests between 2010 and 2020. This summer, the figure will increase by more than 35 million seedlings. Metsä Group supplies forest owners with native tree species that occur naturally in Finland. Under the Finnish Forest Act, a new forest must always be established after felling. This can be done through natural regeneration, or by sowing seeds or planting seedlings. Planting is the fastest and surest way to create a new forest. To secure biodiversity, individual trees from the previous generation are always left in the forest. “We supply forest owners with species that occur naturally in Finland – pine, spruce and silver birch – for use in forest regeneration. This helps preserve forest nature in the state to which our native species have adapted,” says Teppo Oijala, Metsä Group’s Forest Manager. In the decade between 2010 and 2020, Metsä Group supplied forest owners with a total of 270 million seedlings and 9,000 kilograms of pine seeds.

Skookumchuck Pulp has recently received three different administrative monetary penalties (AMPs) from the BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy for non-compliance events that occurred between 2017 and 2020. Skookumchuck Pulp’s performance has not changed significantly over the last two years; however, all the AMPs the mill has received in its 53-year history have occurred in the last two years. The BC Ministry of Environment has begun using this tool more frequently with all industrial operators in the province. Click read more below for details of the issues and responses.

Sappi North America, Inc. released its 2020 Sustainability Report, illustrating Sappi's continued commitment to sustainable development. The report highlights the ways that Sappi remained innovative and prosperous during the COVID-19 pandemic; its commitment to employee safety and third-party collaborations for sustainability initiatives; and ambitious plans to meet its strategic business goals for 2025. "In 2020, we continued to build on our sustainability commitments and created a foundation of new strategies to tackle our global business goals which will guide us into 2025," said Mike Haws, President and CEO, Sappi North America. "We are confident in our capacity to grow as a business while contributing toward building a circular, sustainable economy." Sappi North America's 2020 results exhibit its commitment to innovation, sustainability and business growth throughout its communities.

Pregis is formalizing its wide-ranging sustainability initiatives into seven concrete goals to be achieved by the year 2030. Here’s what they are. By the year 2030, Pregis will: Eliminate one million unnecessary reshipments. Reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 25%. Save 15 million new trees from harvest. Make 100 percent of Pregis products recyclable, reusable, or with a minimum 30 percent reduced reliance on new fossil-based ingredients. Achieve 100 percent product and process waste reduction at Pregis facilities globally. Invest $15 million in circular, scalable, and sustainable material, process, and waste solutions at our facilities globally. Make a positive impact on 25 million lives.

PEFC-certified cardboard has replaced plastic packaging around the cider can packs by UK cider maker Thatchers, significantly reducing the company’s use of plastic. Thatchers has introduced PEFC-certified board for its four and ten-can packs of ciders. Using certified cardboard for packaging is one more important step in Thatchers’ commitment to the environment. The company first started its ground-breaking initiative five years ago, introducing new duo-wing cardboard packs for its best-selling ciders. Around 100 tonnes of plastic have been saved during this time. Through this innovation, Thatchers has also been able to wipe out its use of the much-maligned plastic rings. In the last twelve months, Thatchers has saved around 20 million plastic rings from being discarded, eliminating their potential harm to the environment.

We are extremely proud to announce that HH Global is included amongst the first 100 signatories to join and, in doing so, commit to net-zero carbon by 2040 or sooner. Alongside us are fifty-two new signatories that include existing clients such as Colgate-Palmolive, Heineken, and PepsiCo, as well as many other well-known and respected brands. Our signing of The Climate Pledge commits us to three areas of action: *Measure and report greenhouse gas emissions on a regular basis. *Implement decarbonisation strategies in line with the Paris Agreement through real business changes and innovations, including efficiency improvements, renewable energy, materials reductions, and other carbon emission elimination strategies. *Neutralise any remaining emissions with additional, quantifiable, real, permanent, and socially beneficial offsets to achieve net-zero annual carbon emissions by 2040—a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement’s goal of 2050.

The International Council of Forest and Paper Associations (ICFPA) released its biennial Sustainability Progress Report which demonstrates progress in seven key areas of sustainability. The 2021 report also highlights the forest products sector’s global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Key progress on ICFPA’s sustainability performance indicators include: *In 2019, 52.6 percent of procured wood fibre came from third-party certified sustainably-managed forests, a 41 percentage point increase from the 2000 baseline year. *Greenhouse gas emission intensity decreased 21 percent from the 2004/2005 baseline year. *The energy share of biomass and other renewable fuels increased to 64.9 percent, a 12 percentage point increase since 2004/2005. *Sulphur dioxide emission intensity from on-site combustion sources decreased 77 percent from the 2004/2005 baseline year and 38 percent from the previous report. *Water use intensity decreased 12.5 percent from the baseline year. *Investment in health and safety interventions yielded a 30 percent reduction in the global recordable incident rate from the 2006/2007 baseline with the number of recordable incidents falling to 2.88 per 100 employees annually. *In 2019, 59.1 percent of paper and paperboard consumed globally was used by mills to make new products, marking a 12.6 percentage point increase in the global recycling rate since the year 2000.

Neenah, Inc. proudly achieves nine verified U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Certified Biobased Products in their durable label solutions lineup as further evidence of its commitment to sustainability efforts. With this third-party verification, various DISPERSA®, ENDURA®, and PREVAIL® durable label and board products have earned the ability to display a unique USDA label highlighting their biobased content ranging from 68-99%. The USDA Certified Biobased Product label displays a product's biobased content, which is the portion of a product that comes from a renewable source, such as plant, animal, marine, or forestry feedstocks. Renewable, biobased materials displace the need for non-renewable petroleum-based chemicals and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that exacerbate global climate change.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock released the following statement in response to President Joe Biden’s Leaders Summit on Climate held virtually today and tomorrow with world leaders: “We welcome President Biden’s Leaders Summit on Climate. Paper and wood products manufacturers produce enormous amounts of carbon-beneficial bioenergy, integral to making sustainable products that meet essential needs around the world. Our industry will continue to create jobs and economic opportunities for Americans, especially as we push forward on a U.S. economic recovery effort. “AF&PA was one of the first U.S. manufacturing industries to adopt a comprehensive, quantifiable set of sustainability goals a decade ago in our Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 initiative. Included in this effort was a goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which we cut 23.2 percent by 2018, surpassing our goal. Since the 1990s, we also cut our GHG emissions in half, and looking forward, we will soon release the industry’s new sustainability goals for 2030, including a new ambitious target for further greenhouse gas reductions.

PEFC Netherlands submitted their national forest certification system to PEFC for re-endorsement in March this year. The public consultation, which is your chance to give your feedback on this revised system, will run from 10 May to 8 July 2021. PEFC Netherlands revised the country’s national forest certification system following the entry into force of the revised 2018 PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard. The revised PEFC Certification System Netherlands is one of the first national systems submitted to PEFC for endorsement that includes a Trees Outside Forests (TOF) standard. TOF certification was one of the innovative developments of the 2018 PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard.

Myths about the sustainability of the North American paper industry and its products are common media fodder in today’s world of sensationalized, headline-driven journalism. This time it was the turn of Popular Science to weave together a collection of standard anti-paper tropes into your “Modern paper use is wildly unsustainable” article. Shouldn’t a publication dedicated to reporting on science resist the easy narrative, hold up a submission to the illuminating glow of real authoritative data and pick up the phone to ask industry scientists or a school of forestry if any of what the authors claim makes sense? After all, paper is not only the most recycled material in North America. It is a material whose industry grows and regrows its own feedstock (wood fiber), derives most of the power to drive its processes from carbon neutral biofuel, and recycles more than 95% of the chemicals it uses to turn trees into pulp. This is not “wildly unsustainable.” This is a description of some of the world’s most sustainable products.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock issued the following statement in opposition to the Maryland General Assembly's efforts to alter the state's definition of qualifying biomass in the renewable energy portfolio standard (RPS): "The forest products industry in Maryland produces almost $1.8 billion in products annually, employing approximately 6,000 people who work in facilities that produce essential products. The bioenergy from forest products manufacturing residuals is a carbon neutral, renewable energy that provides enormous greenhouse gas emission reduction benefits - roughly the equivalent to removing 35 million cars from the road.

In the developed world, around 90% of our time is spent indoors. In recent times, this has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and wellbeing in indoor environments is more important than ever. We teamed up with the Technical University of Munich to develop a literature review that explores the science behind the wellbeing benefits of building with wood. The new literature review that was developed in partnership with the Technical University of Munich dissects the increasing volume of evidence in this field that proves wood to be a stand apart building material option. The analysis reviews multiple areas of research, such as wood’s ability to reduce stress and boost productivity levels. For example, a study into the wooden waiting room at the National Oncology Institute in Slovakia saw participants experiencing a decrease in cortisol levels by 7.5%, implying a stress-reducing effect1. Similarly, a study conducted in an Austrian school compared student experience in classrooms – one with linoleum floors and plasterboard walls, and one that was wooden. Those in the wooden classroom had significantly lower heart rates and lower perception of stress2.

Mondi, a global leader in packaging and paper, is now offering a comprehensive portfolio of CO2 neutral papers from its Uncoated Fine Paper business to serve the professional print, office and premium packaging sectors. Mondi Neusiedler has been offering CO2 neutral products for over a decade, including Color Copy original and selected products from the NAUTILUS® range. From April 2021, the mill has extended its offering of CO2 neutral paper to almost all premium paper brands. This includes Pergraphica®, Mondi´s premium paper brand for creative design, publishing and luxury packaging applications, combining premium printing and finishing quality with sustainability in one portfolio. By offering the full PERGRAPHICA® range as CO2 neutral, Mondi is meeting the growing demand of customers such as agencies, designers and brand owners for sustainable and CO2 neutral printing, publishing and packaging products.

Imagine mornings without orange juice, summer picnics without strawberries or holiday dinners without apple pie. Such a future is possible if we don’t take collective action to begin restoring pollinator habitats around the world. It’s estimated that one out of every three bites of food we eat is possible because of animal pollinators. Bees are the most popular pollinators, but there’s an entire segment of the animal kingdom that helps pollinate the food we eat, including some that grow in our own home gardens. Pollinators include butterflies and moths, birds, bats, beetles and many more, and without them some of our favorite foods wouldn’t exist. Yet studies show these vital pollinator populations have been declining over the last 30 years due to loss of habitat, pests, pollution, pesticides and a changing climate, among other contributing factors.

Last month, FSC International announced that the effective dates have been delayed to September 1, 2021 for the revised Chain of Custody standard (FSC-STD-40-004 V3-1 Chain of Custody Certification) and revised Chain of Custody Evaluations standard (FSC-STD-20-011 V4-2 Chain of Custody Evaluations). The transition period has also been delayed and extended to December 31, 2022. These changes were made in consideration of the disruptions to onsite audits and auditing schedules caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to allow more time for FSC International to prepare materials for Certification Bodies and Certificate Holders to support a smooth transition.

Recycling facilities in North Carolina and Texas will use Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI)’s aluminum beverage can capture grants to install equipment that will result in 540 tons, more than 36 million aluminum beverage cans, per year being captured that were previously missorted. These recycling facilities are the initial recipients of a grant program made possible with the generous support of can manufacturers Ardagh Group and Crown Holdings. The Recycling Partnership helped select the grantees and will provide technical assistance to ensure successful implementation. The grant program builds off the CMI research released last year that found it is critical to capture all used beverage cans (UBC) flowing through material recovery facilities (MRF), which play the critical role in the U.S. recycling system of sorting recyclables. This research concluded that most MRFs in the United States would not be able to operate without the revenue from UBCs considering they are consistently the most valuable beverage package material in the recycling stream.

PEFC Germany submitted their national forest certification system to PEFC for re-endorsement earlier this month. The public consultation, which is your chance to give your feedback on this revised system, will run from 19 April to 18 June 2021. PEFC Germany revised the country’s national forest certification system following the entry into force of the revised 2018 PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard. To provide you with additional information about this revised national system, we are holding a webinar on 19 April, at 10:00 CEST. The webinar is free to attend, and everyone is welcome.

Following the positive evaluation of the PEFC chain of custody by the European co-operation for Accreditation (EA), European accreditation bodies can now provide accreditation against the 2020 PEFC Chain of Custody and Trademarks standards. This decision enables certification bodies to update their accreditation and clears the way for thousands of PEFC-certified companies worldwide to transition to the 2020 chain of custody standards. Furthermore, companies looking to achieve PEFC certification have the opportunity to be certified against the 2020 standards. In addition, we have extended the transition period by six months, to 14 August 2022, to give accreditation and certification bodies more flexibility. After this date, all certification bodies must be accredited against the 2020 standards and all chain of custody audits carried out against the 2020 standards.

FSC Canada would like to welcome Etienne Vezina, Resolute Forest Products to the FSC Canada Board of Directors. Etienne will replace Andre Gravel (economic chamber) who has decided to resign from his position. Etienne started working in forest certification back in 2004 helping enterprises implementing the FSC boreal standard on public land in the province of Québec. He became a qualified auditor for both the FSC FM and COC standards in 2008 and remained in his position until 2013 as an independent consultant. During those years, Etienne performed 50 different FSC audits for SAI Global, as lead auditor for FSC forest management audits, both on public and private lands. He also kept working as a consultant helping several companies to implement both their FSC space FM and COC systems. Étienne is now Manager, Forestry and Certification for Resolute Forest Products where he oversees the company wide forest management and chain of custody certifications. Etienne holds a master’s degree in international studies as well as in Administration with concentration in sustainable development and a bachelor’s degree in forestry. He is also a member of l'Ordre des Ingénieurs Forestiers du Québec (OIFQ). Etienne has been appointed as Andre’s replacement in accordance with FSC Canada’s By Laws which permits the nominee from the chamber with the next highest number of votes in the most recent election.

UPM has published its first Green Bond Report. The report provides details on the use of proceeds as well as the estimated impacts of the UPM´s EUR 750 million Green Bond issued in November 2020. The proceeds of the Green Bond were allocated to the following two categories: 1. Sustainable forest management - The category includes the acquisition, maintenance and management of certified forests. The total amount used was EUR 672 million, of which EUR 592 million was allocated to carrying value of forest land and EUR 80 million to sustainable forest management costs. 2. Climate positive products and solutions - The category includes financing the development, operations, maintenance and expansion of the production of climate positive products and solutions. The total amount used was EUR 78 million and it was allocated to R&D costs of biochemicals, biocomposites, biofuels and biomedicals businesses.

Andy McCuaig, Fibre Superintendent at our Skookumchuck mill, is leading the charge in wildfire risk reduction logging. This successful three-way partnership between the City of Cranbrook, Paper Excellence and the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (FLNRORD) means both Paper Excellence and the local community benefit. Paper Excellence gets hog and chips at competitive prices and the community of Cranbrook get reduced wildfire risk because the forests close to town are logged. “The whole angle around fire protection is a huge public interest for people,” says Gavin Baxter, General Manager of Skookumchuck. “We’ve had forest fires on our doorstep before.” In fact, Gavin and Andy toured Mayor Lee Pratt in January so he could see the impact the work is having on the community.

Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s announced today that Phil Graves has been named Chief Sustainability Officer. Graves brings nearly two decades of leadership in sustainability efforts, strategic planning, finance, and environmentally responsible investing for notable global companies including Patagonia, where he previously served as vice president of corporate development. “Conservation is central to everything we do, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome an industry-recognized leader in sustainability to our Great American Outdoors Group of companies,” said noted conservationist and Bass Pro Shops founder/CEO Johnny Morris. “Phil’s talents and passion for the outdoors make him a natural fit for this role, and his leadership and expertise will advance our conservation mission and impact across North America.”

Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy announced the acquisition of 64 acres of forestland recently donated by WestRock, a leading supplier of differentiated paper and packaging solutions. This beautiful stretch of land situated just west of the Hudson River in the town of Bethlehem, N.Y., is a rarity among the development that has rapidly claimed the river valley’s natural spaces. Following the generous donation from WestRock Company, MHLC will ensure the land’s permanent protection. This forestland has long been a focus of local conservation efforts. Along with significant ecological value, the property also has historical interest as part of the original Corning family estate. MHLC Executive Director Mark King said, “We are so pleased to announce the acquisition of this important property and want to acknowledge the generosity of the WestRock Company that made the conservation of this property possible. The acquisition captures an important part of the former Corning estate, which was such an important part of Albany history and preserves some of the remaining open space in this rapidly developing area.”

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI) is pleased to announce the launch of a partnership to develop a new SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard for application in North America and potentially globally. SFI will collaborate with five urban forestry leaders: American Forests, Arbor Day Foundation, the International Society of Arboriculture, the Society of Municipal Arborists, and Tree Canada. “The SFI network is looking forward to collaborating with our urban forestry partners to promote the establishment of sustainable urban and community forests that meet local needs, while meaningfully contributing to national, bi-national, and global initiatives such as the 2 Billion Tree initiative in Canada or through regional and global initiatives such as the World Economic Forum’s 1t.org,” says Kathy Abusow, SFI’s President and CEO. “Together, with these leaders, I’m confident SFI will positively contribute to urban forestry initiatives across North America and globally.”

Domtar’s support of American Forest Foundation (AFF) biodiversity conservation initiatives is helping protect at-risk or endangered wildlife, especially in the Southeastern United States. With help from Domtar and others, AFF is expanding a model designed to enlist landowners in the effort to ensure that biodiversity thrives in a forest habitat. “Domtar has long recognized the role that family farms and rural landowners play in environmental stewardship, including maintaining habitat for a diverse range of species,” says Paige Goff, vice president for sustainability at Domtar. “This type of engagement fits our goals as well as AFF’s.”

After starting Two Sides North America nearly a decade ago and building it into the highly successful organization it is today, Phil Riebel will retire as president of the organization effective April 1. Kathi Rowzie, who has been running the day-to-day operations of Two Sides since last March, will become president. “Everyone who has worked with Phil over the years knows him as a trusted colleague and passionate advocate for the sustainability of print, paper and paper-based packaging,” said Jeff Hester, chairman of the Two Sides North America board of directors. “Our industry has benefitted enormously from his efforts to build Two Sides into an organization whose voice is recognized and respected across the paper value chain and among many of North America’s leading corporations. As Phil moves on from his Two Sides role to pursue other opportunities within the industry, I want to thank him on behalf of the board of directors for his dedicated service to our Two Sides members and our industry. Though Phil is stepping down, he will remain associated with Two Sides’ mission as a valuable advocate in our strategic efforts.”

In February 2021, the Land and Environmental Court in Östersund upheld an appeal from the Skydda Skogen (Protect the Forest) association regarding a number of harvesting notifications on SCA land in Jämtland and Härjedalen. The Court also found in favor of a harvesting ban at the harvesting sites in question. SCA is now appealing this ruling to the Supreme Land and Environmental Court. In accordance with the Swedish Forestry Act, SCA reported the planned harvesting to the Swedish Forest Agency. The Agency had no objections and accordingly, after a period of six weeks, the landowner is free to implement the planned harvesting. The Skydda Skogen association conducted inventories in the areas in question and submitted the results to the Swedish Forest Agency in the form of findings of red-listed plant and animal species. When the Swedish Forest Agency did not act on this information, Skydda Skogen appealed the Agency’s decision – or, more correctly, that it refrained from making a decision. This appeal was upheld by the Land and Environmental Court in Östersund, which also referred the case back to the Swedish Forest Agency and ruled in favor of a harvesting ban.

The path toward a circular economy is more of an angled one than a straight line and more nuanced than the "all or nothing" language that is often employed in sustainability conversations. Every step of the way on the path to circularity we are thinking about how we can generate less waste and more opportunities to extend the usefulness of materials. The relationship packaging companies and landowners have with forests truly is symbiotic. We all want to keep forests healthy, so we can continue making the best use of this remarkable and renewable resource. So, at WestRock, we start with the trees. How can the company ensure forests are growing sustainably? How can the company ensure that the 10,000 private landowners WestRock engages with annually, and their stakeholders, are adequately educated on the importance of sustainable land management? Virgin fiber is an important part of the circular economy, and responsible oversight of this sustainable forest resource is critically important to WestRock.

The American Forest Foundation (AFF) is partnering with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC US) to support the implementation of the FSC US Controlled Wood National Risk Assessment. The partnership's goal is to help companies that source fiber from family forestlands to mitigate sustainability risks identified in the FSC Controlled Wood National Risk Assessment for a specific region, such as threats to High Conservation Values and forest conversion. AFF and FSC are also working together to monitor the impacts of these risk mitigation efforts on family-owned forests. To ensure close coordination on this effort, AFF has become a Member of FSC in the Social Chamber. Family forests, which comprise almost 40% of US forests and provide more than 50% of the wood flowing into supply chains, are a principal source of FSC Controlled Wood. Over the last year, AFF has implemented a range of risk mitigation projects across the Southeast US, in partnership with a handful of FSC Certificate Holders that source Controlled Wood.

In so many fundamental ways, environmental sustainability is baked into the nature of the paper and paper-based packaging industry – from the ability and financial incentive to regrow its primary raw material to the biodegradability of its products. As the call for the circularity of product lifecycles is growing louder, paper has always had a head start. And the industry’s strong support and investment in recycling has transformed the circularity of paper products from vision to reality. At a time when there is growing alarm about the low recycled rates of other materials, paper recycling is a stark exception. While the recycling rate of other materials is as low as the single digits – for example, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports the recycling rate for plastics is just 8.7% – 66% of all paper products in the United States and 70% in Canada are being recycled. This is near the theoretical maximum recycling rate when items like hygiene products and long-held items such as archived records and books are excluded. For those grades that can be almost entirely recovered and reused, such as corrugated cardboard boxes, the recycling rates are higher than 90%.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock issued the following statement in support of U.S. Senators Rob Portman’s (R-OH) and Debbie Stabenow’s (D-MI) and Representatives David Joyce’s (R-OH) and Dean Phillips’ (D-MN) introduced legislation, the RECYCLE Act. U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Todd Young (R-IN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Susan Collins (R-ME) are original cosponsors of this legislation. “The RECYCLE Act will help educate millions of Americans on how to recycle paper and paper-based products, increasing the quantity and quality of paper in the recycling stream. AF&PA applauds the work of Senators Portman and Stabenow and Representatives Joyce and Phillips, who are working hard to engage on bipartisan solutions, and is eager to move this bill forward into law. Providing grants to fund recycling education programs is a necessary step to help ensure consumers can successfully contribute to paper recycling’s success story.

Stakeholders from around the world are invited to give feedback on the revised Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) forest certification system. Deadline for comments is 11 May. Give your feedback now! SFI, a PEFC national member in North America, revised their forest certification system, which covers both the United States (USA) and Canada, following the entry into force of the revised 2018 PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard. After revising the system in line with PEFC requirements, SFI submitted the revised system to PEFC for endorsement. The national system is now undergoing the PEFC assessment process, carried out by an independent PEFC Registered Assessor. It must pass this process and be approved by the PEFC General Assembly before it can achieve endorsement.

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative celebrates forests every day, but every year on March 21 we join so many others to formally recognize the United Nations International Day of Forests. This year’s theme is “Forest restoration: a path to recovery and well‑being.” SFI’s mission directly supports this theme and the broader UN Sustainable Development Goals. SFI-certified forests and products are powerful tools to achieve shared goals such as mitigating climate change, conserving biodiversity, protecting clean water, reducing waste, educating current and future generations, and supporting sustainable economic development that creates jobs and improves lives. There are more than 375 million acres/150 million hectares of forests certified to SFI with tens of millions more positively influenced by SFI fiber sourcing. And every day, SFI-certified organizations plant 2.5 million trees across the U.S. and Canada. This year, SFI is pleased to share the first in a series of story maps—interactive tools to provide users with a new and immersive way to engage with SFI content.

Today marks Global Recycling Day, which recognizes the importance recycling plays in protecting the planet and brings the world together to prioritize sustainability. Led by the Global Recycling Foundation, the annual milestone implores the public to see opportunity rather than waste and to be thoughtful about what we throw away. This mission aligns with our own goals and responsibilities as a major manufacturer of metal packaging—a primary product that is infinitely recyclable and supports a sustainable supply chain. Within our Twentyby30 sustainability program, our approach to recycling is twofold: We are working to raise consumer and industry recycling rates in our major markets, and alongside those efforts, are aiming to improve the recycled content averages across our products. These efforts recognize that metal packaging carries tremendous recycling power—a recycled beverage can, for example, returns to a store shelf in as few as 60 days—and contributes to the circular economy. In addition, the lifespan of aluminum beverage cans in particular is considered cyclical because when made with recycled material, their production reduces greenhouse gas emissions by about 90% when compared to cans made from primary materials With the knowledge that recycling 100% of aluminum cans could power four million homes for a full year, the value of this manufacturing efficiency becomes even clearer.

The Network for Certification and Conservation of Forests (NCCF) submitted their national Trees outside Forests certification standard to PEFC for endorsement in January 2020. The public consultation, which is your chance to give your feedback on this national standard, will run from 31 March until 30 May. This is the first time NCCF, the PEFC national member for India, has applied for PEFC endorsement of its NCCF Trees outside Forests Certification Standard. Trees outside Forests (TOF) certification was one of the innovative developments of the 2018 PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard.

People hold unique connections to the forest, whether they be spiritual, social, physical, or economic. As Mercer knows, it is important to acknowledge these connections amongst our many stakeholders and to do all that we can to ensure the forest is managed sustainably so that everyone can remain connected to their forest in their own way. Operating in the Northern Boreal Forest region of Alberta, Mercer Peace River (MPR) holds two 20-year renewable government Forest Management Agreements (FMAs), along with three other deciduous (hardwood) timber allocations, totalling approximately 2.7 million hectares of Alberta forest. These agreements come with many responsibilities; one primary responsibility is to manage the forest sustainably and ethically. As part of our forest management process, we consult and engage with Indigenous communities and with many government, commercial, and public forest stakeholders to ensure that our plans are responsive, diversified and inclusive.

Stakeholders from around the world are invited to give feedback on the revised national forest certification system for Indonesia. Deadline for comments is 7 May. The Indonesian Forestry Certification Cooperation (IFCC), the PEFC national member for Indonesia, revised the country’s national forest certification system following the entry into force of the revised 2018 PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard. The revised IFCC Forest Certification Scheme is one of the first national systems submitted to PEFC for endorsement that includes a Trees Outside Forests (TOF) standard. TOF certification was one of the innovative developments of the 2018 PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard.

PEFC notes the concerns voiced by Greenpeace in a recent report, namely that ‘[c]ertification on its own has not helped companies meet their 2020 commitments to exclude deforestation from their supply chains’ and cautions that certification was never designed – and never claimed – to do so on its own. “Forest certification is an important part of the toolbox needed to stop deforestation, protect biodiversity, safeguard livelihoods, and provide society with wood as a sustainable, renewable raw material,” said Ben Gunneberg, CEO of PEFC International. “Forest certification is not designed to solve issues like deforestation by itself. This is because many of the factors causing deforestation are outside forestry, such as the demand for land for agricultural production. We need to employ multiple tools, ensure the support of all stakeholders, and work collaboratively to achieve our common objective: safeguarding our forests,” added Mr Gunneberg.

Efforts to reduce water use, use energy efficiently and streamline resources used to ship products across the U.S. earned employees and GP facilities a variety of awards from the EPA. Georgia-Pacific facilities received several awards and certifications, including the ENERGY STAR® Top Project for 2020, an ENERGY STAR® Certification, the SmartWay Excellence Award and a 2020 Energy Star Challenge Achiever for Industry by the EPA. Georgia-Pacific’s Brewton Containerboard mill has been named a 2020 Energy Star Challenge Achiever for Industry by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a program developed by the agency to recognize individual facilities for volunteering to reduce energy intensity by 10% within five years.

Expected to start up by the end of 2022, our state-of-the-art biochemicals biorefinery in Leuna, Germany, will produce a range of 100% wood-based biochemicals that enable a switch from fossil-based products to sustainable alternatives in a number of end-uses such as plastics, textiles, cosmetics, and industrial applications. The Leuna plant will use hardwood trees native to Germany, where the share of mixed forests has increased, as they are more resilient to the effects of climate change and help to maintain biodiversity. According to Andreas Meggendorfer, Senior Manager Sourcing and Supply Chain Biochemicals at UPM, the new business will now be able to find use cases for hardwood, where industrial applications have so far been limited.

The Vietnam Forest Certification Office (VFCO) is our latest member that has achieved PEFC endorsement of its national forest certification system. “Realising that our national standards meet and even exceed the global sustainability benchmark in sustainable forest management strengthens our belief that we are on the right track to build an accessible national forest certification system. PEFC endorsement has recognized all our national collective efforts,” said Dr. Nguyen Quoc Tri, Director General of the Vietnam Administration Forest. The certification of 12,000 hectares of Acacia and Rubber plantation by VFCS before the endorsement by PEFC has shown the substantial determination of Vietnamese stakeholders to make the national system work.

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) submitted their forest certification system to PEFC for re-endorsement earlier this month. The public consultation, which is your chance to give your feedback on this revised system, will run from 12 March to 11 May 2021. SFI, a PEFC national member in North America, revised their forest certification system, which covers both the United States (USA) and Canada, following the entry into force of the revised 2018 PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard. To provide you with additional information about this revised system, we are holding a webinar on 22 March, at 14:00 CET. The webinar is free to attend, and everyone is welcome.

FedEx Corp. announced an ambitious goal to achieve carbon-neutral operations globally by 2040. Key steps toward reaching the carbon neutral goal include: • Vehicle Electrification. By 2040, the entire FedEx parcel pickup and delivery (PUD) fleet will be zero-emission electric vehicles. • Sustainable Customer Solutions. FedEx will work with customers to offer end-to-end sustainability for their supply chains through carbon-neutral shipping offerings and sustainable packaging solutions. • Sustainable Fuels. FedEx will continue to invest in alternative fuels to reduce aircraft and vehicle emissions. • Fuel Conservation and Aircraft Modernization. FedEx will build on its successful FedEx Fuel Sense initiatives designed to reduce fuel consumption in its aircraft.

FSC and PEFC are different forest certification schemes and there are some forest areas around the world that choose to hold both types of certification. For this reason, FSC and PEFC agreed in 2016 to publish mutually approved estimates of forest area certified under both schemes on a yearly basis for statistical purposes. According to the latest data from mid-2020, forest area holding both FSC and PEFC/PEFC-endorsed certification is approximately 95 million hectares, an increase of 3% since mid-2019. Please note that the data include only the forest area certified by FSC or PEFC-endorsed systems from 2016 to 2020, excluding any other schemes. The list includes only countries where forest area is certified under both schemes and the data should be regarded as best estimates.

DWC Prints has joined Two Sides North America, the non-profit organization that promotes and encourages the responsible production, use, and sustainability of print, paper, and paper-based packaging. “We welcome DWC Prints to our Two Sides network. As a print brokerage service, they help us reach many print buyers who often need the facts about the great sustainability story of print and paper. Small to medium-sized businesses such as DWC Prints are a key part of our network and our education efforts,” said Phil Riebel, Two Sides North America President.

With ecommerce reaching its largest ever share of total retail sales in 2020 and continuing to grow, attention to the types of packaging used for product returns also is increasing as brands, retailers and others across the supply chain seek reverse logistics solutions that contribute to a more sustainable, circular economy. Regardless of whether businesses provide return packaging as a customer service, allow in-store or other local return options that enable bulk return shipping or encourage customers to repackage returns themselves, the sustainability of the packaging material itself comes down to three basic questions: What is it made of, how is it made and what happens to it once shipping is complete? When we rely on verifiable data rather than unsubstantiated claims to answer these questions, paper-based packaging made in North America stands out as a sound environmental choice. One of the most frequent unsupported claims about corrugated cardboard and other paper-based packaging is that its use causes deforestation and destroys forests, but the data tell a different story. Read more at: https://twosidesna.org/US/11284/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=TSNA%20Paper-based%20Packaging%20A%20Natural%20Fit%20for%20a%20Circular%20Economy&utm_content=TSNA%20Paper-based%20Packaging%20A%20Natural%20Fit%20for%20a%20Circular%20Economy+CID_7b766573e907bbbd657c0a1a33192166&utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software&utm_term=READ%20MORE

Stakeholders from around the world are invited to give feedback on the revised national forest certification system for China. Deadline for comments is 30 April. Give your feedback now! The China Forest Certification Council (CFCC), the PEFC national member for China, revised the country’s national forest certification system following the entry into force of the revised 2018 PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard. The revised China Forest Certification Scheme is also the first national system submitted to PEFC for endorsement that includes a Trees Outside Forests (TOF) standard. TOF certification was one of the innovative developments of the 2018 PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard.

Building on the sustainability success of paper based packaging and recycling, the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) today released a new tool, The Design Guidance for Recyclability, a data-driven resource to aid packaging designers and brands in the design and manufacture of packaging to meet recyclability goals. The guide provides data on how certain non-fiber elements, such as coatings and additives, impact the recyclability of paper-based packaging. Key findings include: *Non-fiber elements may present a recycling “challenge” when they slow down the mill’s pulping process, plug screening systems or leave residue on finished paper or paperboard. However, innovations in packaging design and materials, as well as improvements in recycling technology, have made these treatments easier to recycle than historically. *Being a “challenge” does not mean “not recyclable.” Each non-fiber element applied to each kind of packaging was rated by some mills as not a “challenge.” The Design Guidance for Recyclability is available for free download at: afandpa.org/sustainability/design-guidance

Our pulp and paper mills, including our Hawesville Mill in Kentucky, have been using wood fiber, water and basic chemistry to make useful, recyclable products for more than a century. As technology has advanced, our processes have become more efficient and more sustainable. Today, Domtar’s environmental teams use technology to improve visibility to standards and to act early to prevent problems. The Hawesville Mill offers lessons in collaboration and innovation while keeping an eye on the environment. Technology has modernized the tracking of hundreds of data points that alert mill leaders to potential environmental problems and deviations from designed operating conditions. Technology also helps us improve efficiency in our manufacturing processes.

Leading global packaging and paper group Mondi and Tesco Central Europe have launched a new partnership, in which Mondi will purchase the retailer’s warehouse corrugated waste to create recycled paper for the retailers' shopping bags. Tesco is working towards a net zero emission goal, in line with its sustainability targets to remove, reduce, reuse and recycle wherever possible and Mondi is able to contribute to this vision with its customer-centric approach, EcoSolutions. This is the first time Tesco has collaborated directly with a paper producer to turn its paper waste into a renewable resource in line with their circular economy goals. Mondi uses the retailer’s corrugated waste to produce the EcoVantage grade, in which recycled and fresh fibres are combined to achieve a recyclable and high performing shopping bag. With the EcoVantage paper produced at Mondi’s mill in the Czech Republic, this collaboration shows how suppliers can work with retailers across the value chain to develop circular systems and turn waste back into a valuable resource.

Environment and Climate Change Minister Jonathan Wilkinson announced the appointment of members of the federal government’s Net-Zero Advisory Board. We have the unique opportunity to go beyond net-zero and can do this by: *Sequestering carbon and reducing land-based emissions through climate smart forestry and sustainably managing forests in the face of worsening pest, drought, and catastrophic fire risks; *Locking carbon into long-lived wood products and innovative wood building construction; *Building on our successful track record of reducing greenhouse gas emissions at our mills. Carbon emissions at Canadian forest product mills have been reduced by nearly 70% since the early 1990s and we can do more. *Using what would otherwise be wood waste to further green our operations and providing lower-carbon materials and biofuels to help other industries decarbonize.

Whether delivery or takeout, as a weekday reprieve from cooking or festive food for a weekend celebration, people love their pizza. Over the course of a year in the U.S., people consume an estimated 3 billion pizzas. And during February’s Super Bowl game, Domino’s pizza in the U.S. typically sells around 2 million pizzas. The love for pizza has longevity, too. According to a Reader’s Digest poll, the single food that most Americans would want to eat for the rest of their lives is pizza. While we can debate Hawaiian versus pepperoni and turn our noses up at anchovies, there’s no agreeing to disagree on this: Pizza boxes can be recycled. There’s proof. Mired in myth, and confused by cheese and grease, people have been burying the pizza box in their trash bins, assuming it cannot be recycled. Allow me to set the record straight – it can!

Ahlstrom-Munksjö works to create innovative products that provide high performance as well as sustainability benefits for customers and consumers. As part of the company’s continuous commitment to sustainability, CelluStraw™ papers are now BPI® certified, in addition to carrying OK compost HOME and OK compost INDUSTRIAL certifications, qualifying compostability in a home environment and in industrial facilities. These certifications facilitate the possibility for Ahlstrom-Munksjö customers, whether converters or brand owners, to achieve their own sustainability goals. By using a scientific process, BPI officially certifies compostable products that meet ASTM D6400 and ASTM D6868 standards for compostability. BPI Certification proves that a material will compost in a composting facility, leaving behind no toxic residue or microplastics.

Stakeholders from around the world are invited to give feedback on the revised national forest certification system for Switzerland. Deadline for comments is 9 April. Give your feedback now! PEFC Switzerland revised the country’s national forest certification system following the entry into force of the revised 2018 PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard. After revising the national system in line with PEFC requirements, PEFC Switzerland submitted the revised system to PEFC. The national system is now undergoing the PEFC assessment process, carried out by an independent PEFC Registered Assessor. It must pass this process and be approved by the PEFC General Assembly before it can achieve endorsement.

Editor’s note from Kyle Field: Having spent 17 years working at a paper plant in a wide variety of roles, I am passionate about finding and sharing solutions for industries built around fossil fuels. The papermaking process is extremely energy intensive and requires thermal energy to dry paper, making it a challenging nut to crack. The path taken by Rolland to clean up its energy footprint is encouraging for the papermaking industry and serves as a model for other gas-consuming industries. As the corporate world continues to examine how to reduce its environmental footprint, and more businesses set strategies with climate change in mind, it is imperative they use energy in a way that’s clean, sustainable, and renewable during their manufacturing processes. At Rolland, we’re committed to industry-leading product quality, continuous improvement and environmental stewardship. This mission is driven by our employees, who help us promote a culture of constant innovation. In honor of National Energy Awareness Month, let’s take a closer look at this important component of our sustainable production process, including the challenge, the opportunity and the outcomes.

Sealed Air Corporation is announcing a bold new goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. This announcement follows the company’s successful execution of its sustainability strategy and performance against its 2020 goal to reduce the greenhouse gas intensity of its operations by 25%. The company far exceeded its 2020 goal by achieving more than a 44% reduction. The company is aiming to establish new benchmarks for mitigating environmental and societal risks such as climate change while generating long-term value for stakeholders and society. Among the actions Sealed Air is taking to reduce carbon emissions within the company’s operations, supply chain, and beyond are: *Adopting state-of-the-art technology and innovation for automated packaging solutions and systems, advanced recycling, and recyclable and renewable materials *Continuing investments in renewable energy such as a solar power project in California and a wind power project in Argentina *Improving efficiencies that reduce emissions in global operations for the company and its customers *Contributing to the reduction of waste across the value chain including making improvements to the shelf life of food and reducing food waste, enhancing transportation efficiency, and protecting goods in transit

The Indonesian Forestry Certification Cooperation (IFCC) recently submitted their national forest certification system to PEFC for re-endorsement. The public consultation, your chance to give your feedback on this revised system, will run from 8 March until 7 May. IFCC, the PEFC national member for Indonesia, revised the country’s national forest certification system following the entry into force of the revised 2018 PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard. The revised IFCC Forest Certification Scheme is also one of the first national systems submitted to PEFC for endorsement that includes a Trees Outside Forests (TOF) standard. TOF certification was one of the innovative developments of the 2018 PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard.

Crown Holdings, Inc. has been identified as a global leader for its actions and strategies to reduce emissions and manage climate risks in its supply chain. CDP, a leading global environmental impact non-profit organization, has awarded Crown a Supplier Engagement Rating (SER) of A as part of its annual climate change assessment of companies globally. This rating earns Crown a spot on the 2020 Supplier Engagement Leaderboard and puts the Company in the top 7% of 8,033 companies assessed by CDP. The SER provides a rating for how effectively companies engage their suppliers on climate change. CDP assessed performance on supplier engagement using a company's response to select questions on governance, targets, Scope 3 emissions and value chain engagement in the CDP Climate Change 2020 questionnaire. Climate Action is one of five central pillars of action under Crown's Twentyby30 sustainability strategy. As part of its commitments in this area, the Company has pledged to reduce absolute greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) from its supply chain (Scope 3) by 16% by 2030 from a 2019 baseline.

In the beginning of 2020 UPM committed to the United Nations Global Compact’s Business Ambition for 1.5°C, promising to pursue science-based measures to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5°C. UPM will meet this commitment by novel uses of their products, reducing CO2 emissions and by practicing climate positive forestry. Wood is renewable and recyclable, and even the production processes can yield important by-products. Biofuels can replace fossil-fuels, paper packaging can substitute plastics, biochemicals can replace fossil-based chemicals in industry and more wood in construction can be better for the environment than using concrete.

UPM has today joined The Climate Pledge, a cross-sector community of world-class companies working together to crack the climate crisis and to decarbonise our economy. These companies are committed to reach the targets of the Paris Agreement well in advance. The Climate Pledge was co-founded by Amazon and the Global Optimism. As a signatory of Climate Pledge UPM will • Measure and report greenhouse gas emissions on a regular basis • Implement decarbonisation strategies in line with the Paris Agreement through real business changes and innovations, including efficiency improvements, renewable energy, materials reductions, and other carbon emission elimination strategies • Neutralise any remaining emissions to achieve net-zero annual carbon emissions by 2040 — a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement’s goal of 2050

UPM has recently joined the EU’s Clean Hydrogen Alliance and become member of the Roundtable on Clean Hydrogen for industrial users. UPM has also joined the newly established Finnish Hydrogen Cluster. UPM is well-positioned for the hydrogen economy and wants to be proactive in the developments that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Clean hydrogen is emerging as one of the key enablers for the European Union goal to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. “Clean hydrogen provides several interesting opportunities for UPM. We have an in-house access to renewable and CO2-free electricity, water resources, biogenic CO2 and hands-on experience with hydrogen in our advanced biofuels production in Lappeenranta. Our specific knowhow and resources will enable UPM to develop possible new business opportunities in the emerging hydrogen economy”, states Jyrki Ovaska, Executive Vice President, UPM Technology. Ovaska represents UPM in the EU’s Roundtable on Clean Hydrogen for industrial users.

Mondi Steinfeld in Germany has been certified as CO2 neutral for its manufacturing processes by ClimatePartner, an organisation which supports companies in reducing and offsetting their CO2 emissions. This certification was awarded as a result of Mondi Steinfeld switching to renewable energy and supporting certain climate projects in 2020. Once the total emissions of the plant were calculated in 2019, ClimatePartner helped the plant find further ways to reduce, and then offset, its emissions with climate projects and measures such as switching to hydropower. As part of this certification, the plant in Steinfeld combined carbon offsetting with participation in a number of carbon trust projects. These projects engage in local and international reforestation efforts to protect environmentally sensitive regions, such as Brazil and some parts of Europe. The next local project will focus on protecting an environmentally vulnerable moor close to Lichtenau in Germany through reforestation, to protect diverse ecosystems and habitats for a variety of wildlife.

The China Forest Certification Council (CFCC) submitted their national forest certification system to PEFC for re-endorsement in December 2019. The public consultation, which is your chance to give your feedback on this revised system, will run from 1 March until 30 April. CFCC, the PEFC national member for China, revised the country’s national forest certification system following the entry into force of the revised 2018 PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard. The revised China Forest Certification Scheme is also the first national system submitted to PEFC for endorsement that includes a Trees Outside Forests (TOF) standard. TOF certification was one of the innovative developments of the 2018 PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard.

We’re proud to receive recognition from EcoVadis and the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) for our outstanding sustainability work in 2020. EcoVadis, a leading third-party provider of business sustainability ratings, measures performance across four categories when making their determination: Sustainable Procurement, Ethics, Labor & Human Rights, and Environment. Sappi North America’s overall score puts us in the top 1% of pulp and paper companies assessed. AF&PA named Sappi North America a recipient of its coveted Leadership in Sustainability - Water Award as part of its Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 Sustainability Awards program. Recognized for its “Caustic Reclaim and Reuse” project at its Somerset Mill in Skowhegan, Maine, the project reduced chemical demand and water usage at the site. Read more at: https://cdn-s3.sappi.com/s3fs-public/Sappi%20North%20America%20Sustainability%20Highlights.pdf

It’s been a busy start to the year and for us, much of that has been driven by the changing relationship we are seeing between consumers and packaging. Whether it is the growth in online shopping or a personal desire to be greener and more ethical in our consumption, we are seeing significant shifts in how we all relate to packaging materials. And as we build on these experiences, this year presents a unique opportunity for all of us: to shake up the green and circular economy agenda and be bold in our thinking. A recent article in Forbes noted that 2021 was the ‘Year of the Package’ and we continue to see the impact of that every day. At DS Smith, we only make fully recyclable paper-based packaging and are committed to a future free of plastics.

The Navigator Company achieved a Sustainalytics’ ESG Risk Rating score of 17.2 in December 2020. This is an improvement over previous years and allows the company to maintain its "Low ESG Risk Company" status for investors. The ESG Risk Ratings by Sustainalytics measures a company's performance in terms of sustainability by evaluating exposure to material ESG (environmental, social, and governance) risks and how the Company manages those risks. Navigator ranks 5th among a list of 79 global companies assessed by Sustainalytics in the Paper & Forestry industry cluster and 4th in the subset of 62 global companies in the Paper & Pulp cluster.

Plastic credits are poised to generate the momentum necessary to launch a circular plastic economy and give brands the opportunity to act. In order for brands to take action, they will need to follow these four priorities … The world’s plastic crisis is only growing worse: Plastic production continues to expand and single-use plastic has skyrocketed, thanks to COVID — and frankly, waste management cannot keep up. To make matters more challenging, there is no silver bullet to the plastic crisis. Our society requires plastic to function, but its consumption and disposal need to change drastically. As trillions of microplastics circulate our oceans and plastics choke our environment, accelerating system change is essential and imminently required. Aggravating the issue is the complexity of tackling the severe environmental and human costs. Currently, the ethical disposal and management of waste are starkly underfunded. In the next 20 years, we need $600 billion to bridge the evident funding gap in our system and turn this crisis around.

It has been announced that Amcor has been included within the S&P SAM Sustainability Yearbook, highlighting that it is making real progress on its ambitious sustainability goals. Amcor’s inclusion reflects the progress it has made, which includes reducing the intensity of its greenhouse gas emissions by 36%* since 2006. The Company has also been leading the packaging industry by creating innovative designs that are made in a more efficient way and use more recycled material. The Company is committed to making 100% of its packaging reusable or recyclable by 2025. Along with its inclusion in the SAM Sustainability Yearbook, Amcor’s efforts have seen it be recognised by a range of organisations over the last year, with the CDP scoring it an “A-” grade for Climate Change in its annual ratings.

Solenis has achieved the Gold Recognition Level for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) performance by EcoVadis, a collaborative platform providing sustainability ratings and performance improvement tools for global supply chains. This is the second year in a row in which the company attained Gold Status. “We are extremely proud that Solenis has once again earned this status,” said Dr. Daniel Grell, senior vice president, Environme​ntal​​, Health and Safety; Product Regulatory and Quality at Solenis. “We’ve transferred our internal emphasis on people, performance and continuous improvement to the area of sustainability. As a result, we improved our overall score from last year by nearly 10 percent.”

Extending the use of UPM BioVerno naphtha as a raw material in new applications such as clothing and sports equipment is an example of the collaboration needed to take us towards a future beyond fossils. Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE), known under the Dyneema brand as the world’s strongest fibre, is a material used in a variety of applications such as sports equipment, protective clothing, and offshore marine or air cargo netting. Committed to increasing the share of bio-based raw materials in the production of Dyneema, Royal DSM, a global science-based company in Nutrition, Health and Sustainable Living, teamed up with UPM Biofuels and global diversified chemicals company, SABIC, to improve the environmental impact of its materials. click read more below for details

Smurfit Kappa has announced ambitious new sustainability targets in a number of different areas. The new targets focus on a further reduction of its environmental footprint, increased support for the communities in which it operates and further enhancement to the lives of its employees. These targets build upon the company’s well-established sustainability record, on which it has been reporting since 2005, and are contained in the Better Planet 2050 commitments. Better Planet 2050 quantifies Smurfit Kappa’s continued commitment to sustainability, targeting environmental and social sustainability in areas where it believes it can have the greatest impact. These include delivering sustainable packaging to customers, reducing its environmental footprint in water usage, waste and carbon emissions and supporting its communities, promoting inclusion and diversity as well as health and safety. The targets identified are specific, measurable and provide a roadmap to deliver results in the short, medium and longer timeframes.

Stakeholders from around the world are invited to give feedback on the regional forest certification system for the Congo Basin. Deadline for comments is 1 April. Give your feedback now! Our national members for Cameroon, Congo and Gabon joined forces under the name of PAFC Congo Basin to develop this regional certification system – the first regional system submitted to PEFC for endorsement. The system is now undergoing the PEFC assessment process, carried out by an independent PEFC Registered Assessor. It must pass this process and be approved by the PEFC General Assembly before it can achieve endorsement.

With huge pressures on the economy, banks, telecom providers, utility companies and even governmental organizations are increasingly focused on switching their customers from paper to digital services to cut costs. All too often their customer communications attempt to mask these cost-saving efforts, justifying the switch with unfounded environmental marketing appeals such as “Go Green – Go Paperless” and “Choose e-billing and help save a tree.” “Not only are these greenwash claims in breach of established environmental marketing rules, but they are hugely damaging to an industry which has a solid and continually improving environmental record,” says Two Sides North America (TSNA) President Phil Riebel. “Far from ‘saving trees,’ a healthy market for forest products such as paper encourages the long-term growth of forests through sustainable forest management. Many of the organizations we engage are surprised to learn that over the last 30 years, U.S. forests have grown by some 18 million acres while net forest area in Canada has remained about the same.” Click read more for the rest of the story

UPM has established a Green Finance Framework as part of its aim to create a future beyond fossils. This accelerates the company’s commitment to green values and ensures a high environmental standard across all operations. All things green have become an essential part of the worlds of investments and financing. Hence, every company must now walk the walk when it comes to sustainability. “A lot of companies can claim to be green and sustainable, but not all can put their money where their mouth is, and even fewer can do so in a project as impactful as the case of UPM,” says Jacob Michaelsen, Nordea’s Head of Sustainable Finance Advisory. Click read more below for more of the story.

UPM moves forward with biofuels growth plans and starts the basic engineering phase of a next generation biorefinery. The potential biorefinery would have an annual capacity of 500,000 tonnes of high-quality renewable fuels including sustainable jet fuel. The products would significantly reduce carbon footprint in the road transport and aviation, as well as replace fossil raw materials with renewable alternatives in chemicals and bioplastics. “The planned biorefinery would scale up UPM’s successful biofuels business to a new level. At the same time, it would further improve long term competitiveness and sustainability performance of UPM Biofuels by introducing several sustainable feedstocks and achieving uniquely high CO2 emission reduction compared to biofuels currently in the market,” says Jyrki Ovaska, Chief Technology Officer of UPM. UPM’s solid wood biomass-based residues and side streams would play a substantial role in the feedstock pool. In addition, it would consist of sustainable liquid waste and residue raw materials.

Turning our manufacturing byproducts into usable products is just one of the ways Domtar works to operate efficiently and responsibly. These efforts reduce costs, but they also can help balance soil chemistry and increase crop yields for local farmers. In addition, reusing byproducts keeps the material out of landfills. In 2019, we beneficially reused 67 percent of our pulp and paper manufacturing byproducts, compared to an industry average of 46 percent. Take, for example, our use of lime manufacturing byproducts to treat acidic wastewater. One mill’s “trash” is another mill’s “treasure.” Our Nekoosa and Rothschild mills have discovered a mutual benefit to the lime byproduct produced in the process of making pulp. The two mills, located about 50 miles apart in Wisconsin, use different processes for pulping, one of the earliest stages of papermaking. These processes leave Nekoosa with excess lime residuals and Rothschild with acidic wastewater. Click read more below for the rest of the article.

Sappi Limited is proud to announce that its South African division has been awarded the first ever Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) forest management certificate in South Africa. This achievement indicates that Sappi Southern Africa’s forest management practices meet the requirements for sustainable forest management set out in the PEFC-endorsed standard for South Africa, SAFAS (Sustainable African Forest Assurance Scheme). Commenting on behalf of PEFC International, Ben Gunneberg, CEO & Secretary General said “This certificate is a landmark in South Africa. At a time when climate smart solutions are so needed, it’s imperative that we expand sustainable forest management practices in all regions of the world. We are delighted that Sappi’s forests in South Africa have become PEFC-certified and look forward to welcoming further growth of PEFC certification in the country.” The certification will now enable Sappi to offer PEFC certified wood from its plantations in South Africa, giving further assurance to Sappi’s local and global customers that the wood raw material originates from responsibly managed forests.

Mondi announces its 10 year sustainability action plan, MAP2030, designed to tackle global issues across the value chain. All areas are aligned to the UN Sustainable Development goals as part of Mondi's focus on being sustainable by design. Each action area of Mondi’s Action Plan 2030 (MAP2030) has three commitments underpinned by targets and KPIs. Circular Driven Solutions - Committed to making innovative packaging and paper solutions that keep materials in circulation and prevent waste. This includes a target to make 100% of its products reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025. Created by Empowered People - Developing an empowered and inclusive team who can contribute to a better world. A key target is to increase female representation across all levels at Mondi from 21% to at least 30% by 2030. This requires four in ten hires to be women throughout the next decade. Taking action on Climate - Focusing on climate resilience through its forests and operations for the future of the planet. Targets include reducing its greenhouse gas emissions in line with science-based targets and maintaining zero deforestation in its wood supply as its business grows.

Smurfit Kappa has today announced ambitious new sustainability targets in a number of different areas. The new targets focus on a further reduction of its environmental footprint, increased support for the communities in which it operates and further enhancement to the lives of its employees. These targets build upon the company’s well-established sustainability record, on which it has been reporting since 2005, and are contained in the Better Planet 2050 commitments. Better Planet 2050 quantifies Smurfit Kappa’s continued commitment to sustainability, targeting environmental and social sustainability in areas where it believes it can have the greatest impact. These include delivering sustainable packaging to customers, reducing its environmental footprint in water usage, waste and carbon emissions and supporting its communities, promoting inclusion and diversity as well as health and safety. The targets identified are specific, measurable and provide a roadmap to deliver results in the short, medium and longer timeframes.

Tetra Pak has introduced a new collaborative innovation model with leading paperboard producers, a move aimed at tackling the food packaging industry’s sustainability challenges. The traditional operating model of a linear supply chain has changed, and a new partnership ecosystem model is emerging, where the entire industry works in close collaboration. This brings together not only producers and suppliers, but also research institutions, universities and start-ups in an attempt to find solutions. According to the latest research the global food supply chain system is responsible for 26% of global greenhouse gas emissions; a third of all food is lost or wasted somewhere in the supply chain; fossil fuel-based materials need to be phased out; and significant improvements are needed to the way packaging is dealt with after use.

UPM has been ranked on the 22nd place in the list of 100 most sustainable corporations by the Canadian-based media and research company Corporate Knights. "The Global 100 Index uses determined quantitative sustainability indicators in its evaluation. The approach fits well in UPM’s approach which highlights the importance of ambitious long-term targets and transparency of performance and data,” says Sami Lundgren, Vice President, Responsibility at UPM. UPM is among the 28 Global 100 companies that have signed the UN Business Ambition for 1.5°C. The company is committed to reducing its CO2 emissions, practicing climate-positive forestry and innovating sustainable alternatives to fossil-based products. As one of the UN Global Compact LEAD companies, UPM has recently put major efforts on integrating the SDGs into its product development processes. Our innovations create value and business opportunities that go beyond fossils.

PEFC Switzerland revised the country’s national forest certification system following the entry into force of the revised 2018 PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard. In order to provide you with additional information about this revised national system, we are holding a webinar on 8 February, at 10:00 CET. The webinar is free to attend, and everyone is welcome. Register for the webinar at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZItf-yvrToiG9ajX1uyrbU0GSLyC4cUuJWn

Sappi North America, Inc. announced that it has extended its current SmartWay® Transport Partnership, an innovative collaboration between U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and industry. The SmartWay Transport Partnership provides a framework to assess the environmental and energy efficiency of goods movement supply chains and benchmark overall performance. This is Sappi's 12th consecutive year as a SmartWay Transport Partner, and the company will continue to contribute to the Partnership's savings of 279.7 million barrels of oil, $37.5 billion in fuel costs and 134 million tons of air pollutants. This collective effort is the equivalent of the annual electricity use in 18.2 million homes. By being a part of the SmartWay Transport Partnership, Sappi demonstrates its strong environmental leadership and corporate responsibility. As a certified shipper partner, Sappi utilizes carriers that leverage technology and design to minimize their collective carbon footprint. Sappi works toward increasing the amount of freight moved on intermodal and rail as well as increasing the amount of freight moved on certified carriers.

PAFC Congo Basin submitted their regional forest certification system to PEFC for endorsement in December last year. The public consultation, which is your chance to give your feedback on this new system, will run from 1 February to 1 April. In order to provide you with additional information about this regional system, we are holding a webinar on 1 February, at 10:00 CET. The webinar is free to attend, and everyone is welcome. Our national members for Cameroon, Congo and Gabon joined forces under the name of PAFC Congo Basin to develop this regional certification system. The shared language and the similar forestry conditions in the three neighbouring countries enables PAFC Cameroon, PAFC Congo and PAFC Gabon to share one system.

Recycling of materials is considered to be an important part of a circular economy, but a new study published in Nature Sustainability questions the potential environmental benefits that come from paper recycling. Recycling paper materials may not be all it’s cracked up to be according to a study conducted by researchers at Yale University and University College London. Published in Nature Sustainability in October 2020, the study points out that the recycling of paper materials in particular could have a negative impact on the climate. click read more below for more...

According to the recently published comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study, paper-based single-use products provide significant key environmental advantages when compared to reusable tableware for in-store dining in Quick Service Restaurants (QSR). These advantages are primarily driven by the carbon emissions related to the amount of energy required to wash the tableware as well as the amount of freshwater used in the washing process in a multi-use system. A recent study conducted by Ramboll, a leading global engineering, design and consultancy company and certified by TÜV, one of the world’s leading testing service providers, compares the environmental impact of paper-based single-use packaging to that of reusable tableware in an in-store dining setting in Quick Service Restaurants in Europe. The full environmental impact was scientifically measured for both applications across multiple criteria and scenarios. Importantly, the results showed that: • For climate change, the single-use system shows very significant benefits. In fact, in the baseline scenario, the polypropylene-based multi-use system was responsible for generating 2.7 times more CO2-e emissions than the paper-based single-use system. The single main contributor to climate change impact in the multi-use baseline scenario is the electricity demand of the washing process. Overall, the use phase accounts for 83% of the total aggregated impact. • For Freshwater Consumption, there are also very significant environmental benefits to the single-use system. The multi-use system used 3.6 times the amount of freshwater in the baseline scenario.

On Thursday 11 February 2021, the IJmond Sustainable Award will be presented during the digital kick-off conference of the Upcycle Your Waste project for a circular economy. The IJmond Environment Agency grants this award to companies that consciously opts for sustainability in its business operations and / or product(s). The nominees for this year are BTAC Solutions in IJmuiden, Patina Dakdenkers in Beverwijk and Crown Van Gelder in Velsen-Noord. All three nominees show how logical, important and diverse sustainable entrepreneurship can be. This years theme is pioneering, which all nominees fit well into this category. A jury consisting of an aldermen and the winner of the last sustainability award will decide together who will receive the IJmond Sustainable Award. The winner will be announced during the conference on 11 February 2021.

Last September, PEFC Austria concluded the Wish forest campaign, run in collaboration with DIY store BAUHAUS and laminate flooring brand LOGOCLIC. The campaign saw 60,000 trees planted in Austrian forests, with active support of pupils from local primary schools. The young trees for the planting campaign were sponsored by LOGOCLIC and BAUHAUS. The companies promised to plant a tree for every five m2 of LOGOCLIC Wish Forest Edition laminate flooring sold. The final outcome for 2019 was an incredible 60,000 trees planted in the autumn.

As the climate changes, ecosystems around the world are also changing. Some say trees are getting shorter and younger, but there are ways to mitigate this. Environmental and climate changes are transforming the world’s forests. A new study published by scientists at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) suggests that these changes are causing trees to become smaller and younger. Is this really the case and if yes, what can we do about it? Indeed, the rising temperatures are a source of stress for trees. Matti Maajärvi, Senior Specialist of Global Forest Affairs at UPM Forest, says that as the climate changes, “the frequency of negative natural phenomena – such as extreme droughts, forest fires and mass outbursts of pests – can impact the forests adversely.”

“We delivered 103.5 million seedlings, which is over a million more than our previous record. It’s great to have succeeded so well, especially considering the coronavirus pandemic. In the spring, we were concerned that we would be forced to discard seedlings due to the coronavirus, but it turns out we didn’t have to. Instead, we had a record season that will be hard to beat for a while,” says Peter Engblom, business developer at NorrPlant. Of the 103.5 million seedlings that were delivered, 63 million were pine seedlings, 33 million spruce seedlings, 7 million contorta pine seedlings and nearly 600,000 larch seedlings. “Pine dominates the forests owned by SCA. Deliveries of pine seedlings are also increasing among our external customers,” says Peter. The majority of seedlings were delivered to external customers, from Karlstad in the south to Kiruna in the north. NorrPlant also exported some seedlings to Sweden’s neighboring countries.

Our customers want to feel good about shopping at Walmart, and they count on us to deliver access to products that are safe, healthier and affordable in a way that is sustainable. For more than 15 years, we’ve been collaborating with others to drive positive impact across global supply chains. We’re on a path to becoming a more regenerative company that works to restore, renew and replenish, in addition to conserving nature. Part of meeting that goal is found in how we treat the world’s forests. Healthy forests help sustain biodiversity, support livelihoods and play an important role in combatting climate change by naturally sequestering carbon dioxide. But deforestation continues to occur at an alarming rate. According to the World Resources Institute, we lost the equivalent of a soccer field of primary rainforest every six seconds in 2019. That’s why we continue to take a holistic approach to addressing deforestation – from certification and monitoring to sustainable sourcing, advocacy and more. Walmart is focused on key commodities that, according to the World Economic Forum, drive deforestation in tropical forests: palm oil, pulp and paper, timber, beef and soy. click read more below for the rest of the story

The Appalachian Woodlands Alliance has won the 2020 Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Leadership Award. for its work to expand forest certification opportunities for small landowners. Domtar is a proud partner in the Appalachian Woodlands Alliance (AWA), joining the Rainforest Alliance and other forest products manufacturers in supporting small, private landowners in the Southeastern United States who manage healthy and productive forests. This leadership award recognizes uncommon excellence in advancing responsible forest management and forest conservation. Domtar and the AWA are proud to stand alongside landowners, retailers, manufacturers, organizations and others who promote responsible sourcing and forest certification, both of which help protect the natural resources that are vital to our industry.