To align with anti-greenwashing regulations, FSC is now revising the FSC Trademark Use Guide for Promotional Licence Holders The guide sets the rules for how retailers and brands may use FSC trademarks to promote their commitment to sustainable forestry. Why this revision matters The revised guide is a key step in reinforcing FSC’s anti-greenwashing position. It will introduce clear rules for trademark use, ready-to use promotional statements, and practical guidance to help promotional licence holders communicate with FSC. Timeline and implementation The publication of the revised FSC Trademark Use Guide is planned for 1 June 2026, with the updated requirements becoming effective on 1 September 2026.

WestRock announced it has entered into two virtual power purchase agreements (VPPAs) with ENGIE North America (ENGIE), a subsidiary of ENGIE S.A. and global leader in the net zero energy transition. The VPPAs are designed to add renewable energy to the U.S. energy grid and mark a step forward in WestRock’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The agreements support two of ENGIE’s solar projects – Bernard Creek located in Wharton County, Texas and Chillingham Solar located in Bell County, Texas – for an aggregate of 282 megawatts (MW). The new projects comprise one element of WestRock’s strategy to pursue a science-based target (SBT) to reduce Scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 27.5% by 2030. Schneider Electric provided advisory services and strategy management for the WestRock and ENGIE agreements.

Many banks, utilities, telecoms and other service providers continue to encourage (and sometimes force) their customers to switch from paper to electronic communications, using claims that electronic communication is “greener,” “saves trees” or “protects the planet” as justification. One can only conclude that the CEOs of these companies are either 1) misinformed about the inherent sustainability of print and paper, the rapidly expanding environmental footprint of digital communications or both, 2) trusting marketing teams who don’t bother to validate environmental claims or 3) seeking to save costs by ignoring established environmental marketing rules from the U.S. FTC and Canadian Standards Association that say marketers “should not make broad, unqualified environmental benefit claims like “green” and that “claims should be clear, prominent and specific.” There’s no arguing that the use of electronic devices has exploded over the last decade. According to a 2019 study by the Pew Research Center, the vast majority of Americans (81%) now own smartphones, up from just 35% in 2011. Nearly three-quarters of U.S. adults now own desktop or laptop computers, and roughly half now own tablets and e-readers. This boom has resulted in many advances that make our lives more efficient, productive and enjoyable. But it has also brought with it serious and increasing environmental, health and economic consequences.