PEFC was delighted to welcome new national members from Ghana, Hungary, Macedonia, Republic of Korea, Romania and Thailand. You have to look back to the early days of our organization for so many members joining in one year. These new members join a fantastic network of organizations, and many of their activities can be found throughout the Annual Review.

Young people are at the centre of a sustainable future, and FSC is looking for a passionate youth correspondent who can engage their peers by covering this important event with originality, accuracy and inspiring reporting. The FSC GA 2017 is FSC’s highest decision-making body. Eight hundred participants from 70 countries - representing social, economic and environmental interests from the Global North and South – will meet in Vancouver to discuss a sustainable future for the world’s forests and the people that inhabit them.

Hundreds of wishes drawn in sand wound their way through the forest in celebration of the International Day of Forests. This spectacular art action marked the conclusion of the nationwide Wunschwald (or Forest of Wishes) campaign by PEFC Germany. People from around the country were invited to share their personal wishes for the forests of the future, and international action artist Gijs van Bon brought the most popular wishes into reality.

Metsä Board, the leading European producer of premium fresh fibre paperboards and part of Metsä Group, has achieved the Gold level rating by EcoVadis for its approach to sustainability. Overall Metsä Board was ranked in the top 1% of suppliers assessed by EcoVadis across all categories. “We are very proud to have achieved this level of ranking. The assessment further enforces Metsä Board’s continued commitment to sustainability. We recognise that sustainability must go beyond regulatory compliance to also focus on how companies manage their economic, social, and environmental impacts, as well as their relationships with stakeholders such as customers, employees, suppliers and government,” says Soili Hietanen, VP Sustainability and Energy at Metsä Board.

In Rolland’s “Conversations with Green Champions,” Rolland President Philip Rundle speaks with sustainability-minded organizations about their approach to environmental responsibility. LUSH – the inventor, manufacturer and retailer of fresh, handmade cosmetics – sees sustainability as “giving back more to the planet than we are taking or consuming.” LUSH North America’s Katrina Shum, Sustainability Officer, and Karen Moll, Ethical Buyer, speak on subjects ranging from developing strategy to developing products, and from ethical campaigning to ethical buying.

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Fiber Sourcing Standard is now recognized by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) as a tool that meets PEFC requirements for the avoidance of controversial sources in the PEFC Chain of Custody standard. “PEFC is pleased to support initiatives of its members that are unique and innovative such as the SFI Fiber Sourcing Standard, which provides an effective mechanism to demonstrate compliance with PEFC Chain of Custody requirements concerning controversial sources at a global level, while promoting the responsible procurement of wood fibre for SFI manufacturing facilities across the USA and Canada,” said Ben Gunneberg, CEO and Secretary General of PEFC International, in a PEFC blog. click Read More below for additional detail

In the decade since it started formally measuring its sustainability impact, Smurfit Kappa reached full Chain of Custody certification for its entire raw material supply chain. At the same time it has cut CO₂ emissions by 23% and the quality of its discharge water improved by 32%, both on track for its 2020 target of 25% and 33% respectively. Smurfit Kappa’s sustainability report, which measures year-on-year progress with a focus on five priority areas (Forest, Climate Change, Water, Waste and People), shows that over the past ten years the packaging giant has also achieved a significant reduction in the amount of waste sent to landfill and has invested €60 million in water treatment plants. click Read More below for additional detail

UPM has actively cooperated with FSC both on international and national level for several years. The company has been involved in developing the FSC certification in order to enhance its applicability to the fragmented private forest ownership in Finland. This work will be strengthened through the newly agreed partnership. "We are delighted to formalize our collaboration with UPM. It is vitally important that FSC has a strong relationship with sustainability leaders of the paper and forest products industry to expand the FSC footprint globally. We agree on the importance of FSC for all parties in the value chain from forest owners to consumers. UPM and FSC also share a common understanding of the importance of responsible forestry and the sustainable use of wood in the bioeconomy", says Kim Carstensen, Director General, Forest Stewardship Council. click Read More below for additional detail

Members of the North American Forest Partnership, a diverse group of individuals, companies, state agencies, the U.S. Forest Service, non-profits and professional organizations committed to the management of sustainable, healthy forests, launched a first-of-its-kind communications effort - Walk in the Woods. The effort tells the stories of the men and women who work in the forest sector in the U.S. and Canada and opens a dialogue about the important work they do as caretakers of precious forest resources. "We're inviting those outside our sector to walk in the woods with us and learn about our work as responsible, innovative stewards of North America's many different forests," said Will Novy-Hildesley, Executive Director, North American Forest Partnership. "Our goal is to engage those passionate about the future of our forests in an ongoing conversation and provide honest answers to the questions we know people have about what we do and why we do it." The initiative is born from research which studied the attitudes and perceptions of North America’s forest resources. The research uncovered differences in understanding among the forest sector and the public around key topics such as deforestation, forest management and the sustainability of forest resources. click Read More below for more of the story

The European paper recycling value chain has already made significant strides on the paper recycling rate in the EU having reached a near theoretical maximum of 71.5% in 2015. The industry is now seeking to make another move forward with an enhanced rate of 74% by 2020 building on the progress achieved since 2000 by preceding European Declarations on Paper Recycling. Recycling Target“Having already achieved an effective recycling rate of 71.5%, the European paper recycling value chain is willing to go a step further with a new 74% target. This elevated rate will play an integral role in boosting the circularity of Europe’s economy” says Ulrich Leberle, Secretary of the EPRC/Raw Materials Director at CEPI. Further steps will also be made to enhance the quality of paper recycling with greater emphasis on recyclability in design and manufacturing of paper products and improving techniques for removing ink from paper products. click Read More below for additional detail

Stakeholders around the world are invited to comment on the Cameroonian, Canadian and Uruguayan national forest certification systems, following their submission to PEFC for endorsement. To give your feedback, head to our Online Consultation Tool. This is the first time Cameroon has submitted its national forest certification system to PEFC, an important step forward for PEFC certification in Africa. If successfully endorsed, Cameroon will join Gabon as one of the countries leading the way for the certification of sustainable forest management practices in the continent. Make your comments now! The deadline for comments is 9 July 2017. For Canada and Uruguay, this is the third and second time, respectively, that the countries have applied for endorsement by PEFC. The deadline for comments on both these systems is 3 July 2017 – give your feedback for Canada and Uruguay. click Read More below for additional detail

“The voluntary, market-driven recovery system, the millions of Americans who recycle every day, and industry efforts to inform consumers about the importance of paper recycling continue to enable a high U.S. paper recovery rate,” said AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman. “Paper recovery for recycling helps extend the useful life of paper and paper-based packaging products, making it an integral part of our industry’s sustainability story,” said AF&PA Board Chair and Clearwater Paper Corporation President and CEO Linda Massman. The annual paper recovery rate has doubled since 1990 and U.S. paper recovery has met or exceeded 63 percent for the past eight years. click Read More below for additional detail

Do you want to give your feedback as we revise our standard setting process? But feel like you need more information on how our standard is changing? Then make sure you register for our upcoming webinars! Taking place this Thursday 11 and Friday 12 May, these webinars will introduce and explain the main changes to PEFC ST 1001 – the standard governing our standard setting requirements. There will also be an open question and answer session – make sure you register now so you don’t miss out. click Read More below for additional detail

"Holmen has a long history of working actively on sustainability issues. With our considerable renewable forest and hydro power assets and our products based on fresh fibre, we help drive the transition to a more sustainable society," says Holmen's President and CEO Henrik Sjölund. "The aim of the new post is to draw on our excellent sustainability assets to strengthen our business." Stina Sandell comes to Holmen from SBAB, where she was Head of Sustainability, and before that her positions have included Director of Sustainability and Communications at AMF. She will begin her new job in May. click Read More below for additional detail

American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Donna Harman issued the following statement regarding Congressional passage of the fiscal year 2017 Omnibus Appropriations bill – legislation that includes language clarifying federal regulatory policy to reflect the carbon-neutrality of forest-based biomass. The U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate passed the measure, and President Trump is expected to sign it into law. “U.S. paper and wood products manufacturers have for seven years sought clear policy direction on the carbon neutrality of forest-based renewable biomass energy. Thanks to Congressional action, federal agencies can now ensure the U.S. is no longer out of step with our global competitors. Today’s action is the type of policy that can foster growth in U.S. manufacturing. click Read More below for more of the story

Do you want to give your feedback as we revise our standard setting process? But feel like you need more information on how our standard is changing? Then make sure you register for our upcoming webinars! Taking place next week on Thursday 11 and Friday 12 May, these webinars will introduce and explain the main changes to PEFC ST 1001 – the standard governing our standard setting requirements. There will also be an open question and answer session – make sure you register now so you don’t miss out. We’re holding the webinar twice, at two different times, to ensure everybody around the world can take part: Thursday 11 May, from 3:00 - 4:00 PM (CEST) & Friday 12 May, from 9:00 – 10:00 AM (CEST). click Read More below for additional detail

Sappi North America, a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper and packaging products, has announced the release of its 2016 Sustainability Report. The report showcases Sappi’s industry leading sustainability performance. “Each year, we look forward to reporting our progress against the five year goals we set to ensure that Sappi North America continues as a thriving, sustainable, re-investable paper and paper-based packaging company,” said Mark Gardner, President and CEO, Sappi North America. “In addition to our award-winning environmental practices, this year, I am also proud of the continued innovation in our products, reinvestment in our business and commitment to safety by our employees and stakeholders. We have an eye to the future and we’re eager to see what the next year brings.” click Read More below for additional detail

UPS announced it will deploy a prototype extended range Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) in its Rolling Laboratory fleet of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles. UPS is working with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and other partners to design a first-of-its-kind, zero tailpipe emissions, Class 6 medium-duty delivery truck that meets the same route and range requirements of UPS’s existing conventional fuel vehicles. Unlike fuel cell auxiliary power units, this vehicle will use the onboard fuel cell to generate electricity to propel the vehicle. This project is an important step toward demonstrating the commercial viability of zero tailpipe emissions trucks to fleet operators and the developing FCEV supply chain. click Read More below for additional detail

“Achieving PEFC certification further enforces our commitment to sustainable forestry and provides our customers with a complete range of fully certified timber products,” said Daryl Fahy, Managing Director of Earrai Coillte Chonnacht Teoranta (ECC), the first sawmill to achieve PEFC Chain of Custody certification in Ireland. “PEFC certification is a natural fit with our expanding business and obtaining PEFC certification proved to be a fairly seamless and straightforward process, achieved with little difficulty and few changes to our existing management and quality control systems,” added Conor Fahy, ECC Quality Manager. ECC was established in 1992 in a remote rural location in the west of Ireland in Connemara, Co. Galway and has grown to become one of the largest and most innovative sawmills in the country. click Read More below for more of the story