“I would first like to thank Stéphane Marchesi, who, after 16 years of leading PEFC France, has decided it is time to move on,” said Ben Gunneberg, CEO of PEFC International, following two days in Paris. “In these last few days I have met with senators, civil society organizations, numerous companies and the general public, and it has been fantastic to see the level of support of PEFC in France: a legacy of Stéphane’s commitment to PEFC over the last almost two decades.” Mr. Gunneberg was joined by Peter Latham, Chairman of the PEFC International Board, in Paris in late September for a special two-day program as PEFC France launched their new model. Click Read More below for more of the story.

"We are seeing companies step up to help protect forests, even as we all use forest products every day," said Corey Brinkema, president of the Forest Stewardship Council US. "This momentum comes not a moment too soon, as climate change puts the need for forest conservation front and center," he added. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, all transportation accounts for 14 percent of global carbon emissions, while experts estimate deforestation and forest degradation to contribute up to 15 percent. Healthy forests currently offer the best way to pull carbon out of the atmosphere. Recent research in the US Pacific Northwest finds FSC-certified forest management stores at least 45 percent more carbon than standard forestry. Click Read More below for more of the story.

Log tracking, dynamic data transfer, blockchain… what are the ‘must have’ technologies that can help us to strengthen trust and traceability throughout supply chains? What technologies are showing promise for transferring complex information in a useable and credible form? How can technology help certification to deliver more value to companies and customers? Where are technologies showing promise to supporting auditors to verify compliance? Technology compliments nearly all aspects of Chain of Custody management. New and emerging hardware, software, services and tools are enhancing the robustness of certification and accelerating the flow of information through supply chains. In this session, we will feature some of the latest and greatest technological developments from certified forestry supply chains. Together, we hope to inspire and re-imagine how the information flow and product assurances of certified products can continue to evolve in the future. Click Read More below for additional detail.

In an effort for transparency, FSC certified Forest Managers have created a high-resolution map showing the location and borders of the forests they harvest. This is timely in a context of a broader discussion to develop spatial data, at FSC but also in the forestry sector in general. The map has come a long way. It was created according to a request from different environmental organisations, community associations, individuals and companies. As per the FSC Principles and Criteria, any stakeholder must be able to contact Forest Management companies to share any supported concerns if they think companies are not managing the land in a responsible way. Forest Managers came together to discuss the matter and agreed to provide relevant data on a voluntary base in order to create the map. Although not all companies have shared their data, we hope they will be encouraged to follow the same path. Click Read More below for additional detail.

American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Donna Harman issued the following statement regarding the final rule on National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Kraft pulp mills, issued under the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Residual Risk and Technology Review process. “The EPA’s final rule confirming that the 2001 maximum achievable control technology (MACT) protects public health underscores the value of our industries’ investment in and commitment to air quality and sustainability. Pulp mill operations can now move forward with certainty, knowing that investments of more than $1.5 billion in state-of-the-art, emission reduction controls and technologies are effectively reducing emissions.”

Holmen has gained international recognition for its strategic sustainability work, with a focus on the bioeconomy and a sustainable approach to forestry. The Golden Peacock Awards jury made particular reference to Holmen’s absorption of carbon dioxide in its growing forest and the climate benefit from its products. “Being the first Swedish company to receive this global sustainability award is a mark of the quality of our long-term sustainability work. Holmen manages its forest holdings actively and sustainably, with the raw material from the forest forming a key component in society’s drive to meet the challenge of climate change. We are extremely proud to have our strategy recognised in this way,” comments Henrik Sjölund, President and CEO of Holmen. Click Read More below for more of the story.

From new recycled paper facestock to marble-based “paper” and compostable adhesive, Avery Dennison is offering brand owners and converters an increasingly wide choice of sustainable options for their needs. “Avery Dennison is making excellent progress toward our ambitious 2025 sustainability goals we announced at Labelexpo Europe in 2015,” said Renae Kezar, sr. director, global leader of sustainability. “At Labelexpo 2017 in Brussels, we provided a detailed update on our performance against these goals, releasing our Sustainability Report 2015-2017, while also showcasing our range of sustainable products and solutions”, Kezar continues. Avery Dennison is rolling out its Forest Stewardship Council-certified Recycled Paper Facestock range. The range helps brand owners meet their sustainability targets. Next to that, label printers and converters want to differentiate themselves and increase their value in the supply chain by helping brand owners to achieve those goals. Click Read More below for additional detail.

Tetra Pak today published its 2017 Sustainability Report, highlighting the company’s annual progress and key achievements in the areas of environmental performance, social responsibility and corporate governance. For the first time since it started publishing a Sustainability report in 2004, the company has adopted Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines, the most widely-used international framework for measuring and communicating sustainability performance. Chris Huntley, Senior Vice President Communications at Tetra Pak and the chair of the company’s Sustainability Forum said: “The GRI framework provides a mechanism for us to report our progress on sustainability against an industry-wide standard, improving both the clarity and transparency of our yearly reports. Perhaps more importantly, it also introduces a common methodology for identifying the environmental, social and governance aspects of our operations that are most critical to our business, to our customers and to society – helping us to ensure we give these due priority”. Click Read More below for additional detail.

The theme of this year’s National Forest Week 2017 is Our Stories, Our Future. We value the people, the partnerships and the innovation that goes into sustainable forest management. We think these stories are worth celebrating! 1. It’s a Milestone Year: 60 Years of Tree Planting Since 1957 we have planted nearly 1 billion trees. It is a big part of why we grow more than we harvest every year. We cannot celebrate this 60-year milestone without celebrating the tree planters who have made it happen. One way we thank our student tree planters is to send them back to college or university with a scholarship at the end of the planting season. The 2017 season saw 58 student tree planters awarded a total of $47,250 in scholarships. To date, $454,500 has been awarded to full-time students who have planted trees across JDI-owned or managed lands. 2. Proud to Conserve Nature’s Beauty with Exceptional Partners Unique Areas: Our voluntary and award-winning Unique Areas program has grown from 29 sites in the 1980’s to over 1 300 sites to date on the lands we own and manage in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Maine. We value the partnerships we have with many environmental and community groups as well as local universities to help identify, conserve and study these special places which include aesthetics, wildlife, historic sites and more. https://irvingwoodlands.com/jdi-woodlands-healthy-forest-conservation.aspx. Click Read More below for more of the story.

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI) announced today that J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI) is the 2017 winner of the SFI Leadership in Conservation Award. This award, announced at the SFI Annual Conference, recognizes SFI Program Participants across Canada and the U.S. who are involved in strong partnerships focused on conservation. In 2016, SFI Program Participants reported on 420 different audited research projects with more than 500 unique partner organizations. JDI collaborated in 68 forest research projects, the highest number of any SFI Program Participant. Project highlights include JDI’s award-winning Unique Areas Program, which has grown from 29 sites in the 1980s to more than 1,300 today, it focuses on protecting unique elements in working forests. The sites are found and mapped by over 100 forestry professionals working in Maine, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The program has four broad objectives: preserving rare and uncommon species and landscape features; monitoring important indicator species; establishing a database of species and natural features; and engaging the public and stakeholders. Click Read More below for additional detail.

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI) announced today that the Maine SFI Implementation Committee is the winner of the 2017 SFI Implementation Committee Achievement Award. This award, announced at the SFI Annual Conference, recognizes the exceptional work of the grassroots network of 34 SFI Implementation Committees across the U.S. and Canada. Groups ranging from Habitat for Humanity and Boy Scouts to universities and Ducks Unlimited Canada work with SFI Implementation Committees. "Education and outreach have long been a strength of the Maine SFI Implementation Committee. Every year we hold multiple events and workshops that involve hundreds of people and benefit our communities. Having these efforts recognized with an SFI award is hugely gratifying," said Pat Sirois, the Maine SFI Coordinator. "This award really belongs to the network of countless people who care about Maine's forests. We all share the benefits of the healthy, productive forests that are such a significant part of the quality of life in our state." Click Read More below for additional detail.

UPM Biofuels is one of six finalists for the Industry Leadership category in Bioenergy at the 2017 Platts Global Energy Awards - often described as the Oscars of the energy industry. UPM Biofuels is nominated for its wood-based low emission advanced UPM BioVerno biofuels, and its one-of-a-kind commercial scale biorefinery in Lappeenranta, Finland. The Platts Global Energy Awards honour organisations and individuals who are dedicated to achieving excellence in the energy industry, recognising top performers - industry leaders and innovators in the energy industry. The Bioenergy Industry Leader Award recognises a recent innovation in bioenergy that is market competitive, ecologically sound and minimises undesirable environmental impacts. The nominees must be producing or enhancing the application of bioenergy solutions. The judging criteria include challenges, financial results, innovation, leadership and operational excellence. Click Read More below for more of the story.

Charta Global, provider of office and graphical papers, food grade and packaging boards for North and South America and strategic partner to Asia Pulp & Paper, has announced its eco-friendly Foopak food and beverage packaging line offers products capable of biodegrading in a matter of 12 weeks. The Bio Natura Cup stock, providing the food and restaurant industries with a comprehensive family of sustainable packaging solutions, brings this sustainable option to an underserved part of the market. Foopak Bio Natura Cup stock is FDA-certified and meets the standards with the FTC’s Green Guides for biodegradability and compostability. Through testing by the Isega Institute, Charta Global has maintained scientific evidencethe stock can completely break down and return to nature by decomposing in a matter of 12 weeks. Additionally, the Bio Natura Cup stock can be safety composted in a facility or home compost pile. Click Read More below for more of the story.

Below are some of the highlights from the 2016 Forestry and Forest Products Reports: All Forest Products Operations Summary Healthy Environment •Today’s JDI forestry and forest products operations will absorb more than we emit over the next 50 years. Planting almost 1 billion trees, and reducing emissions at our manufacturing sites means we will absorb 92 million tonnes of CO2 - equal to 360,000 cars off the road per year for the next 50 years. •58% green energy use from renewable fuels like biomass. •23% reduction in green house gas emissions over the past 3 years. •30% reduction in sulphur dioxide (SO²) air emissions over the past 3 years. •1,277 Conservation Sites, a 3.5% increase since 2015 as part of our voluntary Unique Areas program in Canada and the U.S. •55% waste to landfill was diverted for beneficial use. •Zero non-compliance issues following 3rd party forest certification audits in 2016, based on 145 indicators (environmental, social and economic) measured over 5 years. Click Read More below for additional detail.

Two Sides research into more than 600 of the world’s leading corporations, including banks, utilities, telecoms and insurance providers, has shown that a total of 460 of those companies have been using misleading and unsubstantiated environmental statements, despite specific advertising legislation to protect consumers in many countries. To date, 278 of those companies have removed such statements as a result of ongoing engagement by Two Sides. “We’re really pleased that Two Sides is having such a significant effect on some of the world’s largest and most influential organizations. But there is no room for complacency, and there is still a great deal of work to do with the remaining companies that continue to mislead their customers,” says Martyn Eustace, Chairman of Two Sides UK. Internationally, Two Sides teams are continuing to tackle greenwash in their respective countries, and this has yielded positive results. Click Read More below for additional detail.

Avery Dennison Corporation (NYSE:AVY) today reported advancements against its 2025 sustainability goals intended to transform the company and the industries it serves. The 2014-2016 sustainability report, All of Us, Every Day, highlights how the company is leveraging its size and scale to drive change across its operations, industry, and communities. Key achievements include: A reduction of location-based absolute CO2 emissions of 3.2% in 2016 and market-based absolute emissions (includes renewable energy instruments) by nearly 12%. 78% of total volume of paper procured in 2016 held either an FSC or PEFC claim. A 2016 world class safety record, with a recordable incident rate (RIR) of 0.25. Click Read More below for additional detail.

The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) fully supports the Forest Bioeconomy Framework launched today by Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr and the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers (CCFM). “The Forest Bioeconomy Framework builds on our sector’s world-leading sustainability practices and our focus on finding environmental and economic value for every part of the tree. It will help position Canada’s forest sector as a solutions provider in our move to a lower-carbon economy,” said FPAC CEO Derek Nighbor. “This framework is a significant move forward to position forestry as a key player in the bioeconomy, will support the creation of new jobs and help us meet Canada’s climate change commitments,” Nighbor added. The Forest Bioeconomy Framework establishes a path that will result in a forest bioeconomy that identifies sustainable bio-based materials from healthy forests available for high added-value manufacturing. The framework highlights innovation, collaboration, and investment and opens the door to further enhancing the sustainability of the forest sector through research, innovation and strong public policy. Click Read More below for more of the story.

On November 29, the Pulp & Paper International Awards is held in Brussels. Hallsta paper mill is one of the finalists in the category “Environmental Leadership Award”, a prize awarded to a mill which has full focus on the environmental work and has shown ground-breaking sustainability efforts. We work hard with sustainability issues and we are today one of the most resource-efficient mills in our segment in Europe. Over the last three years we have invested over 20 MEUR in energy saving activities and projects. One hundred percent of the wood raw material is utilized, ninety-five percent of the fibres are used in the end product, the bark previously used as fuel at the mill is now sold for fossil-free energy production and the sludge from the effluent treatment plant is composted and sold as soil. Nothing is wasted, says mill manager Johan Abrahamsson. The investments have made it possible to run the mill without any CO2 emissions from the production process. The energy used is partly recovered as heat in the drying process. Another big advantage is the fact that all of the wood used in the process comes from sustainably managed forests and all the products are certified with the EU Ecolabel. Click Read More below for additional detail.

BCI Buckeye Division achieves SFI certification. SFI 2015-2019 Chain-of-Custody Standard is an accounting system that tracks forest fiber content (certified forest content, certified sourcing & recycled content) through production and manufacturing to the end product. Contact BCI Buckeye Division or your BCI Buckeye Division Representative for additional information.

Kimberly-Clark Corporation announced its first major commitment to renewable energy with agreements to annually purchase approximately 1,000,000 megawatt hours (245 megawatts - MW) of electricity from two new wind power projects in Texas and Oklahoma. The renewable energy supplied by the wind farms is equivalent to about one-third of the electricity needs of Kimberly-Clark's North American manufacturing operations and will enable the company to surpass its greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goal four years earlier than anticipated. Kimberly-Clark has entered long-term power purchase agreements to take 120 MW or 78 percent of electricity to be generated by the Rock Falls Wind project being developed by EDF Renewables in northern Oklahoma and 125 MW or 42 percent of the electricity to be generated by the Santa Rita Wind Energy Center being built by Invenergy in West Texas. The renewable energy supplied by the two wind farms will enable Kimberly-Clark to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by up to 550,000 metric tons annually. This is equivalent to removing 116,178 passenger vehicles from the road or not burning nearly 600 million pounds of coal annually.1 Click Read More below for additional detail.

UPS announced it will place in service three medium-duty electric trucks from Daimler Trucks Fuso brand, called the eCanter. The company will be the first commercial customer in the U.S. to use this series-produced vehicle. UPS will deploy the trucks in the U.S. at locations to be determined. The new EV trucks build on UPS’s Rolling Laboratory fleet of more than 8,500 alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles. “At UPS, we constantly evaluate and deploy advanced technologies that enable sustainable, innovative solutions for our fleet,” said Carlton Rose, president, global fleet maintenance & engineering, UPS. “Electric trucks make our fleet both cleaner and quieter. We have a long-standing global relationship with Daimler, and we welcome the opportunity to trial the Fuso eCanter as UPS continues to realize the benefits of electric trucks.” Click Read More below for additional detail.

Demonstrate your commitment and activate your support to forests and PEFC by becoming an International Stakeholder member. Want to know more? Then check out our new brochure! Companies, organizations and associations with principles and objectives supportive to PEFC’s are encouraged to join. International Stakeholder membership is open to entities with a legal operating presence in two or more countries, legally registered as an international organization, and/or demonstrate international scope and representation. Entities operating only at domestic level are encouraged to join the PEFC national member in their country. Click Read More below for additional detail.

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI) announced today that Obishikokaang Resources Corporation has certified more than 1 million hectares of the Lac Seul Forest in Northern Ontario to the SFI 2015-2019 Forest Management Standard. Lac Seul First Nation, also known as Obishikokaang, is the oldest Reserve in the Sioux Lookout District. Lac Seul First Nation has over 800 members and is made up of the communities of Kejick Bay, Whitefish Bay and Frenchman’s Head, all located on the shores of Lac Seul. “Lac Seul and the surrounding forest have always provided for the economic and cultural well-being of the people of Obishikokaang. Certifying to SFI is part of our commitment to the kind of sustainable business practices that are designed to protect the environment and support economic growth. Band members are working as part of the management teams, supervising harvesting and playing an important role in forest regeneration,” said Clifford Bull, Chief of Lac Seul First Nation. Click Read More below for additional detail.

CannedWater4Kids (CW4K) and INX International Ink Co. have joined forces to send a rush delivery of drinking water to help in the Hurricane Harvey disaster relief efforts. A truckload of 52,800, 12-ounce cans of fresh, purified water is scheduled to arrive today at a Red Cross Distribution Center near Houston. Hurricane Harvey made landfall for the first time on August 25 and landed a devastating blow to the Gulf Coast of Texas. A multiple-day event, the Category 4 storm with 130 mph winds was the most powerful hurricane to hit the US in more than a decade. Damage caused by the high winds, torrential rains and record flooding displaced more than 30,000 people and prompted more than 17,000 rescues.

As the only European company, BillerudKorsnäs last year was named sustainability leader in the category Containers & Packaging, and included in the globally recognized Dow Jones Sustainability Index. In this year’s assessment, BillerudKorsnäs advances from belonging to the top 20 percent in Europe, to the 10 percent most sustainable companies in the world.

The Flexible Film Recycling Group (FFRG) of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) has released two new online tools and an updated website designed to help grow the recycling of plastic wraps, bags, and other flexible polyethylene film packaging. These free tools provide resources to a wide range of audiences—including consumers, recycling coordinators, local and state governments, and businesses—about this material, collectively known as “film.” They aim to help these audiences learn more about what material can be recycled, how to properly recycle it, and how to grow plastic film recycling at a local level. Says the FFRG, more and better plastic film recycling can help improve the environment and support local recycling or waste diversion goals.

NASA and NOAA satellites have been providing valuable satellite imagery to forecasters at the National Hurricane Center, and revealed that Hurricane Irma has strengthened to a Category 5 hurricane on Sept. 5 around 8 a.m. EDT (1200 UTC).

As the debate about the carbon benefits of generating electricity in Europe from wood pellets manufactured in the southern United States continues, a new Forest2Market report shows that growth in demand for forest products (e.g., lumber, paper, packaging and wood pellets) has led to greater forest productivity and a significant increase in the amount of forest inventory available for storing carbon. The report, Historical Perspective on the Relationship between Demand and Forest Productivity in the US South, analyzes US Forest Service data and other scientific research to understand the relationship between changes in demand and supply from 1953 to 2015.

We are inviting PRINT 17 show attendees to check out our FREE materials and help themselves. Several of our member companies will be displaying these popular informational and promotional materials about paper and print from Two Sides: •Going Paperless May Not be Greener – 11 x 17 color infographic (printed by Ricoh USA) •Busting Myths About How Paper is Made – 11 x 17 color infographic (paper donated by Domtar and printed by Konica Minolta Business Solutions) •Myths and Facts brochure (paper and printing by Appleton Coated) •Two Sides printed newsletter – The Page – with the latest progress updates and accomplishments (printed by Konica Minolta Business Solutions) •Two Sides Membership Brochure – Learn more about Two Sides and our member benefits (printed by Canon Solutions America) Click Read More below for additional detail.

The final piece of the new Mount Fuji World Heritage Center in Japan is soon to be revealed. And the best part? The stunning structure is made from locally sourced wood from PEFC/SGEC-certified forests! Built with local Japanese cypress wood, the striking latticework structure resembles Mount Fuji upside-down. It is also the first construction project in Japan to achieve PEFC project certification. “We pioneered PEFC project certification to ensure that fantastic constructions such as this are able to take advantage of PEFC certification and demonstrate their sustainable credentials,” said Ben Gunneberg, CEO of PEFC International. PEFC project certification provides independent verification that the building was constructed with certified timber, without the need for all sub-contractors to be certified. Click Read More below for additional detail.

Domtar is proud to inaugurate its second generating unit with a power output of 18 MW at its Windsor (Quebec) Mill. The start-up of its second generating unit, built for $36 million, will improve the energy efficiency of the mill produced from renewable resources while reducing production costs. "With the addition of its second generating unit, the Windsor Mill will become one of the major producers of renewable energy in the Eastern Townships. Our total production capacity will reach nearly 50 MW and will allow us to feed the equivalent of the annual energy consumption of 12,800 single-family dwellings. By using forest biomass as a fuel to produce green energy, Domtar demonstrates its commitment to innovation and sustainable development," declared Éric Ashby, General Manager of Domtar's Windsor Mill.

The University of Maine at Fort Kent is pleased to welcome Neil Thompson as the Irving Woodlands, LLC. Professor of Forestry. A University of Maine System graduate, Thompson is no stranger to the diverse woodlands of Maine. “Mr. Thompson comes to UMFK with extensive research and teaching experience that will greatly benefit our students,” said UMFK President, Dr. John Short. “Our campus is very excited about the contributions we know he will make in the classroom and laboratories.” “All of us at Irving Woodlands are very excited to welcome Neil Thompson to the University of Maine at Fort Kent,” said Jason Limongelli, Vice President of Woodlands Division. “We look forward to working with Neil to advance the benefits of outcome-based forestry in Northern Maine and to address important issues like climate change, biodiversity and the spruce budworm.”

One year ago, a devastating earthquake hit central Italy. One year later, PEFC-certified wood is helping people to rebuild their homes, and their lives. Throughout the region, locally grown, PEFC-certified wood has helped to get children back into school and bring communities together. It provides assurances to the people in the region that they will be better prepared in case a similar event happens in the future, using wood as a raw material that can be sourced in harmony with nature. “Using wood has many excellent advantages,” said Gianluca Endrizzi from Rubner Group, the PEFC-certified company responsible for the construction of two stunning new nurseries in Guastalla (Emilia Romagna) and Norcia (Umbria). Click Read More below for more of the story.

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI) announced today that Structurlam is the first Canadian manufacturer of cross-laminated timber (CLT) to be certified to the SFI 2015-2019 Chain-of-Custody Standard. Structurlam blends the expertise of wood science with the ingenuity of European fabrication to produce mass timber products including CLT, the next-generation of engineered wood products. Structurlam has manufactured CLT for six years and supplied the product to over 350 projects in North America. Extensively tested, the product has vast applications for construction. “We are excited that Structurlam is the first CLT manufacturer in Canada to be certified to the SFI Chain of Custody Standard. A few months ago I had the opportunity to visit Structurlam’s site and was impressed with their commitment to sustainability and the innovation driving their product development. Many of Structurlam’s suppliers manage forestlands certified to SFI so it is great to know that Structurlam will continue to source and build with SFI certified materials,” said Kathy Abusow, President and CEO of SFI Inc. Click Read More below for more of the story.

As the debate about the carbon benefits of generating electricity in Europe from wood pellets manufactured in the southern United States continues, a new Forest2Market report shows that growth in demand for forest products (e.g., lumber, paper, packaging and wood pellets) has led to greater forest productivity and a significant increase in the amount of forest inventory available for storing carbon. The report, Historical Perspective on the Relationship between Demand and Forest Productivity in the US South, analyzes US Forest Service data and other scientific research to understand the relationship between changes in demand and supply from 1953 to 2015. Click Read More below for additional detail.

Participate, partner, promote or pitch a solution: there are many ways you can get involved with the 2017 PEFC Stakeholder Dialogue: Making Certification SMART. And we are looking forward to hearing from you! Our two-day dialogue (16-17 November 2017; Helsinki, Finland) will explore and discover the benefits and potential for incorporating technology solutions into forest certification. Join us as we exchange experiences and challenge each other to re-imagine how forest certification should re-equip for the next decade. Click Read More below for additional detail.

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI) welcomed two new officers and one new member to its Board of Directors: Mark Rodgers as Board Chair, Guy Gleysteen as Vice Chair, and Laura Downey as a new member in the social chamber. These new members will play a key role as SFI continues to enhance the sustainability of well-managed forests and the communities that depend on them across the U.S. and Canada. “Mark brings experience as a community leader and builder, Guy works as a senior executive overseeing global supply chains and Laura is known for her vision when it comes to youth environmental education. Their combined experience and skills will further SFI’s reputation and impact as a sustainability organization,” said Kathy Abusow, President and CEO of SFI Inc. SFI’s 18-member, multi-stakeholder board of directors comprises three chambers, representing environmental, economic and social interests equally. The Board’s diversity and independence allows it to play a meaningful role at the intersection of well-managed forests and thriving communities. Click Read More below for additional detail.

UPM Raflatac has reinforced its commitment to building a more sustainable world by joining the Sustainable Packaging Coalition® (SPC). The SPC is a membership-based collaborative led by an independent non-profit that believes in the power of industry to make packaging more sustainable. UPM Raflatac joins more than 200 member companies, government officials and academic institutions. UPM Raflatac will also sponsor The SPC's upcoming SPC Advance conference in Pittsburgh this October. Through strong member support, an informed and science-based approach, supply chain collaborations and continuous outreach, the SPC endeavors to build packaging systems that encourage economic prosperity and a sustainable flow of materials. Sustainability is one of the key drivers of UPM Raflatac's product development - the company's labels are sustainable by design. UPM Raflatac supports environmental responsibility throughout the entire label lifecycle, from raw material sourcing to end-of-life treatment like recycling. Click Read More below for additional detail.

The Home Depot® today announced the addition of solar installations at 50 stores as it continues to expand its alternative energy portfolio, essentially creating mini solar farms out of unused rooftops. The project will reduce electricity grid demand by an estimated 30 to 35 percent annually at each Home Depot store; the equivalent of powering 2,300 average U.S. homes for a year. The average store roof, at approximately 104,000 square feet, will accommodate 1,000 panels. The Home Depot is working with Current, powered by GE, on 20 solar installations at stores in New Jersey, as well as eight stores in Connecticut, Maryland and Washington, DC. An additional 22 stores in California and New York will receive solar, of which six will utilize Tesla Powerpacks to store energy and dispatch additional power as needed. Click Read More below for additional detail.

One year into its five-year strategy to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, Crown Holdings, Inc. has already surpassed one of its stated goals. In 2016, the Company announced its plan to reduce energy consumption by 5% per billion standard units of production from 2015 levels by the end of 2020. As of December 31, 2016, Crown has reduced energy consumption by 5.3% per billion standard units. Absolute energy consumption has decreased by 1.3% while the Company increased production by over 4.2%. In addition, the Company is more than halfway towards its goal of reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 10% per billion standard units of production from 2015 levels. As of December 31, 2016, Crown has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 6.25% per billion standard units. Click Read More below for additional detail.

On November 29, the Pulp & Paper International Awards is held in Brussels. Hallsta paper mill is one of the finalists in the category “Environmental Leadership Award”, a prize awarded to a mill which has full focus on the environmental work and has shown ground-breaking sustainability efforts. We work hard with sustainability issues and we are today one of the most resource-efficient mills in our segment in Europe. Over the last three years we have invested over 20 MEUR in energy saving activities and projects. One hundred percent of the wood raw material is utilized, ninety-five percent of the fibres are used in the end product, the bark previously used as fuel at the mill is now sold for fossil-free energy production and the sludge from the effluent treatment plant is composted and sold as soil. Nothing is wasted, says mill manager Johan Abrahamsson. The investments have made it possible to run the mill without any CO2 emissions from the production process. The energy used is partly recovered as heat in the drying process. Another big advantage is the fact that all of the wood used in the process comes from sustainably managed forests and all the products are certified with the EU Ecolabel. Click Read More below for additional detail.

Print buyers from Ann Inc., REI and Starbucks will tell print suppliers where and why sustainability figures into print buying decisions during the Brands Talking Sustainability luncheon at the 2017 SGIA Expo (New Orleans, Oct. 10-12). The luncheon takes place Tuesday, Oct. 10, 12:00-2:00 p.m., and features speakers Libra Balian, senior director, marketing operations, Ann Inc., Suzanna Eversole, manager, print production, REI and Stephen White, print production manager, Starbucks Coffee Company. “In a retail setting, marketing materials very often can’t be reused or recycled. That matters to a growing number of brands like Ann Inc., REI and Starbucks. They’re looking for print providers who understand the importance of the sustainable journey,” says Marci Kinter, VP, Government & Business Affairs, Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA). “This luncheon will explore how print suppliers can help retailers meet their sustainability objectives.” Click Read More below for more of the story.

“The forests in the Congo Basin are home to more than 10,000 species. They provide food, water and shelter to more than 75 million people, and are of significant economic importance,” said Ben Gunneberg, CEO of PEFC International. “With PAFC-Congo becoming a member of PEFC and their work on developing a national forest certification system, we are taking a huge step towards safeguarding the benefits the forests in the region provide. We are thrilled to welcome PAFC-Congo into the PEFC alliance.” “We have been working in the Congo Basin for several years, and the addition of the Republic of Congo marks an important move forward for the development of certification in the basin,” Mr. Gunneberg concluded. Click Read More below for additional detail.

Every day we send email, navigate the web and store our videos, photos or music in the Cloud. We often have the impression that the whole process is trivial and nearly free, but this is not at all the case. So says L’Agence de l’Environnement et de la Maîtrise de l’Énergie (ADEME), an agency of the government of France which, promotes an environmental approach to the workplace and to daily living. In a recent Guide, La Face Cachée de Numérique, (The Hidden Face of Digital), they describe the widespread environmental impacts of the growing number of digital devices (increasing energy consumption, use of primary minerals, pollution and waste production) and how to reduce them. In the Guide, it is estimated that there are 2 billion smartphones, 1 billion computers, 5 to7 billion other connected devices and 45 billion servers worldwide and that 8.4 billion connected devices would be sold in the world in 2017, 31% more than in 2016. The forecast for 2020 is 50 billion connected devices. In one hour, there are 8 to 10 billion emails sent (not including spam) and 180 million Google searches and the average distance a piece of data travels is 15,000 km. Click Read More below for additional detail.

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) announced today the opening of its annual request for proposals (RFP) for the SFI Conservation and Community Partnerships Grant Program. The grants program supports SFI’s work to promote sustainable forest management through partnerships with conservation groups that are contributing to the understanding of critical links between forests and communities across the range of American and Canadian forests, and community groups working at the intersection of sustainable forestry, responsible procurement and thriving communities. "SFI is proud to stand with so many partners that lead the way on positively impacting the future of our forests. This new grant cycle allows us to reassert our role as a sustainability leader that is working beyond supply chain assurances to elevate conservation value and foster community engagement,” said Kathy Abusow, President and CEO of SFI Inc. “We look forward to this round of proposals and how they will contribute to our scientific understanding, long-­standing commitment to forest research, and shared quality of life.” Click Read More below for additional detail.

Whether it is hardware, software, services or tools, the incorporation of technology within forest certification can overcome many barriers. But what technologies exist, and how can they best be used? Join us for the 2017 PEFC Stakeholder Dialogue ‘Making Certification SMART’ (16-17 November 2017; Helsinki, Finland) to find out more! Wide-ranging applications provide solutions for everyday challenges such as improving transparency in complex supply chains, enhancing the ability to map, monitor or manage forest resources, or establishing new ways to engage stakeholders and improve cooperation. Click Read More below for additional detail.

On behalf of Canada’s leading forest products companies and the 230,000 people we employ in hundreds of communities across the country, I am sending you an urgent letter requesting that the federal government give serious thought to adjusting the procedures and timing of its Caribou Recovery Strategy to achieve a more balanced and sustainable way forward for all. We believe that the current process could jeopardize thousands of jobs and the well-being of hundreds of communities all the while not achieving caribou recovery goals. In some provinces, we believe the current federally mandated process is resulting in a situation where incomplete and ineffective caribou range plans are being developed and may cause unintended harm. We are asking today that the federal government take a step back and reconsider the processes associated with the recovery strategy in order to ensure that the most current science and socio-economic impacts are taken into account. Click Read More below for more of the story.

Irving Woodlands has a new website! Check out this article for five great reasons to explore its new site.

It has been almost a year since the Paris Climate Change Agreement was adopted in December of 2015. The agreement set out a goal and initiated a global action plan to put the world on track to avoid dangerous climate change by limiting global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. It took most of 2016 for the Agreement to be signed and ratified and the Agreement did not enter into force until November 4, 2016. Key to this process was a joint ceremony on April 22, 2016 in which President Obama of the United States, and President Xi Jinping of China signed and ratified the Agreement on behalf of their respective countries. The US and China are the two largest emitters of greenhouse gases on the planet.

With more than 80 per cent of North Americans now living in urban areas, the actions of city governments, residents and businesses are critical to making inroads in sustainability. We’ve found four examples of inspirational initiatives which are changing cities for the better that mirror the values that drive our sustainable manufacturing practices – from reducing greenhouse gas emissions to conserving water and using life cycle assessment to understand the environmental impact of our products.

Crown Holdings, Inc. has recognized three of its facilities for outstanding sustainability achievements from 2015 to 2016. First introduced in 2012, the biennial Chairman’s Sustainability Awards program honors exemplary contributions made by the employees based in the Company’s international network of 146 facilities. The Chairman’s Award Program consists of three categories: Crown’s Economic Sustainability Award recognizes actions and projects that display a significant, measurable reduction in the Company’s use of resources that enhance Crown’s competitiveness, including energy, water, freight and fuel. Click Read More below for additional details.

Following its Biofore approach, UPM Paper ENA has reached the next significant milestone in the company's sustainability journey, as now all its mills produce papers that are awarded with the EU Ecolabel. The UPM Hürth paper mill completed the full range on June 5th, when its products received the EU Ecolabel certificate. The mill achieved the needed reduction in emissions by switching to more sustainable sources of energy. "Being able to provide our customers with EU Ecolabel awarded products from all of our mills is a great achievement, which we can be proud of," says Päivi Rissanen, Sustainability Director, UPM Paper ENA. "The EU Ecolabel criteria covers all relevant environmental aspects and is a good proof of solid sustainability performance." Click Read More below for additional details.

Sonoco has released its 2016-2017 Corporate Responsibility Report. The report, which is available on the Company’s website at www.sonoco.com/sustainability, celebrates Sonoco’s successful projects while reporting on the Company’s significant progress toward long-term sustainability goals. In 2016, Sonoco reduced total water usage by 4.09 percent, total energy usage by 0.52 percent and total greenhouse gas emissions by 3.35 percent (all figures are year over year). Sonoco Recycling recovered the equivalent by weight of 57 percent of the product that Sonoco places into the marketplace. Click Read More below for additional details.

“Two Sides is very proud to welcome C-PAC to our growing network of Canadian member companies. We look forward to working with them to help spread the positive word about the sustainability of print and paper products,” said Two Sides North America President, Phil Riebel. “C-Pac is very excited to be a part of the wonderful work that Two Sides does. Our goal is to work together to promote sustainable papermaking practices and to identify and eliminate greenwashing claims,” said Meagan Siddall, Business Development Manager, C-PAC.

The forest industry – and its place in sustainable living – took a pivotal role at the 10th Making Cities Liveable Conference in Brisbane, Australia, last month. “Forestry is the oldest and best example of sustainable planning,” said Simon Dorries, CEO of Australian Forestry Standard (AFS). AFS, the PEFC national member for Australia, held an exhibit at the conference, explaining certification systems, chain of custody programs and forest management practices to delegates. Click Read More below for additional details.

Copy Express, Inc. has joined Two Sides North America, the non-profit organization that promotes and encourages the responsible production, use, and sustainability of print and paper. “The world as we know it has evolved, but our passion for printing remains as strong as it was when we started in 1975. In all fairness to the digital world that surrounds us, there remains a place in our lives for print and paper. Two Sides North America understands and supports this point of view; we, therefore, choose to join them in the promotion of this environmental dialog,” said Jim O’Leary, President, Copy Express, Inc.

Less waste, lower greenhouse gas emissions, fewer workplace injuries. Less of each of these means a more sustainable business and highlights how Domtar Corporation is working smart for the long term. The company released its 2017 Sustainability Report, detailing the company’s endeavors to take a longer term view of creating and preserving value for our shareholders, customers, employees and communities. The report focuses on the areas of Caring for People and Communities, Efficient Manufacturing, and Responsible Sourcing and Logistics. It details the company’s priorities, challenges and progress via engaging stories and stunning visuals, making the piece approachable for different audiences. Click Read More below for additional details.

The Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA) has joined Two Sides North America, the non-profit organization that promotes and encourages the responsible production, use, and sustainability of print and paper. “Two Sides welcomes FSEA to its growing network of members. Through this partnership we will be able to reach many more organizations and individuals in the graphic communications world. We look forward to working with them,” said Two Sides North America President, Phil Riebel. “FSEA realizes the importance of educating our members and providing information for them to share with their customers on the sustainability of print and paper,” said Jeff Peterson, Executive Director, Foil & Specialty Effects Association. “Two Sides North America has been instrumental in marketing the truth about print and paper and we want to do all we can to help with this effort.”

Salem One, Inc. has joined Two Sides North America, the non-profit organization that promotes and encourages the responsible production, use, and sustainability of print and paper. “Salem One is another great addition to our growing network of member companies and we look forward to working with their team to continue promoting the great environmental story and overall sustainability of print and paper products,” said Two Sides North America President, Phil Riebel. “Salem One is pleased to join with Two Sides North America, as we are proud of the sustainable message our Industry has to tell. From forest growth to paper production to print; our industry has been a major force of sustainability for well over 50 years. PRINT truly is one of the most sustainable forms of communication on the planet!” said Phil Kelley, Jr., President, Salem One, Inc.

Talk about upcycling—a Dutch treatment plant is recycling discarded toilet paper from the sewage into cellulose, and the resulting product has already been used for a practical purpose. The facility is touted as the world’s first in recovering cellulose from used toilet paper, Energy & Environment Management reported June 15. The technology was developed by Dutch company CirTec BV, which demonstrated that it was feasible to extract clean cellulose from sewage and create fibrous or pelletized forms. The plant, opened on June 29, has a capacity of about 400 kilograms/day. The cellulose will be exported to England for use as a raw material to produce biocomposite and other products, according to a CirTec press release. In one demonstration project, a bicycle path was made of asphalt processed in part with the recycled cellulose.

The 2017 SFI Conference is just 2 months away! This year’s conference will take place from September 27-29, 2017 at the Shaw Center in Ottawa, Canada. This year’s conference theme – Forests. A Way of Life – will highlight how we all depend on forests whether we are harvesting professionals, landowners, producers, customers, Indigenous peoples, or individuals using forests for recreation. To enjoy our shared quality of life, we need to ensure our forests are responsibly managed, so we have clean air, clean water, biodiversity, sustainable communities and forest products that improve our quality of life. We'll discuss topics of relevance to the Canadian, American and international forest sectors, so come to the 2017 SFI Annual Conference in Ottawa, Ontario and help us celebrate Canada's National Forest Week and Canada's 150th anniversary.

A world without waste holds untold benefits for our environment and contributes to sustained protection of the world’s precious natural resources. But this concept, as embodied by the principles of a circular economy, can also unleash tremendous opportunity for growth and innovation that experts say will deliver $4.5 trillion in new economic potential by 2030. That’s because, as noted by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, “a circular economy is restorative and regenerative by design, and aims to keep products, components and materials at their highest utility and value at all times.” To get there, companies are pushing to achieve greater productivity and eliminate inefficiencies, and in doing so, realizing the economic reward that comes from these practices.

It is time to celebrate in New Zealand as the first forests in the country achieve PEFC certification. Over 400,000 hectares of forest - about 20% of New Zealand’s plantation forest estate - are now PEFC-certified! “It is really encouraging to see forest managers adopting PEFC on such a scale, so soon after we were able to bring it to New Zealand,” said NZFCA Chair, Dr. Andrew McEwen.

American Wood Council (AWC) President and CEO Robert Glowinski and American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Donna Harman issued the following statements following United States House of Representatives passage of the Ozone Standards Implementation Act of 2017 (H.R. 806). The legislation, which now moves to the United States Senate for consideration, prevents a rushed implementation of the 2015 ozone Nation Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI) and the American Forest Foundation (AFF) announced today that SFI has become the new home of Project Learning Tree (PLT). PLT is an award-winning environmental education program that uses trees and forests as windows on the world to increase youth understanding of the environment and actions they can take to conserve it. PLT’s integration into SFI provides an opportunity for the program to expand its reach and impact. And SFI’s role as a sustainability leader will be bolstered by PLT’s expertise in education, an increasing focus in SFI’s community engagement work. PLT was previously housed at the American Forest Foundation.

In its Global Strategic Plan 2015-2020, FSC committed to offering new tools for certificate holders to access ecosystem services markets. This is part of a broader strategy to increase the market value of FSC as ecosystem services can result in increased net revenue for forest owners. The FSC ecosystem services tools include a new procedure to demonstrate the impact of forest management activities on ecosystem services and how to access their markets.

Sandra Mae Watling is a second year Forestry student at the University of New Brunswick's Fredericton campus. This summer she is one of the 110 students working in J.D. Irving, Limited’s (JDI) tree planting operations. Sandra Mae is a tree planting auditor, following behind the planting crew to ensure that all trees are planted to a quality standard. The nine auditors across the company are looking for quality indicators as they check their plots. Indicators include ensuring that seedlings are spaced appropriately, planted at the correct depth and that seedlings aren’t damaged or leaning.

Klabin donated 100 cribs made of corrugated board to the Escola Internacional de Aldeia (Pernambuco), which is implementing a social project in partnership with the Amigos da Rua Institute (IAR) in the city of Camaragibe in Pernambuco. The initiative aims to distribute cribs and layettes to homeless mothers and babies. Portable, easy to assemble and with an aesthetic appeal that is reminiscent of the children’s universe, the corrugated board cribs were designed by the packaging engineering area at Klabin’s Goiana Unit exclusively for this initiative. Suitable for babies aged up to three months or weighing up to six kilos, the cribs must not come in contact with water and intense heat sources in order to retain their structural characteristics. Click Read More below for additional detail.

Some people believe that because paper is made from wood fiber, using paper must be bad for trees. However, research shows using wood-based products like office paper actually helps keep American forests healthy when the wood fiber is sourced responsibly. “Using responsibly-sourced recycled and non-recycled paper is a great way to help the environment,” says Kate McGlynn, product environmental steward for Boise Paper, a division of Packaging Corporation of America. “When forests are managed sustainably, using non-recycled paper is not harmful to forests. Because the vast majority of forests in the U.S. exist on privately-owned land, selling harvested trees to make paper creates an economic incentive for land owners to keep forest land thriving.” If trees weren’t needed to make wood products like paper, private landowners may choose to remove forests and use their land for something else, such as agriculture or commercial development. Click Read More below for additional detail.

Voting for the 2017 elections for the FSC US Board of Directors will be open until Sunday, August 6. Candidates include: •Sophie Beckham, International Paper, Economic Chamber •Tim Beyer, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Economic Chamber •Peggy Murphy, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Economic Chamber •Jason Grant, Sierra Club, Environmental Chamber •Linda Walker, World Wildlife Fund, Environmental Chamber •Ted Wright, Trust to Conserve Northeast Forestlands, Environmental Chamber •Celia (Cece) Headley, Northwest Forest Worker Center, Social The Board of Directors is FSC US’ highest governing authority. Organized under FSC’s three chamber system, the Board leads the development of national strategy, approves national forest management standards and policies, ensures effective financial oversight, and oversees the chief executive. Click Read More below for additional detail.

“The benefit of PEFC is that we are responsible for the development of our own national forest certification system,” said Antony Stefanov, from the Council for Sustainable Forest Management and Certification in Bulgaria. “This means we can ensure that our specific needs are taken into account, which is particularly important for our many small- and family-forest owners.” “We are delighted to have been accepted into the PEFC alliance,” Mr. Stefanov continued, following the acceptance of Bulgaria as a PEFC national member. The acceptance of the Council for Sustainable Forest Management and Certification in Bulgaria as a PEFC member is an important step towards preparing their national system for PEFC endorsement. Click Read More below for additional detail.

Two Sides member, UK printer Seacourt, a European leader in environmental excellence, announces Planet Positive Printing, a pioneering programme to make Seacourt one of the first printers to achieve a net positive impact on the environment. Seacourt, which already has three Queen’s Awards and an EMAS Award for its innovations in sustainability, has now been certified by ClimateCare as having offset its entire operational footprint - plus an extra 10% - to move to 'beyond carbon neutral' in its impact on the environment. “Planet Positive Printing is the future for this industry,” says Seacourt Managing Director Gareth Dinnage. “We have spent decades transforming our business from a resource-intensive, polluting printer to one that has zero impact on the environment. We have taken more actions than anyone else to be environmentally sustainable, now we are going a step further - making the impact of printed communications absolutely net positive.” Click Read More below for additional detail.

The forest industry reports on its environmental impact annually. The pulp and paper industry's environmental statistics illustrate how environmental impacts have developed over the years. For the forest industry, material efficiency and the comprehensive utilisation of raw materials are routine. The volume of pulp and paper industry waste that ends up at landfill continued to decline in 2016. Last year, the volume of landfill waste dropped by 11 per cent compared to 2015. Over the past five years, the volume of landfill waste has been halved. Approximately 95 per cent of production side streams are further refined via industrial symbioses into fertiliser products, or are used in earthworks or in the production of renewable energy. Click Read More below for more of the story.

Two Sides releases new Fact Sheet outlining why paper-based communications should remain the default choice In an effort to reduce costs, a growing number of companies are switching customers from paper to electronic communications — without their consent. This move to make digital communications the “default” is frustrating many in the United States and Canada who want to retain a choice in how they receive information. Millions of North Americans choose not to go online or still lack Internet access, including many seniors and people living in rural areas. In addition, a majority prefer paper over digital for many of the reasons outlined in this new Fact Sheet. We hope that when companies are armed with the facts below, they’ll make the right choice for their customers.

Is the Cloquet Sappi mill the greenest in the world? While there hasn't been an official trophy awarded by pulp and paper mills worldwide, Cloquet Sappi manager Mike Schultz is quite certain we have a winner here. It always amazes local people when they find out the Cloquet mill is considered the most environmentally friendly mill in the world. Gone are the days when people used to talk about the "smell" of the paper mill that permeated the air in town — that ended when the new, more efficient pulp mill was constructed some 20 years ago, Schultz said, pointing out that the Cloquet pulp mill (which also now makes chemical cellulose) is still the newest pulp mill in North America. What began years ago as an effort to prolong the life of the on-site landfill, the Cloquet mill has turned into one of the environmental success stories of the millennium. It's been a war fought on many fronts, most of them involving reusing waste that used to end up in the landfill or the sewer, along with a shifting focus to using renewable energy as much as possible. Click Read More below for more of the story.

Three weeks, five countries, countless meetings and many air miles! It has been an action packed month for Ben Gunneberg, the CEO of PEFC International. “It has been fantastic to travel around Asia this past month,” said Ben. “From meeting with our members, old and new, to highlighting the benefits of PEFC to a wide range of industry professionals and government representatives.” Ben began his trip in Indonesia, attending the Indonesian Forestry Certification Cooperation (IFCC) Stakeholder Meeting in Jakarta. IFCC is our national member in Indonesia. Since their endorsement back in 2014, they have been working hard to increase the forest area under PEFC certification. Ben’s final destination was Singapore, where he had a packed schedule, including a meeting with the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA). Check out the video below to see Ben highlight why certification matters to business, during a special lunchtime talk at Eco Business. Click Read More below for more of the story.

Introduced last year, Sustainability 2022 is the company's framework to address social and environmental challenges with programs designed to create social, environmental and business value. In its first year, Kimberly-Clark surpassed three of its five sustainability targets, and is on track to meet or exceed all of its goals by 2022. Key highlights of the company's 2016 results include: *Social Impact - Working with our customers, consumers and suppliers, programs including Toilets Change Lives, No Baby Unhugged and The Period Project worked to improve the well-being of more than two million people in need in 2016 through social and community investments that increased access to sanitation, helped children thrive and empowered women and girls. *Forest & Fiber - Kimberly-Clark sourced 89 percent of the fiber used in its tissue products from environmentally-preferred sources. We also strengthened our partnership with the Forest Stewardship Council® to engage consumers in protecting forests. *Waste & Recycling - We expanded our waste and recycling programs to include challenges of waste at both ends of the supply chain. In 2016, we diverted 95 percent of manufacturing waste from landfills, and diverted more than 5,000 metric tons of post-consumer waste through partnership programs around the world. Click Read More below for additional detail.

Trade unions representing workers across Quebec spoke out passionately about the economic damage and threats to jobs being caused by Greenpeace’s irresponsible attacks and unwillingness to engage with their communities. In a group statement, saying they are “deeply distressed by the approach taken by Greenpeace," the Confederation of National Trade Unions was represented at a press conference by the National Union of Pulp and Paper Workers of Alma, the Central Council of National Unions of Saguenay-Lac St-Jean, and the Manufacturing Industry Federation. Each of the unions denounced Greenpeace’s campaign that spreads misinformation about the boreal forest, and decried the group’s repeated indifference to appeals for dialogue with those communities that are being harmed. Click Read More below for additional detail.

UPM Biofuels is developing a new feedstock concept by growing Brassica Carinata as a sequential crop in South America. The Carinata crop produces non-edible oil suitable for biofuels' feedstock and protein for animal feed. The sequential cropping concept enables contract farmers to take agricultural land into use outside the main cultivation period, in winter time, without compromising existing food production. This does not cause any land use change, prevents erosion and improves soil quality. Carinata will provide additional income to local farmers, who do not normally have their fields in productive use during winter. In South America UPM grows and tests Carinata with third-party farmers in Uruguay and Brazil. Biofuels produced from Carinata oil reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 70% compared to fossil fuels. Click Read More below for additional detail.

UPS announced aggressive new sustainability goals to add more alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles to its fleet while increasing its reliance on renewable energy sources. The goals support UPS’s commitment to reduce its absolute greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from global ground operations 12 percent by 2025, a goal developed using a methodology approved by the Science Based Targets initiative. “Because of our size and scale, we know our commitments can shape markets, advance technologies and be a catalyst for infrastructure investments,” said David Abney, UPS Chairman and CEO. “We rely on the ingenuity of our employees, suppliers and technology partners to help us reach goals that will transform the shipping industry and spur innovation.” Click Read More below for additional detail.

Every spring our forest professionals and contractors go through rigorous environment training, to ensure that they are able to spot key indicators that help us conserve unique sites and maintain the forests. Enviro-training is developed and run by our Naturalist, Kelly Honeyman and our Biologist, John Gilbert, which ensures the well-being of the environment is the number one concern throughout the training. “It’s important for us to train these guys to recognize what the significant features are on the landscape” says Kelly Honeyman. Enviro-training covers topics from how to spot rare plants to site specific habitat procedures when a stick nest or bear den is located. Part of the process when rare plants, unique areas, or other sensitive areas are found is to drop GPS coordinates onto our mapping systems. This documentation ensures that the site can be preserved and operations will allow for a buffer zone around the site. Our GPS programs will keep track of all sites, and will be used in the future when operations come back to the area. Click Read More below for more of the story.

“Forest certification has the potential to greatly support Myanmar's forest sector and contribute to the ongoing reform process,” said Dr. Nyi Nyi Kyaw, Director General of the Forest Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation of Government of Myanmar at the launch of a new initiative to promote sustainable forest management in Myanmar. The initiative will develop and test tools that support legal, sustainable and transparent forest product trade and is implemented jointly by PEFC International and the Myanmar Forest Certification Committee (MFCC). “The Forest Department recognizes the value of this project towards strengthening the MFCC,” said Dr Kyaw. The primary focus of the project, supported by Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, is to strengthen and operationalize the national forest certification system in Myanmar. Click Read More below for additional detail.

The North American pulp and paper industry has made great progress in reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions over the last decade and at the same time have increased their use of certified fiber and support for sustainable forest management. In the U.S., AF&PA members represent the spectrum of paper and wood products manufacturing and work on an ongoing basis with government agencies, communities and other stakeholders to employ advanced sustainability practices, which benefit the economy, the environment and society.[1] In 2016, the recovery rate for paper consumed in the U.S. reached a record 67.2% and is approaching the AF&PA goal of 70%. Since 2001, recycling rates in the U.S. have increased by about 20% due to voluntary efforts by the pulp and paper industry and the increasing number of Americans who recycle every day. AP&PA member pulp and paper mills produce carbon-neutral biomass energy on site that, on average, provides about two-thirds of their energy needs. As a result, their purchased energy use per ton of production was 8.1% lower in 2014 than in the 2005 baseline year. By advancing their use of combined heat and power and reducing energy intensity in the industrial sector, they are significantly improving their energy efficiency. Click Read More below for additional detail.

Cotton, silk, leather... it is time to move on from these old-fashioned materials, to something better! This evening in Perugia, in the heart of Italy, young designers will be revealing their ideas of our clothing future, and their inspiration? Forests! Our forests have so much to offer us. Yarns from cypress, beech and eucalyptus trees, not to mention cork, are all softer and more breathable than cotton or silk. Fabrics similar to animal skins can instead come from our hardwoods and conifers. Click Read More below for more of the story.

Highlights from 2016 include: •Collaborated with North American customers to bring sustainable ReAl® aerosol cans to the U.S. ReAl cans include a proprietary, Ball-developed aluminum alloy that allows the lightweighting of its impact extruded aerosol cans by 20 percent. This lightweighting reduces a 150-milliliter ReAl aerosol can's carbon footprint by 18 percent when compared to a standard can. •Continued work on the Joint Polar Satellite System satellite, which is currently completing environmental testing for NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. JPSS will enable critical measurements of global atmosphere, ocean and land surfaces and provide essential data for weather forecasting, storm tracking and continuity of NASA's long-term environmental data record. •Educated, inspired and empowered stakeholders to strategically strengthen curbside recycling in the U.S. through our support of The Recycling Partnership. Over the past three years, the Partnership has reached 17 million households in 424 cities, placed 400,000 new recycling carts on the ground, reduced contamination rates by 30 percent in targeted communities, and catalyzed investments in collection and recycling of approximately $27 million. Click Read More below for more of the story.

PEFC invites stakeholders around the world to comment on the Austrian and Romanian national forest certification systems, following their submission to PEFC for endorsement. To give your feedback, head to our Online Consultation Tool. PEFC Romania is one of our newest national members, joining last November during the General Assembly in Bali. This means it is the first time they have submitted their national system to PEFC for endorsement. Make your comments now! The deadline is 14 August 2017. Austria was one the first countries to achieve endorsement of its national forest certification system back in 2000. Two successful re-endorsements of the system followed in 2006 and 2011. Nearly 3 million hectares of Austria’s forests are PEFC-certified - more than three quarters of the whole of the country’s forest area. We need your feedback! The deadline is 7 August 2017. Click Read More below for additional detail.

U.S. renewable power just hit an important milestone, as the percentage of the nation's power coming from wind and solar just hit double digits for the first time. A new report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration reveals that 10 percent of the nation's power was supplied by wind and solar during the month of March. While 10 percent of the nation's power might not seem like a lot, this is a significant milestone for renewable energy. Meeting this goal proves that wind and solar aren't vanity projects, but are a real and important part of U.S. energy infrastructure. It also demonstrates how far renewable energy has come in the last decade. In 2007, wind and solar generated less than 1 percent of the nation's energy. Just ten years later, renewables are on the verge of outpacing coal and nuclear in the U.S. energy portfolio. Click Read More below for more of the story.

UPM Biofuels commissioned a study from leading international energy and climate consultancy Ecofys - A Navigant Company, entitled "Crude tall oil low ILUC risk assessment: comparing global supply and demand". The study looked into crude tall oil (CTO) availability, current usage, whether the feedstock creates an additional demand for land, and whether the use of CTO in advanced biofuels can cause distortive effects in the markets. The recently conducted Ecofys study concludes that "the CTO market is not overly tight and potential surplus of about 850,000 tonnes of CTO is still available that could be tapped into". The total potential CTO supply is around 2.6 million tonnes. Current actual CTO demand is approximately 1.75 million tonnes, of which about 1.4 million tonnes is used by distillers and roughly 230,000 tonnes for biofuels. Ecofys also concludes that "CTO use for biofuels did not cause displacement effects elsewhere, and hence CTO, a non-land using process residue, is a low ILUC (Indirect Land Use Change) risk material." UPM considered it necessary to investigate the impact of UPM Biofuels' market entry, and to verify whether UPM BioVerno production may have impacted negatively on the CTO market. The study brings necessary information into the debate concerning raw material availability for various end-uses such as advanced biofuels and biomaterials. Click Read More below for additional detail.

Recently, we received a letter from the leadership of the Hachette Book Group expressing concerns over our legal dispute with Greenpeace in the wake of the group's misleading "report" on free speech. Resolute CEO Richard Garneau replied with this letter: Thank you for your considerate overture and I appreciate the invitation to offer our thoughts on the longstanding, mutual commitment we each have to sustainable forestry. You are among our most valued customers and we take great pride in seeing how your company transforms our dedicated work into the lyrical beauty of the written word on the page. I certainly share your chagrin that the various accusations being made by Greenpeace seem difficult to gauge, although it is obvious why Greenpeace should prefer it that way. One wonders whether they assume that the public will simply accept their claims without bothering to examine the details. By making their demands capricious, obscure, and ever-changing, the only yardstick becomes whatever Greenpeace insists. Our position and track record by contrast are carefully detailed and wholly transparent, and I would encourage any stakeholder to read more about our sustainability performance here. Here are some recent examples of the broader recognition we have received for our environmental leadership. ◾2017 Environmental Leader of the Year Award, Environmental Leader Conference (North America) ◾2017 Mercure award for Sustainable Development (Canada) ◾2016/2017 Corporate Responsibility Award and Industry Sector Award, Peer Awards for Excellence (UK) ◾2017 Corporate LiveWire Innovation & Excellence Award, Excellence in Sustainable Forestry (North America). Click Read More below for additional detail.

News highlights •HP announces a new goal to reduce first-tier production supplier and product transportation-related GHG emissions intensity 10 percent by 2025, compared to 20151 •In addition, HP has set a new goal to double factory participation in supply chain sustainability programs by 2025, compared to 2015, to increase both the number of suppliers that participate in its programs and the depth of their engagement •HP’s new goal to develop the skills and improve the well-being of 500,000 supplier factory workers by 2025, compared to 2015, follows HP’s longstanding commitment to the well-being of the workers in its supply chain, with a focus on vulnerable groups including women, student and foreign migrant workers. Click Read More below for additional detail.

PEFC France, PEFC Italy and PEFC Sweden have all successfully achieved the re-endorsement of their national forest certification systems. France and Sweden were two of the founding members of PEFC back in 1999, and this re-endorsement marks the fourth time that these systems have successful achieved PEFC endorsement. Between them, the two countries account for almost 20 million hectares of PEFC-certified forest. Italy joined the alliance in 2001 and achieved endorsement of their system in 2004. This re-endorsement is the third time the Italian system has been endorsed by PEFC. Alongside the certification of more traditional forest-based products, PEFC Italy is also leading the way for certification of other products, such as honey and clothing! Click Read More below for additional detail.

PEFC and FSC have agreed to jointly collect and publish data on double certification, starting from 2016 onwards. More than 69 million hectares (or 16%) of all certified forests globally are double certified to both PEFC and FSC. This is an increase of 30 million hectares compared to data collected by PEFC in 2012. Double certification exists because foresters in different parts of the world have chosen to use both PEFC and FSC certification for their forest management units to prove their sustainable forest management practices. As their respective certified forest area appears in both the PEFC and the FSC statistics, this has led to inflated numbers of the total global certified area. PEFC and FSC therefore decided to work together to provide a more accurate and mutually agreed estimate for the total global certified area. Click Read More below for additional detail.

Kimberly-Clark announced a unique three-year agreement and collaboration with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) designed to raise awareness of the importance of choosing products that use fiber from responsibly managed forests. As part of the new "♥ YOUR PLANET" campaign, the company will display WWF's iconic logo on its paper towel, facial tissue and toilet paper products sold in North America. This initiative is part of an 8-year partnership between the two organizations, and is a natural next step in advancing responsible forestry through consumer education and engagement. Kimberly-Clark is proud to display the WWF logo on its packaging and in promotion. Click Read More below for more of the story.

We are delighted to announce that Hungary is the latest country to achieve PEFC endorsement of its national forest certification system. “It has been more than 15 years since the first initiative to introduce PEFC forest certification in Hungary was launched,” said Endre Schiberna, Hungarian Forest Certification Non-profit Ltd. “So we are thrilled to have finally achieved this long-awaited endorsement.” “The latest process was funded and closely supported by the PEFC Collaboration Fund, which was vital to facilitate the co-operation of stakeholders.” “Endorsement is both an objective achieved and a starting point for our further development,” Mr. Schiberna continued. Click Read More below for more of the story.

Buses in the Helsinki region and most of machinery and trucks used by the City of Helsinki are switching to waste and residue-based biofuels. Helsinki Region Transport HSL, the City of Helsinki and the producers of renewable fuels involved in the project are all pioneers in carbon-neutral transport. The project is internationally significant. Commercial vehicles operated by the City of Helsinki and bus services commissioned by HSL will fully switch to renewable fuels by 2020. This is a pioneering project in global terms. The construction services company, Stara, which operates most of the city's vehicles, will be involved from the City of Helsinki's side. "Switching to biofuels will markedly reduce carbon dioxide and local particulate and nitrogen oxide emissions. This will have a particularly clear impact on air quality in the center of Helsinki," says Unit Director Sami Aherva, of Stara. Click Read More below for more of the story.

The UK’s papermaking industry has smashed its energy-saving targets for the two-year period from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2016. All 45 of the UK’s paper mills take part in the voluntary Climate Change Agreement (CCA) scheme, launched in 2001, which gifts mills partial relief from the Climate Change Levy (CCL) tax in response for them delivering proven energy efficiency improvements. The paper sector was one of the first to agree to the CCA and by 2006 all mills had signed up. For the two-year period in question, the sector’s agreed target was to deliver a 7.1% improvement on 2008’s figure, and it actually improved by just shy of 10% (9.7%). Performance is defined in terms of a specific set of energy efficiency measurements mostly related to the use of electricity. Click Read More below for more of the story.

The Bio Era Tour, introducing bioeconomy and its possibilities and innovations, is launched today on the International Environment Day in Helsinki, Finland. In the core of the tour is the Bio Era Truck exhibition, where visitors can learn of the latest innovations made of renewable raw materials in an interactive manner and get to innovate also themselves. UPM is a partner in the tour as part of its Biofore Share and Care programme where one focus area is boosting bioinnovations. As the project partner UPM wants to highlight the industry's new innovations, versatile operations in the circular economy and meet young people around Finland. UPM's expertise in renewable and recyclable materials, low-emission energy and resource efficiency is the key to developing new, sustainable businesses. Click Read More below for additional detail.

Gap Inc. remains committed to doing our part to act on climate. We’re working towards cutting greenhouse gas emissions from our global facilities in half by the end of 2020, diverting waste from our U.S. facilities, and partnering with our suppliers around the world to adopt more sustainable manufacturing practices. We will continue to work with like-minded businesses, NGOs and other stakeholders to support solutions that will create a more sustainable and economically strong future for the people and communities touched by our business around the world. It’s not only the right thing for the planet, but also the right path forward for business growth, job creation and human health.

“Becoming a PEFC national member is an important step towards the endorsement of our country’s national forest certification system,” said Craig Norris, Forest Technology Manager at NCT Forestry. “We expect to finalize the system documentation by June and will submit the system to PEFC shortly after.” There are approximately 1.2 million hectares of exotic tree plantations in South Africa. While much of this is already certified to alternative forest certification systems, most of this area is owned or managed by large organizations. This has led to a growing concern that small- and family forest owners are being left behind. Click Read More below for more of the story.

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

It's no secret manufacturing facilities use a lot of energy to make the cars, phones or, in Georgia-Pacific's case, paper towels that we use every day. But what if there was a way to encourage these facilities to reduce their energy consumption? It's a question Betsy Dutrow, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR® industrial team leader, and her team asked. Their answer? The ENERGY STAR Challenge for Industry. The ENERGY STAR Challenge for Industry is a voluntary pledge manufacturing facilities make to reduce energy consumption by 10 percent in five years or less. It's open to manufacturing facilities across the world, and there are no penalties for mills that don't reach that number. Dutrow says, "It's an aspirational goal that, while it may sound difficult, is one we believe most facilities who take the challenge will end up achieving. We have seen energy intensive sites achieve a 10 percent reduction when they initially thought they would not. Additionally, we have seen plants in other industries reduce their energy consumption by as much as 30 and 40 percent." click Read More below for additional detail

Editor’s note: Arbor Day, which falls on April 28 this year, was established in the United States in 1872 as a day to plant and care for trees. To mark the event, Gary M. Scott, chair of the Paper and Bioprocess Engineering Department at SUNY’s College of Environmental Science and Forestry, answers five questions about the pulp and paper industry – a major consumer of trees. 1. Does paper manufacturing contribute to deforestation? Pulp and paper companies often are accused of cutting down trees to make paper. However, 39 percent of the fiber used for papermaking comes from recycled paper. Most of the remaining wood is obtained either through forest thinning (removing slow-growing or defective trees) or from lumber milling residues – materials that otherwise would go unused. Only 36 percent of timber harvested in the United States is used directly to make paper and paperboard. Each year the amount of wood harvested from U.S. forests is much less than annual forest growth. Land covered by forests in the United States increased by 4.5 percent between 1997 and 2012, even as suburban development expanded. click Read More below for more of the story

Outdoor brands wasted no time blasting President Donald Trump’s new executive order about America’s national monuments. Patagonia called the move hypocritical and challenged his authority regarding public lands. And the Outdoor Industry Association, in a letter signed by more than 100 outdoor companies -- including Columbia Sportswear, REI, New Balance, Woolrich and the North Face -- says it is “deeply concerned” about the order, which could potentially lead to rescinding and resizing national monuments, as well as opening them up for mining and drilling. Patagonia has been girding its loins for Trump for some time. Last fall, it spent a reported $1 million running full-page ads urging people to “Vote for the Planet.” And it has been deeply involved in the controversy around the Bears Ears Monument in Utah -- 1.35 million acres designated by former President Obama late last year. When Utah passed a resolution asking Trump to remove that designation in February, Patagonia pulled out of Outdoor Retailer, the OIA’s major trade show, protesting Utah’s “hostile” approach to the environment. And last week, the company unveiled an ad about Bears Ears to run on PBS, as well as an extensive video and virtual reality film about the area, detailing its cultural significance, sport opportunities, with easy links to contact Ryan Zinke, U.S. Secretary of the Interior, to protest. click Read More below for more of the story

Recent studies show that a majority of shoppers care not only about what goes into their foods and beverages, but also about the packaging materials that protect those products. For these shoppers, words like “renewable,” “recyclable,” and “responsible” are linked to personal health and sustainable lifestyles. But do these words influence consumers’ brand loyalty and decisions about the products they purchase? click Read More below for additional detail

How do forests make a difference to your life? How do you experience the many benefits that forests provide? Whatever forests mean to you, we want to know. Express yourself through your photos and compete for the 2017 PEFC Photographer of the Year Award! For the first time ever, our members have come together to run a photo contest that spans the world. Taking place in 24 countries, these national contests all run at the same time: from Earth Day (22 April) to World Environment Day (5 June). See if the contest runs in your country! As well as getting the chance to win a fantastic national prize (like a weekend for two in a certified forest!), the best photos from all the national contests will enter the international contest. click Read More below for additional detail

As more and more countries join the PEFC family, we need to ensure our endorsement process can handle this growing number of assessments – all while ensuring it loses none of its rigour. Future-proofing our endorsement process is therefore our aim as we revise the document governing this process. The members of Working Group 6, the body responsible for the revision of this guidance document, have reached consensus on the enquiry draft. This means it is now time for our members to have their say through our thirty-day member consultation. Our members have until 21 May 2017 to give their feedback on this critical document! click Read More below for additional detail

UPM's Zero Solid Waste to Landfill initiative received the Gold Award in the Midwest Region Sustainability competition challenged by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Chicago. According to the panel of judges, UPM's initiative stands out as an excellent example highlighting Supply Managers' responsibility to lead, drive and influence sustainability initiatives within an organization. UPM's Zero Solid Waste to Landfill initiative, launched in 2016, is one of the ways in which UPM contributes to the United Nations sustainable development goals for the year 2030. The initiative focuses on five of the most challenging production side streams to recycle, starting in UPM's home country, Finland. The waste fractions are ash, sludge, sandy bark, dregs and mixed waste. The project's main goal is creating a permanent and scalable operational model around the existing forms of recycling and reuse of these challenging side streams, but it also looks into finding completely new, innovative ways to recycle and reuse the solid waste that has previously ended up in landfills. At UPM approximately 90 per cent of production waste is already today recycled or reused. Before initiating this project, UPM already had zero solid waste to landfill operations at its mills in Austria and Germany. click Read More below for additional detail

UPM Raflatac and Kuehne + Nagel Integrated Logistics have partnered in a study to evaluate and develop the sustainability and performance of UPM Raflatac's supply chain. During the study, UPM Raflatac got a numeric estimation of its current supply chain sustainability, and is now able to follow how the supply chain evolves, study changes and steer development in the right direction. The degree of supply chain sustainability was evaluated using a new model that considers 15 key performance indicators under ecological, economic and societal categories. "The study provided a deeper insight into the broader sustainability impacts of our supply chain. This can help us make informed decisions regarding our logistics optimization," says Oona Koski, Senior Specialist, Sustainability, UPM Raflatac. click Read More below for additional detail

The new infographic is designed to expose corporate greenwashing due to misleading environmental claims like “go green – go paperless” and bust key myths about the switch from paper to digital. The infographic spotlights key facts, including: •U.S. forests grew by 5,800 NFL football fields per day between 2007 and 2012 due to sustainable forestry practices. •91% of U.S. consumers surveyed agree that print and paper can be a sustainable way to communicate when responsibly produced, used and recycled. •Paper is one of the most recycled products in North America with recovery rates of 66% and higher. •Electronic communications have a significant and growing environmental footprint that cannot be ignored by corporations. •85% of U.S. consumers surveyed agree that “go green – go paperless” claims are designed to save costs. click Read More below for additional detail

Klabin, Brazil's largest paper producer and exporter, has registered for the first time at its State Natural Heritage Private Reserve (RPPN) called the Serra da Farofa Complex, the environmental conservation and preservation unit maintained by the company in the state of Santa Catarina, the beautiful and delicate glass frog, a rare and endangered amphibian. The Vitreorana uranoscopa species, which measures between 19 and 25 mm, is typically found in the Southern Atlantic Forest of Brazil and belongs to the Centrolenidae family.Its population is small and inhabits preserved fragments of riparian forests, laying eggs on the leaves that hang over the creeks during the breeding season. The unique features of this species are its translucent body and the sound it emits, which is similar to a spoon knocking on a crystal glass and which enabled its discovery. click Read More below for additional detail

Among the myriad ways climate change is impacting the planet, one of the most visible is the rise in forest fires across the globe. Without a doubt, fire seasons in the U.S. and many other countries across the world are becoming longer and more severe – with human activity bearing responsibility in both the short and long term. According to a study from researchers at the University of Idaho and Columbia University, since 1979 climate change has been responsible for more than half of the dryness of forests in the western U.S. and the increased length of the region’s fire season. Additionally, research from scientists at the University of Colorado at Boulder and the University of Massachusetts Amherst found that humans are responsible for starting 84 percent of wildfires in the U.S., which has in turn tripled the length of wildfire season. This creates a perfect storm - sometimes the most innocent of fires, such as camp fires, due to dryness of the land, can quickly spread with devastating consequences. This case is not isolated to the U.S. On the other side of the world, Indonesia is currently preparing for the start of the 2017 fire season, with the devastation drought and the infamous 2015 fires at the forefront of everyone’s minds. According to the World Bank, more than 2.6 million hectares of forest, peat and other Indonesian land burned in 2015 and the fires cost the country’s economy $16 billion. It was reported that much of these fires were a result of illegal land clearing, which combined with El Niño created the elements for these devastating results. click Read More below for more of the story

“Making daily green choices is not a trend, it is a regular ritual and a priority for our customers,” said Mark Buckley, vice president, environmental affairs, Staples, Inc. “Our survey found that both businesses and individuals engage in some form of regular eco-friendly activity both in the workplace and at home, and are actively seeking environmentally conscious choices. Staples is excited to be a trusted partner through our large sustainable product assortment and extensive recycling services.” The Staples sustainability study revealed: • 89% of businesses and consumers believe that eco-friendly products are the same or higher quality than non-eco products • While 74% of consumers recycle containers made of glass, metal or plastic, only 51% recycle electronics at the end of their life • 59% of businesses implement one or more energy efficient practices. click Read More below for more of the story

“We are delighted to welcome two new members to the PEFC International Board of Directors, representing the retail sector and labour unions,” said Ben Gunneberg, CEO of PEFC International. Peter Crook, from Kingfisher PLC, is our new brand owner and retailer representative, and Michael Rose, from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), our new labour representative. Peter and Michael have joined a diverse and vibrant board representing a wide range of interests, including forest owners, indigenous people and traders and buyers. “With two massive projects underway at PEFC at the moment: the revision of our international standards and the development of our new strategy, it is important that we have a strong board, ready to lead the organization forward,” Ben continued. click Read More below for additional detail

Staples, Inc. has been named a 2017 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year - Sustained Excellence Award winner for continued leadership in protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency achievements, the eighth year in a row the company has been honored. Staples' accomplishments will be recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy in Washington, D.C. on April 26, 2017 at a ceremony at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. Staples, an ENERGY STAR partner since 1990, will be honored for the contributions made to energy reduction at their facilities, its continued commitment to climate change and going above and beyond for educating associates and future generations of students. click Read More below for additional detail

Official 2016 emissions data has just been released and the downward trend in emissions from the sector has continued. 2016 emissions are 3.4% lower than those in 2015, and an impressive 48.5% lower than in 2008. While some of this reduction can be attributed to lower production, the great majority has been delivered by investment in new power generation, switching to lower carbon fuels, and a continued focus on energy efficiency. After allowing for changes in production levels, the figures show that the amount of EU ETS-reported carbon dioxide emitted by UK paper mills (per tonne of production) has fallen by almost a third in just nine years. click Read More below for additional detail

Asia Pulp & Paper Group (APP) welcomes the Forest Stewardship Council's (FSC) announcement on the conditional approval of the Roadmap to end disassociation with APP. The FSC Board of Directors had given their conditional approval for the Roadmap at their 74th meeting in Jogjakarta, Indonesia, last February 2017. “We are pleased to receive the conditional approval for the Roadmap to end our disassociation with FSC. APP looks forward to working with FSC and other stakeholders to develop the performance indicators and verification plans for the implementation of the Roadmap. Once these have been finalized, we intend to implement the Roadmap as set out in all of its five tracks. click Read More below for additional detail

Official 2016 emissions data has just been released and the downward trend in emissions from the sector has continued. 2016 emissions are 3.4% lower than those in 2015, and an impressive 48.5% lower than in 2008. While some of this reduction can be attributed to lower production, the great majority has been delivered by investment in new power generation, switching to lower carbon fuels, and a continued focus on energy efficiency. After allowing for changes in production levels, the figures show that the amount of EU ETS-reported carbon dioxide emitted by UK paper mills (per tonne of production) has fallen by almost a third in just nine years. click Read More below for additional detail

The Regional State Administrative Agency has granted the environmental permit for Finnpulp's bioproduct plant, which is to be built in Sorsasalo, Kuopio, and the wastewater treatment facility connected to the plant. The environmental permit defines the terms for the pulp plant's operation in the production phase, as well as for pipeline installation work and changes made to the shore line during the construction phase. Production is planned to start in 2020, and the plant's annual production capacity will be 1.2 million tons of softwood pulp. Additionally, the plant will produce other bioproducts, including 60,000 tons of tall oil and 1.5 TWh of bioelectricity per year. 1 TWh of the electricity will be fed into the national grid.

The Graphic Arts Show Company (GASC) and Two Sides North America, co-sponsors of the annual Positively Print recognition program, announce the award program is now open for nominations. In its eighth year, the Positively Print program is designed to recognize print advocacy campaigns that promote the enduring power and sustainability of print in today's multi-channel media mix. "Two Sides is pleased to recognize through the Positively Print program organizations that focus on the unique attributes, effectiveness and sustainability of print and paper, which so effectively aligns with our mission," states Phil Riebel, President, Two Sides North America, Inc.

Most people know that wood fiber—one of the most recyclable and renewable natural resources on the planet—is the principle raw material used in making paper and paper-based packaging. But that’s just one branch (if you’ll forgive the terrible pun) on the tree. Over decades of research and development, the forest products industry has innovated ways to use those same natural resources in literally hundreds of other products, including many you’d never suspect.

If you haven’t yet submitted your proposal to the 2017 PEFC Collaboration Fund make sure you do so soon – the deadline is just two days away on 31 March 2017. PEFC members and other non-profit organizations are all invited to submit proposals for new and innovative projects. Make sure you check out our Call for Proposals and then send us your application form.

Robert Glowinski, President and CEO, AWC: “Despite claims of energy flexibility intended under the Clean Power Plan, EPA actually limited the types of renewable energy states can use, which included our industry’s production and use of carbon neutral biomass energy. The Clean Air Act did not give EPA the authority to impose such sweeping restrictions on existing electric utility generating utilities. The wood products industry plays an important and unique role in reducing greenhouse gases by converting manufacturing biomass residuals to energy needed to power our mills. AWC supports this Executive Order and will continue to seek clarity on EPA’s treatment of biomass to ensure it is recognized as a critical component of clean energy.” Donna Harman, President and CEO, AF&PA: “We welcome the Energy Independence Executive Order to provide states and ratepayers, including paper and wood products manufacturers, long-overdue relief from harmful regulatory overreach. The nation deserves affordable, reliable electricity, not rate hikes and competitive harm that can stem from onerous regulation such as the Clean Power Plan. On average, our industry meets about two-thirds of its energy demand through carbon neutral renewable biomass and is able to sell some energy to the grid. We plan to continue working with policy makers to provide an effective solution that recognizes the carbon benefits of biomass energy in paper and wood products manufacturing facilities.” click Read More below for additional detail

PEFC invites all interested parties to give their comments on our revised Standard Setting standard - PEFC ST 1001:201X. Give your feedback now! Deadline for comments is 29 May 2017. This standard contains the rules that national standardizing bodies have to follow when they develop and revise their sustainable forest management standards. Core principles of the standard development are stakeholder engagement, balance representation of different interests, consensus building, continuous improvement and transparency. click Read More below for additional detail

Sustainability in Chile’s construction sector got a boost as the Chile Green Building Council signed a collaboration agreement with CertforChile, our national member in the country. On 3 March 2017, the Chile Green Building Council (GBC Chile) signed three collaboration agreements that seek to promote sustainability in the construction sector. One of them is with CertforChile. “We are extremely proud to announce this agreement for collaboration and promotion with the Chile Green Building Council,” said André Laroze, National Secretary of CertforChile. click Read More below for additional detail

In the budget tabled by Finance Minister Bill Morneau today, he earmarked: •$1.8 billion to support clean technology. It is critical that the forest products sector is central to the government’s clean tech strategy. These investments will help our sector develop environmentally friendly products in areas of bio-fuels and bio-materials while helping to reduce carbon in the atmosphere. •$40 million over 4 years – starting next year – to support projects to increase the use of wood in buildings and infrastructure. This is an important program to support the use of sustainably sourced Canadian wood and since wood stores carbon, this a great way to further address climate change. click Read More below for additional detail

Dressed in wellington boots and rain jackets, the dedicated Tree Planting Team from Sappi Europe, including Berry Wiersum CEO, once again braved the Brussels weather to plant a further 1,250 saplings in the Forêt des Soignes. They were rewarded with rays of sunshine, and the feeling of satisfaction after a hard day’s work. The initiative has resulted in 16,250 trees planted since it started 7 years ago. Sappi’s employee-led tree planting initiative started in Spring 2010 in association with ANB (Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos), the equivalent of the Department of Forestry. This organisation is responsible for the planting of approximately 30,000 trees in the Forêt de Soignes every year as part of the National Forest Management Plan (Belgium). click Read More below for more of the story

March 21st is International Day of Forests and this year’s theme is Forests and Energy. Climate change, caused by increasing levels of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere is a key challenge due to changes in global temperatures and precipitation patterns that affect regions and countries around the world. There is growing awareness of the potential for a wider use of the forest industry to store carbon and lower GHG emissions. This is due to the recent 2015 Paris Agreement that recognizes the mitigation potential of forests to meet the challenges of climate change. For countries covered by the Kyoto protocol, GHG emission accounting for forest management has also become mandatory and recent changes in IPCC guidelines allows for accounting of carbon storage in harvested wood products. click Read More below for more of the story

Recycling paper was one of the earliest and most important actions individuals and companies took to treat our natural world more gently. But despite great advances in paper recycling, we don’t have enough recycled paper fiber to go around. So, if we cannot make every new product from recycled paper, which products should be made from recycled and which should use sustainably grown new fiber? A new tool is being developed to help answer that question. But first, let’s explain why we need it in the first place. A record-high 66.8 percent of all paper used in the United States was recovered for recycling in 2015, nearly double the rate of 33.5 percent in 1990, according to the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA). This is great news, and it makes paper one of the most recycled products on the planet. click Read More below for additional detail

UPS announced plans to build an additional six compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling stations and add 390 new CNG tractors and terminal trucks and 50 liquefied natural gas (LNG) vehicles to its alternative fuel and advanced technology fleet. UPS further cements its leadership in the alternative fuel market while continuing to reduce its environmental footprint with this more than $90 million investment in natural gas. “With more than 4,400 natural gas vehicles and a network of fueling stations, UPS has had great results using natural gas as an alternative fuel in our fleet,” said Mark Wallace, UPS senior vice president global engineering and sustainability. “We know the importance of investing in natural gas globally for our fleet and the alternative fuel market. In 2016, we used more than 61 million gallons of natural gas in our ground fleet, which included 4.6 million gallons of renewable natural gas. This helped us to avoid the use of conventional gas and diesel, and decreased CO2 emissions by 100,000 metric tons.” click Read More below for additional detail

In North America, it takes less than 2 seconds to grow the fiber needed for a standard #10 envelope (on 100 acres of managed forests). For many years, International Paper's "Go Paper. Grow Trees." campaign and "Print Grows Trees" operated by the Printing & Graphics Association MidAtlantic have been promoting the vital link between paper / print and the long-term retention of privately-owned (including family-owned) forest lands. In short, a strong market for pulp, paper, lumber and other forest products, does grow trees. In North America we grow many more trees than we harvest. Forest area in the U.S. increased by 5,800 NFL football fields per day between 2007 and 2012, or a total of 14 million acres.[ii] In Canada, the forest cover has remained stable over the last two decades and, in recent years, Canada’s actual harvest has been 44% of annual growth.[iii] click Read More below for more of the story

Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) is now on the fourth year of a plan to transform its business model through its Forest Conservation Policy (FCP) and become a leader in responsible production. The company today highlighted its ongoing commitment to the four key principles of the FCP: halting all natural forest clearances; best practice in peatland management; partnership with local communities; and responsible global supply chain management. The report published today looks back at progress in 2016 and confirms the company is on track in implementing its zero-deforestation commitments. Commenting on the progress report, APP’s Managing Director Aida Greenbury said: “APP’s transformation process is now integrated into the fabric of the company. The report that we publish today and the verification that has been undertaken to review our FCP in the past 12 months confirms that as a business we remain on the right path. We are now entering the fifth year of relying exclusively on fibre sourced from responsibly managed plantations throughout our supply chain. This is a journey which has no end, because no one is perfect and we will constantly seek to improve and protect the landscapes oh which we depend, while improving the livelihood of the communities who depend on us.” click Read More below for additional detail

Lars Strömberg, Director of Sustainable and Environmental Affairs at Holmen, shares his sustainability highlights from 2016. What would you highlight in terms of sustainability in the past year? A recognition of all the hard work we have put into sustainability was Holmen being ranked 21st on the Global 100 list of the world's most sustainable companies. Holmen was also ranked highly for its climate work in the annual survey carried out by CDP. But most of all I would like to highlight the way that Holmen's operations bring major climate benefits by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by over two million tonnes per year. This can be seen as one step on the way towards meeting the commitments made in the global climate agreement. click Read More below for additional detail

The main changes are proposed in the following areas: Improving the stakeholder engagement during the international consultation: This could for example be achieved through webinars to introduce the applicant system before the consultation begins. Aligning the endorsement process with the national standard setting process: In line with developments in Working Group 3 on standard setting, the endorsement process should reflect the national process. The endorsement validity should take into account that a national review/revision process will start five years after the national approval of a standard. Streamlining the assessment of already endorsed systems: Endorsed systems will be reviewed at national level after five years. If this review leads to a revision of a limited number of requirements, the international assessment should only focus on those changes. This approach would recognize the previous assessment results of the unchanged requirements. click Read More below for additional detail

The Nature Conservancy and WestRock Foundation announced a partnership for two conservation projects in Southeast Virginia and along the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee. Aligning with The Nature Conservancy, whose mission is to conserve lands and water for people today and for future generations, further demonstrates WestRock’s commitment to sustainable forestry and environmental stewardship. “The Nature Conservancy thanks the WestRock Foundation for their generous support of our goal to restore longleaf pine forest in Virginia,” said Bill Kittrell, acting Director of The Nature Conservancy in Virginia. “This gift will allow us to expand the Big Woods Conservation Area and protect vital floodplain forest along the Nottaway river, which will preserve water quality, support rare species like the red-cockaded woodpecker, and one day be home to the returning longleaf pine tree.” click Read More below for additional detail

Representatives of the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), Northwest Pulp & Paper Association (NWPPA) and Oregon Forest & Industries Council (OFIC) are partnering to host today’s Forest Products Advocacy Day in Salem, Oregon. In meetings with legislators, they plan to highlight industry sustainability successes, including current greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions and the recently-announced goal, and discuss upcoming legislation. Following the success of GHG emission reductions by member companies, AF&PA has announced its new GHG reduction goal of 20 percent by the year 2020. In 2014, sustainable manufacturing practices under the association’s Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 initiative led to a 16 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by member facilities, surpassing the previous 15 percent reduction goal ahead of schedule. In meetings with Oregon state lawmakers, they will discuss how any legislation to regulate or tax GHG emissions should account for industry leadership on emissions reductions. click Read More below for additional detail

Using wood in innovative and beautiful ways to bring new life to the Lakeside at Black Butte Ranch — an iconic Oregon resort community near Sisters, Oregon — has earned Portland-based architects Hacker an award from the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). The SFI Certified Wood Award is part of the North American Wood Design and Building Awards program. Hacker was presented with the award at the Wood WORKS! BC Wood Design Awards in Vancouver on March 6. The ranch sits at the gateway to Oregon’s high desert. First planned in the early 1970s, the ranch is a vacation destination for many, and a year-round home for some. The new lakeside complex, complete with Sierra Pacific windows and other wood features certified to the SFI Standard, replaces the well-worn main pool facility and revives the heart of the ranch. click Read More below for more of the story

Amazon today announced a new initiative to generate clean energy by installing solar panels on its fulfillment facilities around the world. The company plans to deploy large-scale solar systems on rooftops of more than 15 fulfillment and sortation centers in the U.S. this year and is planning to deploy solar systems on 50 fulfillment and sortation centers globally by 2020. For high-resolution imagery of the project, visit www.amazon.com/about. “As our fulfillment network continues to expand, we want to help generate more renewable energy at both existing and new facilities around the world in partnership with community and business leaders,” said Dave Clark, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Operations. “We are putting our scale and inventive culture to work on sustainability—this is good for the environment, our business and our customers. By diversifying our energy portfolio, we can keep business costs low and pass along further savings to customers. It’s a win-win.” click Read More below for additional detail

Double A, a major pulp and paper producer in Thailand, has been accepted by PEFC as an International Stakeholder member. “It is wonderful to welcome Double A into the PEFC alliance,” said Ben Gunneberg, CEO of PEFC International. “Double A are doing fantastic work with smallholders in their country, as well as playing a vital support role in the development of a Thai national forest certification system.” “In PEFC, Double A has found the right organization through which we can promote our trees outside forests based agroforestry, as well as be part of a global system where constant knowledge can be gained through appropriate networking and deliberation,” said Mr. Thirawit Leetavorn, Senior Executive Vice President of Double A. click Read More below for additional detail

Mossberg & Company Inc. has joined Two Sides North America, the non-profit organization that promotes and encourages the responsible production, use, and sustainability of print and paper. “We are thrilled with the work that Two Sides does for the good of our industry. Mossberg & Company strives to be a resource of information to our customers, and Two Sides provides us with information and tools that enable valuable customer dialog, for the benefit of our Company and for our industry,” says James Hillman, President & CEO.

Those of you who read The Daily Telegraph may have spotted a familiar name in the Letters to the Editor section on Saturday. Two Sides wrote to the Editor in response to a previous article in the paper about the BBC’s decision to replace paper scripts with digital scripts as part of their ‘green measures’. Here’s an extract from the original article that we, and many of our members and stakeholders, had a particular issue with; Shows such as Casualty have already halved the paper they use from scripts as part of their green measures, estimating they have saved the equivalent of 90 trees. Two Sides works hard to tackle misconceptions about the print and paper industry. Statements claiming that saving paper saves trees are unsubstantiated, misleading and can have a lasting effect on people’s perceptions of paper. click Read More below for additional detail

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (SFI) announced five conservation grants today. SFI is bringing together a diverse range of people from 37 organizations to support research that directly influences future forests. This year’s grants focus on the connection between sustainable supply chains and natural resource issues we all care about — like carbon storage, wildlife habitat, species at risk and forests with exceptional conservation value. These organizations include leading conservation groups like NatureServe, GreenBlue, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Manomet, the American Bird Conservancy and the Florida Natural Areas Inventory. They are collaborating with government officials from Georgia, Saskatchewan and the Canadian Forest Service, SFI Program Participants, the Forest Products Association of Canada as well as the University of Alberta, UBC and Université Laval. click Read More below for additional detail

Accreditation bodies are the safeguard for credible certification. They ensure the impartiality and competence of the organizations responsible for certifying forest owners and companies – the certification bodies. Given their importance within the whole PEFC system, it is vital that they are kept up-to-date on all the latest developments at PEFC. In January, program managers and technical experts from 11 countries travelled to Geneva for an intensive training program, focused specifically on chain of custody. “While we have been training accreditation bodies for several years, in the past it has always been done through webinars,” said Michael Berger, Head of Technical Unit at PEFC International. click Read More below for additional detail

More than a decade ago, Walmart’s then CEO set us on a journey to dig deeper into our business to find ways to provide products that are better for both people and the planet. Fast-forward to last November, and our current Walmart CEO Doug McMillon issued a new challenge: ensuring that our business can continue delivering sustainable products for generations to come. He laid out our leadership position in the fight against climate change through a commitment to set science-based targets, and Walmart became the first retailer to have its goals approved by the Science Based Targets initiative. Why is setting science-based targets important to Walmart? We know global climate change can pose a threat to our country’s economy and global supply chains — threats such as lower crop yields, increased health costs and disaster-caused property losses. Walmart and other retailers would face a number of challenges if our complex supply chains were weakened by climate-related issues. Addressing climate change is a win-win: good for society and good for Walmart. click Read More below for more of the story

After setting and meeting two successive Scope 1 and Scope 2 absolute reduction goals for greenhouse gas emissions (GHG)1, HP Inc. announces a new target to reduce the GHG emissions from its global operations by 25 percent by 2025, compared to 2015. The new target is a significant milestone for HP as it accelerates its commitment to reduce the company’s total carbon footprint in accordance with what climate science indicates is required to help keep global warming below 2° Celsius. In 2016, the company announced a goal to reduce the GHG emissions intensity of its product portfolio by 25 percent by 2020, compared to 20102, and committed to source 100 percent renewable electricity in its global operations with an interim goal of 40 percent renewable by 2020. click Read More below for additional detail

Smurfit Kappa today announces that it has achieved 90% chain of custody certification by FSC®, PEFC™ or SFI™ for the packaging it sells to customers, demonstrating its long-standing commitment to sustainability. The certification is a new milestone in promoting sustainable forests, providing end-to-end transparency across the supply chain and an assurance of the sustainable origin of raw materials used. Smurfit Kappa is dedicated to creating sustainable value for its customers and helping them to meet their own sustainability and environmental targets. click Read More below for additional detail

With two major projects at its Cabano plant supported by the Quebec government, Cascades will significantly decrease its heavy-fuel oil consumption. These investments will result in an annual reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) equivalent to taking 4,000 light duty vehicles off the road! Ministers Pierre Arcand and Jean D'Amour, and Cascades President and Chief Executive Officer Mario Plourde, have confirmed that the two energy efficiency projects represent a total investment of $11 .3 million in the Cascades Containerboard Packaging–Cabano plant. The government of Quebec will contribute financial aid in the amount of $5 .2 million for the two projects, while Cascades will invest $6 .1 million. The projects consist in modifying two residual forest biomass boilers. click Read More below for additional detail

Asia Pulp & Paper releases survey results about sustainable and safe paper usage in Hong Kong Promoting industry collaboration to offer eco-products. Gold East Trading (Hong Kong) Company Limited, a subsidiary of Asia Pulp & Paper (APP), today announced the results of the “Sustainable and Safe Paper Usage in Hong Kong” survey which revealed that nearly 70 per cent of Hong Kong consumers are willing to pay an additional 5 per cent or more to purchase paper products from sustainable sources. Additionally, more than 70 per cent of respondents prefer to visit restaurants which use safe food packaging. click Read More below for additional detail

Mosaico Specialty Papers expands its range of PEFCTM (Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certif. Scheme) certified papers obtaining the certification for the paper mills of Chiampo (VI), Lugo (VI) and Carbonera (TV). The PEFCTM label guarantees that paper is produced using fibers from legal and sustainable sources, that is managed in accordance with internationally accepted environmental, social and economic standards. The Chain of Custody (CoC) actually requires traceability of all steps: from the forest to the finished product. With this new and important result the Group has strengthened its commitment to sustainable development: currently all Burgo and Mosaico paper mills are PEFCTM and FSC® certified.

Looking for a little roadster made from wood? Your wait is over, with the award-winning Setsuna concept car by Toyota. Built almost entirely from Japanese cedar, which came exclusively from an SGEC-certified forest owned and managed by Sumitomo Forestry Co., Ltd., the car will last for generations. SGEC – the Sustainable Green Ecosystem Council – is the PEFC endorsed national forest certification system for Japan. “It is wonderful to see such a beautifully designed car with serious environmental credentials, and we are delighted with their choice to use wood from an SGEC-certified forest,” said Ben Gunneberg, CEO of PEFC International. “The use of wood in construction is becoming increasingly relevant. Wood materials not only offer unique construction solutions, but if sourced sustainably from a certified forest, can also help prevent the overexploitation and degradation of the world’s forests.” click Read More below for more of the story

UPS announced plans to significantly escalate its investment in solar energy as an owner/operator of solar assets starting with at least eight of its facilities in the U.S. The installations will be completed by the end of 2017. The estimated $18 million investment will provide a nearly five-fold increase in the amount of power generated from solar at UPS facilities today. With more than 2,580 UPS facilities worldwide, UPS is ideally positioned to expand its investment in renewable energy. UPS expects additional solar deployments to occur over the next several years as it identifies suitable opportunities. The completion of these projects will expand UPS’s owned solar power generating capacity by almost 10 megawatts. The combined power produced from these projects is equivalent to providing electricity to approximately 1,200 homes annually. The expanded solar portfolio is expected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 8,200 metric tonnes per year. click Read More below for additional detail

From COP22 to Davos, the past few months have drawn global attention to the role of forests in achieving carbon mitigation targets. Yet beyond emissions, forests and the natural capital within them — water, air and biodiversity, provide environmental services that support the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat — making investment in the landscape so important. For too long this value has been disregarded. According to the WRI, between 2000 and 2012 Indonesia lost more than 6 million hectares of primary forest — an area almost half the size of the state of New York. Before moving forward, we need to look back. Forest loss is the result of a complex mixture of socio-economic reasons including deforestation, land degradation and low living standards. Poor practices have lead the assumption that economic gains by people come at the expense of the forests — this is a combination that can’t continue. click Read More below for more of the story

A story started making the rounds last week about French energy regulators asking companies to cut back on email in order to save energy. It sort of sounds like a satirical piece — it did, in fact, end up in Reddit’s “Not the Onion” subsection — but the suggestion really does come from the French regulator RTE. Which got us thinking: How do our tech habits affect how much power we use and the environment? Finding an answer is harder than you may think. After all, the energy you use at your desk writing a typical email isn’t all the energy that an email uses. As the French warning indicates, there’s a whole infrastructure behind every message, which includes not only the electricity you use but also the energy it takes to store and transmit that information through data centers. Many researchers have looked into the carbon footprint of these types of technology — meaning the amount of greenhouse gas produced to support the activity — to measure the impact they have on the environment. This is commonly expressed in the volume of carbon dioxide. Using more energy tends to produce a larger greenhouse gas emission, but using alternative forms of energy that don't burn greenhouse gasses can also reduce a technology's carbon footprint. click Read More below for more of the story

Stora Enso has been identified as a global leader for its actions and strategies in response to global warming. The group has been awarded a position on the Supplier Climate A List by CDP, the international not-for-profit that drives sustainable economies. Stora Enso is among 3% of corporations participating in CDP’s supply chain program to be awarded a position on the Supplier Climate A List. Over 4 300 companies submitted annual supply chain climate change disclosures to CDP for independent assessment against its scoring methodology. click Read More below for additional detail

The Rainforest Alliance, an international non-profit organisation with a mission to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods, and Asia Pacific Resources International Limited (APRIL) are currently engaged in a collaboration to examine and address fundamental ways in which APRIL can improve its forest and community operations in Indonesia at the field level. This collaboration is in line with APRIL’s implementation of its Sustainable Forest Management Policy 2.0. The Rainforest Alliance’s role is focused on providing advisory support and does not include audit for certification or other purposes.

Humans are driving an unprecedented loss of flora and fauna, prompting fears that we are in the midst of a sixth great extinction event, with one third of all species in the wild facing threat of extinction. Speaking at the World Economic Forum today, Aida Greenbury, Chief of Sustainability of Asia Pulp and Paper Group (APP), made the case for why global leaders need to see people as the solution rather than as the problem, and work together to empower communities to build a sustainable economy that will help to safeguard the environment and biodiversity at the same time. She was speaking alongside Marco Lambertini, Director General of WWF International; Patrick Brown, Founder and CEO of Impossible Foods; and Dominic Waughray, Head of Public-Private Partnership and Member of the Executive Committee of the WEF, at an event looking at the prospect of the Sixth Great Extinction. click Read More below for additional detail

If we are to manage our forests wisely for the benefit of current and future generations, we need to understand the situation of the world’s forests and ongoing trends. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has gathered data from 234 countries and territories to provide an up-to-date report on about 88% of the world’s forests. The most recent Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) showed that from 1990 to 2015, global forested area declined by 129 million hectares (ha) or 0.31% of the world’s forests. Keep in mind, however, that from 1990 to 2015 human populations grew from 5.3 to 7 billion people (a 30% increase) and the demand for food and land increased significantly. (Note: 1 hectare = 2.47 acres). The largest forest area loss occurred in the tropics, particularly in South America and Africa, while in Asia and Europe there was a net forest gain. North and Central America showed little net change on average. click Read More below for additional detail

The global public consultation for the Macedonia national forest certification system is now open. Stakeholders globally are invited to comment on its compliance with PEFC International's Sustainability Benchmarks by 18 March 2017. The Council for Sustainable Forest Management in the Republic of Macedonia is one of our newest national members after joining last November during the General Assembly. This means it’s the first time the national system has been submitted for endorsement. click Read More below for additional detail

In a report issued today, Cargill presented progress on its efforts to meet its commitment to eliminate deforestation from its supply chains. The first Cargill Report on Forests covers on-the-ground actions within six priority supply chains and global collaborations to advance sustainable agriculture. Cargill worked with numerous global partners to engage more than 148,000 farmers and established a baseline for measuring tree cover loss by mapping the sourcing areas of nearly 2,000 locations across 14 countries. In the lead up to the 2017 World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, Cargill's inaugural report is intended to spark broader discussion of the issues driving deforestation and the policies and practices that can prevent it. "Ending deforestation is critical to curb climate change," said Cargill CEO and Chairman David MacLennan. "Today, we are at an important crossroads as we work to nourish the world and protect the planet. Sustainable agriculture must be a part of the solution." click Read More below for additional detail

Wetlands and waterfowl in Canada’s boreal forest will be the beneficiaries of a new program launched by Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and forestry sector leaders. The partnership is a visionary approach to sharing knowledge and resources to advance sustainable forest management and wetland stewardship in the boreal forest, an area that offers one of the greatest conservation opportunities in the world. Under the ‘Forest Management and Wetland Stewardship Initiative’, the partners will work collaboratively on priority projects that integrate wetland and waterfowl conservation into ongoing forest management planning and field operations. The coalition will establish wetland conservation guiding principles and best management practices. These will support companies in achieving their forest management objectives and help them meet the criteria for forest certification programs. click Read More below for additional detail

We, European paper manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers, consumer organisations and environmental NGOs, are writing to share our concerns about the possible removal of a number of EU Ecolabel product groups[1] which we understand the Commission is considering. In our view, such a unilateral and unexpected consideration would be premature, given the ongoing Fitness Check of the EU Ecolabel Regulation, and we urge the Commission to reconsider the possible discontinuation of these product groups. The Commission has recognised the EU Ecolabel as an “incentive scheme in favour of the market” which can benefit consumers and boost job creation[2]. This voluntary, market-based instrument is also consistent with, and complementary to, other EU policies concerning the circular economy and sustainable development[3]. The Commission has suggested discontinuing some product groups that include two relatively successful EU Ecolabel paper-related products (tissue and newsprint). click Read More below for additional detail

The devotion of Mark Leech, a guardian of Tasmania’s scarce but value-rich specialty timbers industry, was rewarded last year with the 2016 Richard Stanton Memorial Award for Excellence in Forest Management. Alongside his award and trophy, Mark also received an AU$2000 bursary to assist him in future work in sustainable forest management. Mark is the driving force behind Fine Timber Tasmania, a sustainability-focused, non-profit association which represents the state’s specialty timber supply chain – growers, processors, design makers and retailers – and promotes Australian Forestry Standard certified products. For more than a decade, Mark has played a pivotal role in the development, and now strong uptake, of AFS chain of custody certification in Tasmania. AFS, the Australian Forestry Standard, is the PEFC endorsed national forest certification system in Australia. click Read More below for more of the story

American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Donna Harman issued the following statement regarding the proposed National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Kraft pulp mills, issued under the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Residual Risk and Technology Review process. “By signing the proposed rule, the EPA has indicated that the 2001 maximum achievable control technology (MACT) rule protects public health: That’s a positive testament to our industry’s investments and commitment to air quality and sustainability. Pulp mills have invested over $1.5 billion in state of the art controls to reduce emissions, and these technologies remain the best available. “We are continuing to review the proposed rule, but have concerns with changes to the opacity provisions for recovery furnaces that we will address in our comments to EPA.”

American Forest & Paper Association President (AF&PA) President and CEO Donna Harman issued the following statement in support of the District of Columbia (D.C.) Circuit Court’s December 23rd decision to remand the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Boiler Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) rule: “With this ruling, the court has provided an opening for the EPA to quickly address concerns and finalize a rule that supports our industry’s capability to generate essential power from its boilers. We’re pleased that the court has listened to our support of a remand, and we urge the agency to work as quickly as possible to bring this rule to closure after 20 years and three tries. “Our industry has been subject to a roller coaster of regulatory uncertainty that needs to stop. We need and deserve affordable and achievable standards that are not constantly in flux.”

American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Donna Harman released the following statement regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final rule on its Risk Management Program. “In meetings with EPA and in our comments on the rule, we raised a number of concerns that have gone unaddressed in this final rule: that’s disappointing. High on that list is the application of the Safer Technology Alternatives Analysis. We believe it should be an enforcement tool used on a case-by-case basis, not an industry requirement as the final rule indicates. Additionally, we think the requirement for third party audits are less robust than internal auditors who know location and processes. “Our manufacturers continue to make improvements and are committed to providing a safe workplace for our employees and the communities that surround our facilities. Unfortunately, adding an additional layer of regulation could impede, rather than promote, safety improvements as well as creating additional burdens.”

Pindo Deli Pulp and Paper Mills, a business unit of Asia Pulp and Paper Group (APP), is introducing a further innovation to save energy and natural resources in its production process. In collaboration with the IDH Sustainable Trade Initiative, Pindo Deli is incorporating the new Clean Manufacturing Program (CMP) into the production of all its paper, tissue and packaging products. The Clean Manufacturing Program emphasizes the need for greater energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reductions, as part of APP's commitment to the Roadmap Vision 2020. The program also supports the Indonesian Government's Nationally Determined Contribution, which includes an unconditional greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of 29% by 2030. APP began to implement CMP in the fourth quarter of 2016 and the process will continue for the next 12 months. The main objective is to identify opportunities to improve energy efficiency and to implement measures to achieve optimal savings in energy use and carbon emissions over the short and long term. click Read More below for additional detail

REI continues its efforts to lead on sustainable operations. The retailer’s newest distribution center, in Goodyear, Arizona, has achieved LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Platinum certification — the highest level in the U.S. Green Building Council’s green building rating system — making it the first DC in the U.S. to achieve both LEED Platinum certification and Net Zero Energy. The 400,000-sq.-ft. building is the second largest Platinum-certified distribution facility in the United States. "REI worked hard to deliver a new standard for the industry that was in line with our values and commitment to sustainable operations,” said Rick Bingle, REI's VP of supply chain. “To create an impact that extends far beyond the co-op, we chose to open the design of the facility and our doors to the industry, not only to make it easier for other companies to build this technology into their operations, but to actively encourage them to do so." REI achieved LEED Platinum certification by implementing sustainable strategies and solutions throughout the building. click Read More below for additional detail

It has come to our attention that Defra has just published its updated “Greening Government Commitments 2016-2020” which, amongst a number of environmental initiatives, includes a commitment to reducing paper consumption by 50%. However, the report does not consider what communications medium will replace this reduced paper use or that alternatives, most likely digital, will themselves have substantial environmental impacts. Two Sides promotes the attractiveness and sustainability of print and paper as an environmentally friendly communications medium. We work closely with major organisations to ensure that paper reduction initiatives are not made on the basis of spurious environmental claims. Defra’s own code of conduct, (and we attach an extract), states: “A green claim should be truthful, accurate and able to be substantiated”. Therefore, in order to claim that a reduction of paper use by 50% would assist the government to reduce its carbon impact, there needs to be a clear life cycle analysis behind the claim which also must include the impact of the associated increase in electronic communications which would presumably arise. click Read More below for additional detail

2016 was a fantastic year for the PEFC Alliance, as we welcomed six new national members to the family – but 2017 could be even better! As has become the tradition during our General Assembly, representatives from countries actively developing national forest certification systems were invited to speak – and this year we had a very busy agenda, with Cambodia, Mexico, Nepal, Philippines, Republic of Congo and Viet Nam all taking part. “There was no interest in forest certification, until PEFC came to our country,” said June Alvarez from the Philippine Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development. “Since then, we have led an education campaign, started drafting our national system and begun the creation of a national governing body – all with the assistance of PEFC International.” click Read More below for more of the story

From seed to shelf, J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI)’s forestry and forest products operations produce very little solid waste. Our approach is to work continuously to identify waste streams, reduce, and then recover process residuals, and put them to beneficial use. One of the best examples of this effort is JDI's Biomass Ash to Farmers’ Fields program. The ash is the by-product of green energy biomass boilers at three New Brunswick JDI locations: Irving Pulp & Paper in Saint John, and our sawmills - Grand Lake Timber in Chipman and Scierie Grande Rivière in Saint Leonard. This is a great "’Reduce-Reuse-Recycle’ story," said Renée Morais, JDI Environmental Coordinator. “What was once considered a waste destined for the landfills is now reused as a beneficial supplement for agricultural soil enhancement." click Read More below for more of the story

“We were delighted to welcome three new national members to the PEFC Alliance during our General Assembly”, said Ben Gunneberg, CEO of PEFC International, as Macedonia, Romania and Thailand became the latest countries to join PEFC. “In fact, this year has been an incredible year for us, with six new national members and four new international stakeholder members. We’ve not had a year like this since we were created over 16 years ago!” Any organization wishing to join the PEFC Alliance must be voted in by the other PEFC members. For most of the year, this is done through a postal ballot. But once a year, at the General Assembly, all our members come together and get to cast their votes in person. click Read More below for additional detail

“In a world where the demand for timber is going to increase as populations grow, it is very interesting to see that there are ways to allow the Russian economy to develop further, particularly in rural areas, in a way that benefits both biodiversity and local communities,” said Ben Gunneberg, CEO of PEFC International, following his participation at the II International Conference of the Russian Pulp & Paper Industry last week. “Forest certification is one of the key tools to allow not only local benefits to be achieved, but also to ensure that there is acceptability for Russian timber in the marketplace,” Ben continued. click Read More below for more of the story

Ethiopia’s forests support the livelihoods of millions of people. But as we see elsewhere around the world, these forests are continually threatened – cleared to become grazing and agricultural land, or simply the space is needed for ever increasing populations. “While there is a clear need for sustainable forest management within the country, Ethiopia is actually in a great position to develop a national forest certification system,” said Rémi Sournia, Projects and Development Officer for PEFC International, following his outreach trip which saw him travel around the country to meet with stakeholders, farmer unions and government. “We now plan to start working on the development of a project in the country, collaborating with a range of partners including ENAO, Ethiopia’s accreditation organization, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, universities and farmer organizations.” click Read More below for more of the story

The UPM biodiversity programme received an honourable mention in the 2016 corporate biodiversity awards by Finland's leading corporate responsibility network FIBS. The six finalists presented their proposals to a judging panel and audience in a pitching event. "The UPM biodiversity programme has complex and extensive effects on biodiversity both in Finland and abroad. The programme contains numerous innovative experiments and solutions, and it is a frontrunner in the preservation and maintaining of biodiversity, as well as communicating about this at a national and international level," says Lauri Kivekäs, chairman of the jury. UPM created its strategic biodiversity programme 20 years ago. The aim of the programme is to incorporate forest biodiversity and its key requirements into the modern forest industry. click Read More below for additional detail

Appleton Coated has received the WWF Environmental Paper Awards 2016 (Category “Striving for Continual Improvement”) for screening the forest, climate, and water footprint of selected paper products with WWF’s Check your Paper Method. Appleton Coated senior vice president of marketing & customer services, Ann Whalen, comments, “Appleton Coated strives to make it easy for customers to choose environmentally-responsible papers. WWF recognizes our efforts to expand our offering of higher post-consumer recovered fiber products. In areas where we have made less progress than desired, the WWF focus on transparency and continuous improvement pushes us to be more innovative and diligent in those efforts.” click Read More below for additional detail

Latvia, one of the most heavily forested countries in Europe, has successfully achieved the re-endorsement of its national forest certification system. This endorsement confirms that the Latvian system continues to meet our globally recognized Sustainability Benchmarks and ensures that certified forest owners and companies in the country continue to benefit from the global acceptance of PEFC. Since Latvia was first endorsed by PEFC in 2001, half of the country’s forests - more than 1.6 million hectares - have achieved PEFC certification. With about half of the Latvian forests owned by the state, there are about 150,000 private forest owners in Latvia, who, together with their families, form a remarkable part of society in country with a population of just over 2 million people. click Read More below for more of the story

Top companies in Asia say they are standing behind the Paris climate accord reached last year, regardless of what path the U.S. takes. That includes at least one major producer of palm oil, a product whose plantations are often associated with deforestation and air pollution caused by the burning of land to make way for them. "We will continue to emphasize our priorities and keep climate at the top of the agenda," John Hartmann, chief executive Cargill Tropical Palm Holdings Pte. Ltd., wrote in an email. A number of other corporate leaders, from Australia to Japan, said they also would stand firm on plans to reduce their carbon footprints, even as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has created uncertainty about the climate-change accord formed last year in Paris and now agreed to by nearly 200 nations. Top executives with many big American corporations also have said they would follow through on their plans to shrink their carbon profiles, even with Mr. Trump's skeptical view of some Obama administration environmental policies. click Read More below for additional detail

HP has been identified as a global leader for the actions and strategies it is taking to manage its use of timber products more sustainably by CDP, which named HP one of only eight companies to earn a position on the inaugural CDP “Forest A List” for its deforestation management efforts. HP is the only information technology (IT) company to make this year’s Forest A List. “We are proud to be recognized by CDP for our ongoing efforts to responsibly and sustainably manage our paper-based products and packaging,” said Nate Hurst, Chief Sustainability & Social Impact Officer. “This recognition reflects our commitment to combatting climate change and deforestation by operating a more sustainable business throughout our value chain.”

UPM has become member of RSB, the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials. RSB is a global standard and certification scheme for sustainable production of biomaterials and biofuels. It is also an independent multi-stakeholder coalition, which works to support the sustainability of biomaterials. RSB is considered one of the strongest sustainability schemes, verifying that biomaterials are ethical, sustainable, and credibly sourced. It is also one of the EU approved voluntary schemes for biofuels to show compliance with sustainability requirements set for the production of biofuels in the EU's Renewable Energy Directive. UPM sees great potential in RSB and is keen to be part of the future development of the scheme. click Read More below for additional detail

Plastic bags are commonplace in retail. But there’s an alternative that is much better for the climate. “Of the different carrier bags that we studied, the paper bag made by material from BillerudKorsnäs has the smallest carbon footprint,” said Lena Dahlgren from IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute. EU citizens use an average of 200 plastic bags a year, many of which are used in the current Christmas shopping period. Lots of plastic bags are only used once and end up in landfill. A Swedish life cycle analysis carried out by IVL Swedish Environmental Institute has now shown that the carbon footprint of a carrier bag made from recycled plastic is twice that of a paper bag made by material from BillerudKorsnäs. click Read More below for additional detail

SCA has been acknowledged as a global leader for its sustainable use of timber products with a position on the Forest A List for timber by the leading environmental non-profit, CDP. SCA is one of only eight companies to have achieved a commodity A grade. This list features businesses that are on the path to sustainably sourcing or producing timber commodities, which is among the four key commodities linked to global deforestation. click Read More below for additional detail

Metsä Board has achieved Leadership status in the materials sector of CDP’s 2016 Forest Programme for the second year in a row. This follows swiftly on the news that CDP recently recognised Metsä Board’s management of water security and climate change with A-List positions in both programmes. For Metsä Board, a key part of sustainable forestry is forest renewal. “Here in Finland, four new seedlings are planted for each harvested tree. Metsä Group delivers seedlings to forest-owners for planting, and during the past couple of years this has amounted annually to 30 million seedlings, which is an impressive number,” says Mika Joukio, Metsä Board’s CEO. click Read More below for more of the story

Asia Pulp & Paper Group (APP) has achieved a Gold Recognition Level for sustainability from EcoVadis, placing the company at the top 4% of suppliers in the category of pulp, paper and paperboard manufacturing industry. EcoVadis operates the first collaborative platform for 150 multinational companies enabling them to benchmark and monitor the sustainable performance of their suppliers with easy-to-use CSR scorecards helping procurement teams to monitor their suppliers’ environmental, social and ethical practices across 150 purchasing categories and 110 countries. APP was ranked in the top 5% for environmental performance and in the top 15% for Fair Business Practices and Supply Chain, among other categories. click Read More below for additional detail