Despite EUDR uncertainties, FSC remains committed to forests

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

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

Many paper industry products are such an imbedded part of our lives that we often take them for granted, but just think about what our lives would be like without the tissue segment of our business. While paper products are inherently sustainable, the growing circular economy discourse has drawn single-use products like tissues and paper towels into the conversation—and often not in a positive way. However, a closer look at the tissue product sector reveals some interesting sustainability facts that may not be top of mind. First, consider that tissue products are highly engineered to perform multiple functions at once. Bathroom tissue, for example, must be strong, soft and absorbent enough to perform its primary purpose, yet break down in a matter of seconds to pass through wastewater systems. To make products that perform according to a wide range of functions and align with consumer needs, paper towel and tissue manufacturers must use the appropriate mix of wood fiber pulp and recovered paper, as each brings different properties to the table. Achieving ultra-softness and absorbency, for instance, requires the use of fresh fiber. U.S. manufacturers are committed to responsible and sustainable wood fiber sourcing. As part of an overall paper industry sustainability goal, paper towel and tissue producers are continually increasing the amount of fiber procured from certified forestlands and through certified fiber sourcing programs. Click Read More below for additional information.