Ikea Installing Fuel Cell System That Converts Biogas Into Electricity

J.D. Irving, Limited’s (JDI) tree improvement program started almost 40 years ago. The tree improvement process included selection of the best individuals in the region’s forests for qualities like rapid growth, tree straightness, and freedom from insect and disease problems. Traditional methods of grafting and planting these trees for quality seed production began at the Parkindale Seed Orchard. This process continues today, allowing for cross pollination among the best trees to produce well-adapted genetically-superior seed for use in the nurseries. Regular seed production is wind pollinated – trees in the orchard cross-pollinate as pollen is released into the air and lands on the receptive female flowers of another tree. JDI also produces seeds with two known parents for testing across the region. These trees also form the basis for the next generation of tree improvement.

Responsible business conduct is not a trend but a permanent change that companies should willingly embrace. Responsible companies take care of the environment as well as their employees, production chains and profitability. Investors and potential employees are increasingly assessing companies based on their responsibility actions. In addition, consumer expectations for true corporate responsibility continue to rise. Actions and transparency are required. It is hard to think of an industry that would not be affected by stakeholders’ expectations for responsible business practices. Responsibility requirements also widely impact the SME (small and medium-sized enterprises) sector because of the expectations relating to the production and sub-contracting chain. Clear business advantages encourage companies to strengthen their corporate responsibility. Integrating responsibility into the company’s strategy creates cost savings and brings new business opportunities. It is also a chance to come up with ideas for innovations that solve sustainability challenges. Mapping operational risks creates trust in the future and strengthens the company’s brand. According to one estimate, there is EUR 11 trillion worth of business opportunities in promoting sustainability targets. The capabilities, technologies and solutions of Finnish companies are desperately needed around the world.

The global demand for forest-based products is anticipated to increase by a third by 2035, and quadruple by 2050. This escalation is fueled by population growth, urbanization, and the cross-industry drive towards net-zero emissions. However, as outlined by WWF, our forests cannot simultaneously meet this escalating demand and be managed sustainably. To protect biodiversity and forest ecosystems, we must develop scalable solutions for the use but also reuse of forest-based materials. FSC is committed to fulfill our mission to safeguard our forests and to continuously adapt to fit the needs and challenges of future generations. To achieve this and maintain our ability to find future solutions for the numerous companies utilizing our systems as a cornerstone in their sustainability efforts, we are prioritizing to make it easier for companies to implement circular setups within the FSC standards and frameworks.