Global Forest and Paper Industry's Sustainability Record Supports Transition to a Green Economy

The International Council of Forest and Paper Associations (ICFPA) this week released its 2013 Sustainability Progress Report showing improvements on a range of sustainability indicators and focusing on the industry's contributions toward a green economy. The ICFPA and its members have made strong and clear commitments to sustainable development and to working with other stakeholders in ensuring that environmental, social, and economic benefits of forest resources are available to current and future generations.

Since the signing of the CEO Leadership Statement on Sustainability in 2006, ICFPA has published a biennial report on its members' progress and performance in areas such as climate change, sustainable forest management, fighting illegal logging, and investments in workers and communities. In addition to reporting on performance, this fourth edition of the Sustainability Progress Report describes how the forest and paper industry is supporting a green economy through five key areas: resource efficiency, bio-based products, innovative technologies, carbon sequestration, and improved well-being of communities.

"Ours is a diverse industry that contributes to the economic development and social well-being of communities across the globe," said Donna Harman, president and CEO of the American Forest & Paper Association and president of the ICFPA. "Our global industry is working every day to improve our practices to ensure that we deliver sustainably-produced, renewable, natural products to our domestic and global customers. We are proud of our accomplishments and look forward to future progress as we contribute to sustainable development through new products and services in a green economy."

ICFPA members continue to show progress on environmental indicators:

Greenhouse gas emissions intensity has been reduced by 16% between 2005 and 2011
The share of bioenergy in the industry's fuel mix has increased by five percentage points since 2005, to 58%
The number of hectares certified to a third-party sustainable forest management certification system increased by 38 percentage points since 2000, to 50% of wood supply
Global paper recycling rates have increased by 10 percentage points between 2001 and 2011, to 56%
Sulfur dioxide emissions decreased by 34% between 2005 and 2011.

Contributing to this report are forest and paper industry associations from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Europe, India, Japan, Lebanon, Malaysia, New Zealand, Russia, South Africa, and the U.S.

The full report is available online.

TAPPI
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