A commitment to global sustainability
CEO Leadership Statement
June 8, 2006
The global forest products industry is a
diverse industry that contributes to the economic development and social
well-being of rural and urban communities world-wide. The industry is taking
the challenge of sustainable development seriously, through action to improve
forest management practices, combat illegal logging and improve environmental
management practices. With renewable natural products that are sustainably produced and recyclable and strong
sustainability practices that the sector is constantly striving to better, the
forest products industry is working together to be a global leader in
sustainability. This will be achieved by combining strong economic performance
with sound environmental management and attention to the social conditions
where we work.
Our Commitments
As global leaders in the forest products
industry, we recognize our roles and responsibilities in promoting
sustainability. We are committed to continuously improve our sustainability
performance through action in all relevant areas, including the following :
Promoting Sustainable
We support the principles of sustainable
forest management (SFM) and are committed to managing forests accordingly. To
this end, we strongly support the development of forest certification systems
and other mechanisms to promote SFM and improve forest management on the
ground. We support the extension of SFM certification systems to all nations,
as an assurance that forest products are being produced sustainably
from forests managed to the highest standards. We believe that sustainable use
of both natural and plantation forests will enable the world to meet its
growing needs.
We endorse certification systems that have the
following characteristics:
• Conforming with generally accepted rules
applicable to certification and accreditation;
• Consistent with internationally-recognised SFM criteria;
• Employing a third-party independent
certification process;
• Developed and implemented in a transparent
manner with input from stakeholders;
• Promoting continuous improvement.
Combating Illegal logging
We strongly oppose the practice of illegal
logging, which contributes to deforestation and undermines the viability of
legally harvested and traded products world-wide. We encourage the development
of laws and regulations, as well as effective government monitoring,
enforcement and assessment of forests, which are necessary to counteract
illegal logging and trade of illegally harvested wood. We recognize the
importance of poverty alleviation in combatting
illegal logging and support government initiatives to promote and advance
sustainable forest management and the conservation of designated protected
areas. Building on its expertise and resources, the industry is committed to do
its part to prevent illegal logging, using a variety of tools, such as
Geographic Information System(GIS), Environment Management System (EMS),
responsible purchasing policies for its inputs, tracking/tracing systems,
forest certification, codes of conduct, company sustainability reporting,
independent third party auditing and certification.
Fibre use and recovery
Recovered paper and wood provide an essential
and complementary source of fibre to meet society’s
needs for paper, board, packaging and wood products. The industry supports and
encourages the recovery of pre- and post-consumer paper and wood products. The
industry is committed to work with various stakeholders to increase recovery
rates and invest in technology to increase recycled fibre
input into modern paper and wood products, thus optimizing the use of wood as
raw material.
Environmental management
We are committed to ensuring that our activities
respect the environment, and maintain and improve the resources on which our
industry depends. We will comply with all regulatory requirements and apply
environmental management systems to continuously improve the environmental
practices and performance in our operations, including continuing to reduce the
use of water and energy in our industrial activities.
Creating solutions to global climate change
and energy supply challenges
The global forest products industry is
strongly committed to meeting the challenges of climate change. Trees, wood and
paper products are uniquely renewable and recyclable resources that help reduce
greenhouse gasses by storing CO2 from the atmosphere. We believe that fibre from sustainably managed
forests makes a positive contribution to the world’s future energy supply. The
industry is committed to innovative energy solutions that will increase
efficiency, reduce reliance on fossil fuel and expand the use of renewable
energy sources.
Investing in workers and communities
We are committed to maintaining a safe work
environment and improving our health and safety standards and practices. We are
committed to train our workforce to improve their skills and capacities. We
will contribute to the economic and social well-being of our workers and the
communities where we operate. We are committed to engaging with key
stakeholders and interest groups, and with indigenous and other communities
where we operate, in an open and respectful manner.
How We Will Work Together
We are committed to work through our national
and regional associations to continue to develop and put in place meaningful
sustainability initiatives which support these commitments. The elements of
effective sustainability initiatives are:
• Common principles
• Member companies’ commitment to act on the
principles
• Communication of progress through public
reporting
• Engagement of key stakeholders in dialogue
and partnerships
• Support for implementation through best
practice guidance
The International Council of Forest and paper
Associations (ICFPA) will report on and highlight the progress of its member
associations’ national and regional initiatives.
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This statement was signed at the 2nd ICFPA International CEO Roundtable by 56 CEOs of forest products companies
and presidents of forest products associations from 25 countries. This is the
initial launch of the commitment document and it is expected that other
companies and associations will sign on over the coming months. Today’s meeting
was organized under the auspices of the International Council of
Alphabetical list of Signatories
Abitibi Consolidated
Assocarta
Australian
Industry Council
Ballapur Industries
Biocel Paskov
Bracelpa (Brazilian Pulp and Paper
Association)
Canfor Corporation
Cartiera del Maglio
Cartiere Burgo Marchi
Catalyst Paper
Celpa
Celulosa Arauco y Constitución
(Arauco)
Cenibra
Cham Paper Group
CMPC Group
Confederation of European Paper
Industries, CEPI
Copacel
Crown Forestry Group
CORMA
Favini
Fedrigoni Cartiere
Forest Products Association of
Grupo Portucel/Soporcel
Hancock Land Co.
Hansol
India Paper
Manufacturers’
Association
Klabin
Lecta
Masisa
Mayr-Melnhof
Metsäliitto Group
Myllykoski Corporation
Nippon Paper Group, Inc
NZ
Oji Paper Co., Ltd.
Papierfabrik Palm
Papierfabrik Scheufelen GmbH
Paper Manufacturers’ Association of
RAO Bumprom
Sappi Europe
SCA
Smurfit Cartón de
Colombia SA
Smurfit Kappa Group
Södra
Stora Enso
Tembec
Thai Pulp & Paper Industry
Association
The
Company Limited
Tolko Industries
VDP
Veracel
Volga Inc.
VNP
In some cases, pending
final approval by the board of directors.
