After five years of effort, Taiwan has achieved a significant milestone in the Asia-Pacific region, with 100% of public forests now certified under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The certification covers nearly 1.6 million hectares, representing 71.5% of Taiwan’s total forest area—the highest certification rate in the region. The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture introduced the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification system since 2018 to promote sustainable forest management. Mr. Lin Hua-qing, Director of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, emphasized that this accomplishment will help reduce Taiwan’s reliance on imported timber. By sustainably managing domestic plantations, Taiwan aims to increase self-sufficiency, reduce energy consumption, and cut carbon emissions from long-distance timber transportation.

Bio-based materials are on the rise as companies strive to phase out fossil-based materials and transition to bio and circular economy. Today, non-forest bio-based materials are mixed with forest-based materials in FSC-certified products such as textiles, packaging, and furniture. Currently, non-forest bio-based materials are considered neutral in FSC-certified products and are exempt from FSC Chain-of-Custody requirements. FSC’s Circularity Hub is currently analyzing the use of non-forest bio-based materials in FSC-certified products to explore the potential of these emerging materials and FSC’s approach to them in the future. To gain insights into the actual use of bio-based materials, the Circularity Hub has launched a survey that FSC stakeholders are encouraged to participate in.

Since its founding in 1994, FSC has championed sustainable forest management, spanning economic, social and environmental aspects of sustainability. With its rigorous and trusted forest certification system, FSC is contributing to healthy and resilient forests, upholding the rights of Indigenous Peoples and forest sector workers, promoting gender equality, and safeguarding biodiversity. Strong relationships with a diverse set of stakeholders are central to FSC’s mission and impact. As of 2024, FSC’s impact across the globe includes: *160+ million hectares of forest certified worldwide *1,150+ members from 89 countries offering environmental, economic and social perspectives *300+ staff across 42 local offices extending FSC’s reach and advocacy *60,000+ certifications issued verifying sustainable practice *1,700+ brands holding an FSC promotional licence, helping drive awareness

Last week, we held the latest instalment of the PEFC alignment to EUDR webinar series, sharing news from the European Commission as well as the roll out of the new PEFC EUDR compliance support solution. With our PEFC experts Hubert Inhaizer (Sustainable Forest Management), Maja Drca (EU Affairs), Marta Martínez Pardo (Chain of Custody), and Rob Shaw (Data and Integrity), we touched on the alignment of our Sustainable Forest Management benchmark, the PEFC EUDR DDS module, partnerships with technology experts to ensure data management, and the latest new from the Commission. If you missed the webinar, you can see the recording at: https://pefc.org/news/on-the-path-to-eudr-alignment-see-our-webinar-recording

For the printing industry and its supply chain, embracing sustainable practices is not just a smart business decision—it’s essential for our future. Reducing your carbon footprint is one of the most impactful ways to contribute to a healthier planet while ensuring long-term business success. The following five strategies are practical, actionable, and designed to make a significant difference for businesses of all sizes. 1. Track Your Emissions - Before you can reduce your emissions, you need to know where they originate. 2. Implement Energy Efficiency Measures - Improving energy efficiency is one of the most effective ways to reduce emissions. 3. Reduce Waste - Reducing waste is a key component of sustainability. 4. Update Your Machinery - Modern machinery often incorporates innovations in automation and energy efficiency, making it more environmentally friendly than older models. 5. Validate Your Carbon Emissions and Reductions - Third-party validation of your carbon emissions and reductions adds credibility to your sustainability efforts.

The new PEFC RED II standards are a significant move towards PEFC providing companies with a tool to demonstrate their compliance with the RED II sustainability and greenhouse gas saving criteria across the European Union (EU). These new standards will enable PEFC chain of custody certified organisations seeking RED II compliance to obtain a PEFC RED II certificate and use the PEFC certification scheme to demonstrate that the forest biomass they use meets the relevant RED II sustainability criteria.

In an exciting collaboration between Wilfa and Papira® by Stora Enso, the wood-based packaging of the ProBaker kitchen mixer becomes a masterpiece creating a recipe for a more sustainable future. A collaboration that requires no compromise on either company’s strong focus on design, quality, safety and innovation. Who knew sustainable materials could look this good? Norwegian company Wilfa is dedicated to environmental responsibility and is actively seeking sustainable alternatives in packaging materials. With their ProBaker kitchen mixer they needed a solution that could meet their demands on sustainability, without compromising on protective features and design. “We will always try to challenge some established truths and technologies. The ProBaker has been developed together with professional bakers and users, and we’re becoming the favourite of advanced and demanding home bakers! When Stora Enso reached out to us with Papira®, we found this to be a perfect match for the ProBaker”, says Arnt Sandvik Nilsen, Category Director at Wilfa.

Tetra Pak has received the ‘Resource Efficiency’ Award at the Sustainable Packaging News Awards 2024, for its paper-based barrier material innovation. The awards recognise the most innovative advancements in sustainable packaging over the past year. A world-first in the carton packaging industry, the paper-based barrier when combined with plant-based polymers, reduces the carbon footprint of aseptic food packaging by up to one-third, while maintaining the highest standards of food safety and performance. The carbon reduction achievement has been verified by the Carbon Trust.1

In alignment with the FSC Strategic Framework on Diversity and Gender (2022-26), and furthering the foundational efforts of the Free to Grow in Forestry Movement, the co-leadership of FSC Canada, FSC US and FSC International, a North American Council comprised of FSC economic, Indigenous, environment and social chambers, and the International Forest Students Association (IFSA), are now working collaboratively to lead the sector toward strengthening their workplace culture for the betterment of all people. The FSC Strategic Framework on diversity and gender calls for a “paradigm shift” in workplace culture that can only be achieved by the joint efforts and contributions of all members of society. With that in mind, FSC has established an Inclusion Council for its North American membership. This council will provide strategic guidance on the development of an action plan, serving as a pilot case study for fostering the transformational change FSC aims to create internationally.

Metsä Group introduces voluntary nature compensation measures in its environmental deviations. Part of regenerative forestry, nature compensation overcompensates the harm to nature resulting from any legal violations. The operating model ensures that corrective measures linked to defective performance result in greater benefit than harm to nature. Nature compensation will be applied in matters related to the Nature Conservation Act and the Forest Act – key legislation in terms of biodiversity. The development of the compensation model is ongoing, and it will be applied retrospectively from 2023 for deviations detected. During 2025, an independent expert group invited by Metsä Group will participate in the determination of nature damage and compensation measures for these sites, while the operating model's methods are developed for the future.

Billerud’s new Science Based Targets have been officially approved, marking a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to contributing to a low carbon society. This approval highlights Billerud’s ambition to lead the industry in producing high performing, renewable paper and packaging materials. As part of this commitment, Billerud has committed to reduce Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 42% by 2030, using 2022 as the baseline year. “We have already made significant progress in European operations, and while continuing our efforts there, the largest reductions going forward will come from our North American operations. We have established plans including a dedicated organization and the necessary investments to achieve these targets,” says Ulrika Wedberg, EVP Sustainability & Public Affairs.

Pregis® has taken a transformative step toward its 2040 net-zero pledge. In 2024, the company will match 100% of the electricity consumed at six facilities with wind power. The sites selected primarily produce curbside recyclable paper mailers. This milestone reduces market-based scope 2 emissions by over 4,000 metric tons of CO2e annually—the equivalent of driving from New York City to Los Angeles 3,723 times. This renewable energy initiative accelerates the company’s comprehensive decarbonization strategy, which includes: *Transitioning all global operations to renewable energy *Enhancing energy efficiency and electrification in manufacturing *Expanding on-site solar energy installations *Innovating sustainable products with lower carbon feedstocks

FSC met with representatives of Domtar to discuss the potential implications of the transfer of the beneficial ownership of Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) to Mr. Jackson Wijaya (the current beneficial owner of Domtar) and to agree on the next steps forward in the legal review of the corporate and ownership links between Domtar and APP. We understand that the transfer of the beneficial ownership of APP to Mr. Jackson Wijaya has not yet taken place, and no details are available to us on the date of the expected transfer. The parties agreed to cooperate on a fast and rigorous process of review to examine the shareholding and ownership relationships, if any, between Domtar and APP because of this planned transfer. This review will be commissioned immediately and concluded after the transfer of beneficial ownership of APP to Jackson Wijaya is complete.

With a joint investment of around €3 million by Tetra Pak and Yellow Dreams, a new recycling plant is set to start operations in Ittervoort (The Netherlands) in the second half of 2025. The facility will handle the non-fibre component (polyAl) from used beverage cartons, boosting the recycling capacity in the European Union (EU). Strategically located near the Belgian and German borders, the plant has the potential to process the entire volume of polyAl from beverage cartons recycled in Belgium and The Netherlands, and part of the volume from Germany. Featuring an annual capacity of 20,000 tonnes, this second Dutch plant complements the existing 8,000-tonne capacity at Recon Polymers’ facility in Roosendaal, marking a significant increase to the region’s recycling capacity. It also adds to the existing and well-established recycling infrastructure in the EU, where beverage cartons are recycled in 20 specialised paper mills, with polyAl currently processed by ten facilities.

The European Parliament, Council of the European Union (EU), and EU Commission have agreed to a one-year delay in the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), amongst other outcomes. This decision underscores the complexity of tackling deforestation and degradation whilst ensuring regulations are both rigorous and enforceable. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) remains a staunch supporter of the EUDR’s ambition to create deforestation-free supply chains, in Europe and globally. This delay should not deter immediate action for sustainable forestry. We urge stakeholders to take the tangible steps already available and continue advancing forest stewardship together. FSC’s recommendations: 1. Act as if the EUDR is already in effect 2. Accelerate supply chain traceability 3. Strengthen collaboration with EU authorities 4. Empower smallholders and Indigenous Peoples while collaborating with governments

November 27th, the European Parliament approved the revised text of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). It means that the legislative process for the new regulation is soon finalised. What remains is the approval by the Council and then publication in the EU Official Journal by the European Commission. Since the European Parliament in April approved the provisional agreement made with the Council, the text has been on a legal and linguistic revision. One important change in the revision concerns the general obligations for re-use of transport packaging in Article 29 paragraph 1. It has now been clarified that the requirement applies in total and not for each of the listed packaging formats. The obligation on economic operators using transport packaging, or sales packaging used for transportation is that at least 40% in total of the listed packaging types must be reusable within a re-use system from 1 January 2030,.

As many brands have made commitments to using more sustainable packaging, a top priority tends to be shifting to recyclable or compostable packaging where possible. For brands who rely on flexible plastic films for their packaging, this can pose a challenge because of the lack of infrastructure in the U.S. to recycle these films through curbside programs. Given this challenge, companies are left with a few options to shift their packaging to: 1. Curbside-recyclable, fiber-based flexible packaging. 2. Compostable flexible packaging. 3. Rigid plastic packaging that is generally accepted for curbside recyclability. 4. Store drop-off, mono-material PE plastic. In other words, switching to an SDO-eligible film is just one option companies have when considering how to make their plastic film packaging more circular. So, when does it make the most sense to switch to each kind?

Domtar is a separate company from APP with its own management structure and governance. Domtar and APP will remain distinct entities, with no operational overlap and independent governance structures. The companies under the Domtar brand have long been among the most supportive champions of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Domtar actively engages with FSC policies, procedures, and practices, consistently seeking opportunities to engage suppliers to source more FSC-certified fiber. Domtar is continuing that engagement directly with FSC International to analyze and understand the implications of the Policy for Association and the Remedy Framework in light of this development. Domtar’s historical commitment to sustainable forest management and responsible fiber sourcing – as previously affirmed by the FSC – and its distinct separation in governance from APP should be considered in regards to its certification. The company remains committed to maintaining and continuously improving the sustainability of its operations while fostering strong collaboration with Indigenous partners and local communities.

FSC has extended the blockage period of a Chinese bamboo plywood manufacturer by 1.5 years for repeatedly making false claims on large volumes of bamboo plywood. Despite being blocked by FSC in 2022 for making false claims, FSC found evidence that the company recertified itself under a different name. The company did not disclose its certification history to the new certification body and continued to make false claims on its products despite being blocked by FSC. The company has certified itself under the following names: Zhejiang Anji Double Tiger Bamboo & Wood Industry Co., Ltd. (referred to as Anji Double Tiger); Zhejiang Anji Shuanghu Bamboo & Wood Industry Co., Ltd. (referred to as Anji Shuanghu). FSC considers the actions and intentions of Anji Double Tiger (and Anji Shuanghu) to be a serious threat to the integrity of the FSC system. Thus, in accordance with FSC’s Advice Note 18 (FSC-ADVICE-40-004-18 V2-0), FSC has blocked the company till July 2027.

Electronic communication is often presented as a “green” alternative to paper. Emails, cloud storage, or online bill payment and account management offer quick, cheap, and efficient options to paper-based communication and record-keeping, but the high environmental costs of the ever-expanding digital infrastructure are becoming harder to ignore, with its rising energy consumption and significant use of resources like rare-earth minerals and water. It’s essential to explore the overlooked environmental consequences of electronic communication and to understand the true sustainability of digital solutions versus paper-based alternatives. The push for digital communications, data storage, and other trends have led to enormous server farms that run 24/7, consuming staggering amounts of electricity. For example, a report in The Times (UK) revealed that the water consumption required for ChatGPT is four times higher than previously estimated. Additionally, tech giants like Google and Amazon seek new energy sources, including nuclear, to power their data centers. These centers are critical to electronic communication and data storage and now account for a significant portion of global electricity consumption.

Walmart and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) today announced a 10-year, $34.5 million renewal of the historic Acres for America conservation program. This new commitment from Walmart, combined with previous contributions, represents the largest corporate donation to NFWF since the Foundation’s creation by Congress in 1984, for a total of more than $100 million since the program began. Acres for America began in 2005, when Walmart U.S. made its first commitment of $34.5 million to NFWF to fund the conservation of one acre of wildlife habitat for every acre of land developed in the United States — estimated to be approximately 138,000 at the time. Over its 20-year history, Acres for America has far surpassed that goal, with more than 2 million acres of wildlife habitat protected — an area greater in size than the combined land area of Rhode Island and Delaware.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the world's most credible sustainable forestry solution, is now looking toward outer space as a part of the European Space Agency (ESA) 's new Bioeconomy Task Force, including its working group on sustainable forestry. The initiative, led by ESA's Business Applications and Space Solutions programme, will bring together private, public, and non-profit industry leaders to advance sustainability across Europe and beyond. Space-based technology offers exciting opportunities for the future of sustainable forestry. It can help FSC measure ecosystem services – carbon storage, biodiversity health, and other benefits forests provide – to support Verified Impact claims for forest managers. Ben White, Ecosystem Services Technology Officer for FSC Investment & Partnerships, says, "We can leverage this resource to ensure sustainable practices, help meet regulatory requirements, and improve integrity and transparency. This is especially important in the face of increasing regulatory expectations, like the EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR), which will require more verifiable data on forest health from companies bringing products into the EU."

FSC strongly endorses the EUDR and its mission to drive deforestation-free supply chains in Europe and globally. Our missions are mutually reinforcing, and we have been actively supporting companies in preparing for compliance, developing tailored solutions to ease the transition, and getting ready to support EUDR implementation. Regardless of the final agreement among the EU Institutions, we remain steadfast in our commitment to resilient, thriving forests and forest communities. This is why FSC Aligned for EUDR – a set of solutions that FSC Certificate Holders can use to support compliance – has FSC Certification at the core. Our standards not only prevent deforestation but offers the strongest social and environmental safeguards for working forests, actively protecting biodiversity and the rights of Indigenous Peoples. Any company, anywhere in the supply chain, who chooses FSC also chooses the highest standards for forest stewardship, no matter where the product is traded.

American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear called upon the nation’s heavy-duty truck and engine manufacturers to abandon their agreement with California regulators to abide by the state’s increasingly untenable and unachievable zero-emission vehicle regulations. “By strong-arming our industry into unachievable targets and timelines void of operational and economic reality, the California Air Resources Board’s mad dash to zero has set our industry up for failure, sowing the seeds of another supply chain crisis,” Spear wrote in a letter to the nation’s truck and engine makers. “California’s ideological approach has cratered the truck market; sales are down by over 50 percent compared to last year. Availability of California-certified diesel engines are hard to come by and expensive, rationed due to zero-emission truck sales requirements.”

The Green Innovation Awards, held at SIMEI's 30th edition in Milan, recognized Amcor Capsules’ business for its innovative products advancing packaging in the wine and spirits sector: *ESSENTIELLE, the industry's first plastic-free aluminum and paper sparkling foil. By replacing plastic with paper, the carbon footprint of this product is 31%* lower compared to standard complex foils, while the aluminum component is designed to be recycle-ready. *STELVIN® Goes Greener was recognized for achieving up to a 35%** reduction in carbon emissions compared to a standard screw cap produced with European aluminum sheets by incorporating up to 46%*** recycled and low-carbon primary aluminum.****

The Wisconsin Sustainable Business Council has recognized Green Bay Packaging Inc. at the Green Master level within its Green Masters Program®. Recognizing Wisconsin businesses that are prioritizing sustainability, the Green Masters Program® categorizes participants into four status levels that reflect the degree to which sustainability has been integrated into their business model: Adapting, Advancing, Maturing, and Green Master. Green Master status signifies that an organization has identified and is effectively managing its material sustainability issues and performance related to those issues, takes a comprehensive approach to sustainability, and is actively leading the transformation to a more sustainable society. Green Bay Packaging (GBP) continues to lead in sustainability, propelled by innovative initiatives and cutting-edge technology, consistently pushing the frontiers of environmental stewardship. At GBP’s Wisconsin 100% recycled paper mill, a biogas generator for increasing onsite renewable electricity was installed to further decarbonization. Company-wide, GBP grows trees on more than 250,000 acres of sustainably managed forests, reinforcing the commitment to sustainable forest practices with benefits to environment and communities. GBP continues its zero waste to landfill initiative, with 99% landfill diversion across paper converting, folding carton, coated products (Green Bay) and lumber operations.

In an important step towards ensuring the raw materials coming out of a PEFC-certified forest comply with EUDR requirements, the revised PEFC Sustainable Forest Management benchmark standard was approved by the PEFC General Assembly on Wednesday 13 November 2024. This revised standard, PEFC ST 1003:2024, comprises several new and amended requirements that will enable EUDR alignment for PEFC-certified material coming directly from a PEFC-certified forest. This marks an important step in our PEFC roadmap to EUDR alignment.

Mativ announced the release of its 2023 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report, the company’s first comprehensive, enterprise-wide report following the publication of its 2022 ESG Tear Sheet earlier this year. The 2023 report provides an in-depth look at Mativ's key achievements and ongoing initiatives in environmental sustainability, product stewardship, and social and governance topics, including workplace health and safety, ethics and integrity, and more. “At Mativ, we’re committed to creating long-term value for our shareholders through continuous improvement and an intense focus on good business practices,” said Julie Schertell, president & CEO of Mativ. “This report highlights the progress we’ve made advancing our environmental, social and governance efforts at all levels of our business and sets the stage for future advancements. By openly sharing our approach and achievements, we’re building trust with our stakeholders as we continue to grow responsibly.”

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) announced that 65-69% of paper available for recovery in the United States was recycled in 2023. The 2023 paper recycling rate is the first using AF&PA's updated methodology, which utilizes extensive industry data, subject matter expertise and detailed U.S. trade data to account for the continued shift of the U.S. balance of trade towards imports. The 2023 calculations show that paper remains one of the most highly recycled materials in America, with the industry recycling nearly 60% more paper today than it did in 1990 when initial recycling rate goals were established.

Diversey has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with NatureLoop, a Kuala Lumpur-based organization dedicated to addressing the global plastic waste crisis. The partnership focuses on upcycling single-use plastic waste into new, useful products. Amrinder Sethi, country business director for the Philippines and Malaysia at Diversey, and Brandon Chong Chee Wing, Founder and CEO of NatureLoop, formalized the collaboration. The signing was witnessed by Sherif Fahmy, vice president for Southeast Asia at Diversey, and Siew Zhi Zhou, designer and production manager at NatureLoop. As the global plastic waste problem intensifies, this collaboration aims to transform used plastic containers from Diversey customers into sustainable products like coffee tables, stools, wall clocks, tissue boxes, sports medals, and decorative items. Under the MOU, NatureLoop will collect between 200 to 500 kg of empty plastic containers from Diversey customers each month, with support from Diversey Malaysia. These containers will be processed at NatureLoop's local facilities to create high-value upcycled products.

Prioritizing packaging made from recycled materials that can be recycled again simplifies sustainable choices for consumers. The easier the process, the more likely consumers are to participate — reducing the chances that packaging ends up in landfill. However, that doesn’t mean there is a simple solution for businesses as there is no one-size-fits-all solution. By exploring various options, businesses can strike a balance between functionality and sustainability. Ultimately, the choice of packaging depends on factors like cost, environmental impact, operational fit, and consumer preference. Sustana offers solutions like Sustana EnviroLife™, a sustainable recycled fiber designed for food-safe packaging, which balances durability with eco-friendly practices. By thoughtfully choosing and innovating packaging options, businesses can support sustainability while meeting their operational goals.

Huhtamäki Oyj has signed a EUR 450 million sustainability-linked syndicated multi-currency revolving credit facility loan agreement (“RCF”) with a maturity of five (5) years. The RCF refinances an existing EUR 400 million sustainability-linked syndicated revolving credit facility signed in January 2021 and will be used for general corporate purposes of the Group. The RCF has two one-year extension options at the discretion of the lenders. The Mandated Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners of the RCF are Citi, Nordea Bank Abp, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ), BNP Paribas, Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft, Danske Bank A/S, DBS Bank Ltd., London Branch, J.P. Morgan SE, Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen Girozentrale, OP Corporate Bank Plc., Raiffeisen Bank International AG and Standard Chartered Bank AG.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) recently announced the results of its 2024 Sustainability Awards, and Domtar was among the winners. Our winning project was our water conservation program, which began as a pilot program in 2023. It will save more than 1 billion gallons of water annually and contribute to our goal to reduce water use by 20 percent per unit of product by 2030 (compared to a 2019 baseline). AF&PA’s Leadership in Sustainability — Water Management award recognizes our efforts to reduce our water usage as part of our overarching sustainability goals. “Sustainability is foundational for our members, and our awards program reflects that,” said AF&PA President and CEO Heidi Brock in a recent press release. “These award-winning projects demonstrate sustainability leadership and innovation in action. We are proud to recognize real-world examples of how our forest and paper industry sustainability goals come to life.” We launched our award-winning water conservation program in 2023. We dedicated a portion of capital spending solely for water-reduction projects. This water reduction fund was designed to attract innovative projects and ideas from teams within the Domtar network. Mills could submit proposals for a chance to earn a portion of the available funds. “The projects didn’t need to provide a financial return. The priority was saving water,” explains Brian Kozlowski, senior director of environment and sustainability for Domtar’s Paper and Packaging business unit. “That gave our employees the chance to think beyond the bottom line, and they really did!” The results from 2023 were impressive. The water conservation program completed ten projects at seven mills that will save more than 1 billion gallons of water annually. That’s enough water to fill more than 1,600 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

FSC is excited to announce the launch of a new eTraining on the Continuous Improvement Procedure (CIP) (FSC-PRO-30-011 V1-1), a stepwise approach that enables Small or Low-Intensity Managed Forests (SLIMF) and community forests to progressively achieve FSC certification. This tool provides flexibility and reduces barriers, helping smallholders and communities engage with FSC standards over time. The CIP eTraining covers essential elements of the procedure, such as core crtieria. It explains how the procedure supports users in achieving core criteria first and then advancing towards full conformity with FSC’s standards within the certification cycle of five years. The interactive format offers practical insights and guidance on structuring an Action Plan, initial self-check requirements, and regular self-monitoring for ongoing improvement.

The 2023 Mondi Group Sustainable Development (SD) report is once again ranked among ‘Top performers’ in the latest Reporting matters edition. We have maintained our position among the leaders in transparent and effective sustainability reporting since 2018. Over 180 sustainability reports were assessed this year as part of the long-standing World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Reporting matters assessment. The analysis highlighted that Mondi Group’s 2023 SD report clearly included a robust discussion of the impacts of external and regulatory trends. Other notable highlights mentioned were that our MAP2030 sustainability framework and the progress against it are presented in a clear and comprehensive manner, with creative design elements helping readers navigate the report and access key information.

​​In accordance with its ESG strategy and in line with Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) methodology, Lecta calculates its organizational carbon footprint (OCF) and its product carbon footprint (PCF) providing a comprehensive analysis of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting from its operations. On both targets, Lecta has reduced its emissions every year since 2021. This effort has in turn enabled it to commit to ambitious group-wide CO2 emission reduction targets. Lecta has set a 45% decrease in Scope 1 and 2 emissions and a 35% reduction in Scope 3 emissions by 2030, compared to the 2021 baseline. To solidify its commitment to decarbonization, Lecta has already submitted its reduction targets to SBTi for validation in September 2024. This strategic move underlines the company's commitment to transitioning to a resilient, net-zero economy based on scientific principles.

Tredegar Corporation announced that it has completed the previously announced sale of Terphane, its flexible packaging films business headquartered in Brazil, to Oben Group. Commenting on the sale, John Steitz, Tredegar’s president and chief executive officer said, “The sale of Terphane completes a strategic goal that we’ve been working on for well over a year. We believe that Terphane will have greater scale and growth opportunities with Oben, a global player in the highly competitive flexible films industry. We wish the best for the employees and stakeholders of Terphane and Oben.” Gonzalo Belaunde, Oben’s chief executive officer, said, “We are pleased to complete the acquisition of Terphane. We believe that combining our capabilities will improve the service and quality provided to our customers and markets. We welcome Terphane to the Oben team.”

“PEFC has been promoting nature-positive and people-positive sustainable forest management for the past 25 years, and the structures that we have put in place can be scaled up to bring even more forests under sustainable management,” said Thorsten Arndt, Head of Advocacy at PEFC International, at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP 16) yesterday. Speaking at the side event “Sustainable Forest Management: Key to Biodiversity” he explained that not only about a quarter of the world’s production forests is certified under PEFC, but also one million smallholders have achieved PEFC certification. Smallholders manage a significant portion of the world’s production forests. Recent estimates suggest that smallholders are responsible for managing around 25% of all production forests globally. This highlights the crucial role they play in sustainable forest management and the broader forestry sector, and PEFC has successfully made certification accessible to them.

Economic pressures continue to drive many cases of greenwashing, with numerous organizations that have previously relied on paper for communication shifting their customers from traditional paper-based services to digital platforms to cut costs. This transition is often accompanied by misleading and unsubstantiated environmental marketing claims like “Go Green – Go Paperless” or “Choose e-billing and help save a tree,” – but this is misleading and greenwashing. Globally, Two Sides has engaged over 2,800 organizations making misleading claims about paper. In North America alone, nearly 200 companies, from large Fortune 500 companies to small local utilities, have removed or changed these statements. Consumer preferences are being ignored in the push for digital communications. Data from the 2023 Two Sides Trend Tracker report revealed that 81% of U.S. consumers believe they should have the option to choose and do not want to be forced over to digital communications.

FSC has blocked Join Bums (Shandong Join Bums Eco Tissues Co. Ltd. - FSC-C159817/SCS-COC-007503), an FSC certificate holder from China, for making false claims regarding the bamboo toilet paper rolls it sold to its clients in the United Kingdom. Between May 2021 and March 2024, Join Bums sold large volumes of bamboo toilet paper rolls with FSC 100% claims. However, the company reported zero sales and purchases of FSC-certified material to its certification body since it was granted FSC certification in 2020. Join Bums also waived two surveillance audits in 2021 and 2023. Earlier this year, FSC was alerted to a possible integrity risk in its certified bamboo toilet paper supply chain. In March 2024, a British media outlet published an investigative article, alleging that bamboo toilet paper sold by FSC-certified companies contained very little bamboo fiber, despite claims of being 100% bamboo. Tests revealed that the toilet paper rolls contained high amounts of acacia and eucalyptus instead.

We are proudly supporting the largest conservation easement project in South Carolina history, dedicating over 62,000 acres of the Pee Dee Basin to permanent protection. The $50 million grant, administered by the U.S. Forest Legacy Program and supported by Atlantic Packaging, the Open Space Institute, the South Carolina Forestry Commission, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, and the South Carolina Office of Resilience, aims to balance sustainable forestry, recreation, and environmental resilience for generations to come. This historic project addresses the urgent need for conservation amid South Carolina’s rapid population growth. Protecting these vast lands, equivalent to three times the size of Hilton Head Island, ensures clean water, flood mitigation, wildlife habitat preservation, and a boost to South Carolina’s timber economy.

Beyond Board is a set of services designed to address the evolving needs of Stora Enso’s customers in the packaging industry. The portfolio focuses on sustainability services, and spans from trainings and regulatory support to circularity assessment and LCA services. The sustainability training aims to build a foundation of sustainability knowledge throughout organisations, including sales, sourcing and product management. While these teams are experts in their products, they can benefit significantly from guidance on topics like forestry and fibers, circularity, recyclability and impact on the climate. As sustainability becomes increasingly vital in decision-making, this training provides valuable knowledge for our customers.

Ahlstrom, a global leader in fiber-based specialty materials, has joined the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), a global organization committed to accelerating the transition to a sustainable world. By becoming a member of WBCSD, Ahlstrom will collaborate with some of the world’s most forward-thinking companies to further the global sustainability agenda. Together, Ahlstrom and WBCSD aim to tackle urgent environmental issues, including climate change, the need for clean air and water, decarbonization, biodiversity loss, and plastic pollution. “At Ahlstrom, we are committed to being part of the solution to global sustainability challenges. We believe that sustainability is a complex journey that requires collaboration to drive meaningful change. Our purpose, ‘Purify and Protect with Every Fiber for a Sustainable World,’ guides our efforts to innovate fiber-based solutions that are safe and sustainable by design,” says Helen Mets, President & CEO of Ahlstrom.

How to incentivise smallholders for sustainable commodity production in a world of increasingly complex supply chains was part of discussion at the “Next-Gen Forest Solution – Financing A Systemic Solution for Forest and Biodiversity Conservation” side event at COP 16 in Cali, Columbia. “In the end, it is producers whom we want to produce commodities sustainably, and many of them are smallholders,” highlighted Thorsten Arndt, Head of Advocacy at PEFC International, during the panel discussion. “It has been important that brand owners and retailers have specified PEFC in their procurement policies, as this has led to widespread adaption of certification, yet it has also placed a financial strain on producers who must absorb the costs of compliance.”

AptarGroup, Inc. reported strong third quarter results due to solid operational performance and margin improvement across the company. Results were driven by growth in proprietary drug delivery systems, as well as increased demand for closure technologies. Reported sales and core sales increased by 2%, as currency and acquisition effects did not impact the quarter. Aptar reported net income of $100 million for the quarter, a 19% increase from the prior year. “Aptar delivered another strong quarter driven by our Pharma and Closures segments. We saw increased demand for our proprietary drug delivery systems, active material science solutions and closure technologies, especially for food applications. The Beauty segment saw growth in the personal care and home care markets, but it was not enough to offset tough comparisons from tooling and fragrance dispensing solutions from the prior year period. All three segments continued to demonstrate solid operational performance and margin improvement. We are proud of the strong results and progress we have made for the first nine months of the year and are positioned to achieve double-digit adjusted EPS growth for the full year,” said Stephan B. Tanda, Aptar President and CEO.

Clearwater Paper Corporation released its 2024 Sustainability Report, an annual update on the company’s progress against their multi-year sustainability goals. Aligned with the company’s strategic sustainability framework, Everyday Responsibility, the report details sustainability work and initiatives spanning three distinct yet equally important pillars: Resource Stewardship, Trusted Products, and Thriving People and Communities. “Reflecting on 2023, I am pleased with what we accomplished throughout the year,” said Arsen Kitch, president and chief executive officer. “All our people play a role – every day – in ensuring that we make and deliver excellent products in sustainable ways and work collaboratively with our stakeholders and each other.” This year’s report shares progress the company made throughout 2023, as well as impactful stories and achievements that exemplify Clearwater Paper’s commitment to Everyday Responsibility.

The European Commission announced a proposal for an extra 12 months of phasing-in time of the EUDR. FSC continues to strongly support the creation of deforestation-free markets, in Europe and worldwide, while underlining the continued urgency of swift action to prevent deforestation. Read our response here. FSC remains committed to supporting EUDR implementation and business compliance in the timber and rubber value chains and we encourage companies to continue their preparations. To do so, the following critical updates, clarifications, and resources, recently released by the Commission complements FSC’s mission to streamline the compliance journey. All these materials can be found on the revamped EUDR website. Guidance document: This long-awaited, non-binding guide complements the EUDR text and will be useful for both operators and Competent Authorities. It features sections for legality, timelines, certification systems, and product scope.

SCA has become a co-owner of SE technology and the pilot facility developed and operated by SweTree Technologies. With SE technology, it is possible to quickly and efficiently produce more plants from the best seed material from forest breeding. SweTree Technologies is running a pilot project to develop automated plant production via Somatic Embryogenesis (SE) in collaboration with forestry companies Stora Enso, Sveaskog, Södra, and Holmen. Now, SCA has also joined the project as an SE company and become a co-owner of SE technology and the pilot facility developed and operated by SweTree Technologies. So far, the development has focused on spruce plants, but with SCA's involvement, SweTree has also started the development of SE technology for pine. This is being done jointly with all participating companies, parallel to the ongoing development for spruce.

The first results of the Natural Resources Institute Finland on the forests of Metsä Group's owner-members demonstrate the need for new initiatives that increase biodiversity. According to indicators, biodiversity in forests has developed both positively and negatively over the past decades. Based on the results, the number of trees and also deciduous trees has increased significantly. The increase in the number of trees based on our native tree species indicates a positive development for their companion species. Increasing the proportion of deciduous trees is an important measure in adapting to climate change and also significant for the health of forests. It is good to regenerate forests into mixed forests using, for example, pine-spruce mixed cultivation, as well as increasing the share of birch through natural regeneration. In addition, it is increasingly important to protect less common deciduous trees in order to safeguard biodiversity.

Guess Inc. is stepping up its sustainability efforts with the launch of “Guess Again,” a new apparel recycling program for U.S. online customers. The program launched Oct. 10 in partnership with textile recycling platform SuperCircle. Going forward, Guess will let consumers recycle pre-owned clothing from any brand, participating in a broader circular economy for retailers. Through the Guess website, customers can request a shipping label to send in unwanted clothing. In return, they receive Guess credits for future purchases. From there, SuperCircle handles the rest of the process. Later steps include collecting and sorting the clothes, as well as disassembling them. Then, materials are sent to recycling partners that specialize in different fibers.

On 11 October 2024, the European Commission announced the positive technical assessment for the PEFC RED II certification. The European Union’s (EU) Revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) is the Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources. Under RED II, the European Commission (EC) can recognise voluntary certification schemes as compliant with the rules included in the RED II to help verifying that the production of fuels and energy from forest biomass complies with the EU sustainability criteria as well as relevant methodologies. By using voluntary certification schemes, participating economic operators can demonstrate their compliance with the RED II sustainability and greenhouse gas saving criteria and provide the necessary assurances. To achieve recognition from the European Commission, PEFC has developed a set of new standards: the PEFC RED II standards. The PEFC RED II scheme is built up over the PEFC Chain of custody. PEFC RED II certification covers forest biomass, ligno-cellulosic material derived from processing residues originating in forest-related industries, waste, and biomass fuels produced from ligno-cellulosic material for heating, cooling, and electricity production.

As a co-op, we often ask our members, employees and broader community to support policies that enable everyone to enjoy time outside. In recent years, we’ve collectively supported the protection of 246 million acres of U.S. lands and waters; $45 million in federal funding for safe trails to bike and run; and more than $1 billion in funding for state parks. Today we are raising our collective voice in opposition to Washington Ballot Initiative 2117. If ratified by voters in a few weeks, I-2117 would strip billions of dollars in climate investments across our home state—draining programs that support air quality, transportation, wildlife habitats, wildfire prevention, recreation infrastructure, and the health of our public lands and waters.

Metsä Group recently launched a national media campaign “Growth, with a future”. It comes at a time when the requirements for sustainability communication are becoming increasingly strict due to stricter regulation and critical attitudes. As things stand, many marketing professionals may consider a campaign communication strategy known as greenhushing. It means that companies opt to remain silent about sustainability themes to avoid critical attention. This approach may be adopted accidentally, or it may stem from not knowing how to communicate about sustainability, with our world and its regulations in a continuous flux. Greenhushing may also be a conscious choice. Things that just a few years ago were considered typical marketing measures can easily be labelled as greenwashing today. What may seem like minor miscalculations can quickly blow up into a media storm and lead to reputational damage. It’s positive that people today are more conscious, and that greenwashing is recognised more easily. This encourages businesses to pursue genuine sustainability efforts and prevents communication becoming empty words.

Opinel, a symbol of French craftsmanship and proud ambassador of the Savoie region in France, has taken another step forward in its commitment to forest sustainability. During an official ceremony at its Chambéry workshops, the company was awarded PEFC certification, confirming that the wood used in its iconic knives comes from sustainably managed forests and controlled sources. For 135 years, world-renowned company Opinel, has continued to stand out for its local roots, unique expertise, and environmentally friendly approach. The achievement of PEFC certification strengthens this historic commitment.

Despite being a common practice for decades, misconceptions about recycling – such as the belief that it mostly ends up in landfills, doesn’t make a difference, uses more energy than it saves, and is economically unviable – persist among consumers. To combat these myths, businesses can focus on education and clarity. They can simplify recycling processes by providing clear instructions, like those offered by the How2Recycle label, and using social media to raise awareness. Collaborations, like those between McKinsey and NielsenIQ, show that environmental claims on packaging can drive consumer interest. Sustana is a proud pioneer and leader in sustainability and circularity. We’re always looking to share our sustainable vision with our customers. We think the most effective time to educate and guide consumers on the best ways to recycle our sustainable fiber-based and paper products is all the time – not just when they’re about to discard a product and trying to remember how to recycle it.

From the forest to the marketplace, what matters most to your business when it comes to forest certification? We are conducting a brief survey to better understand what is important to you regarding forest certification, from responsible sourcing at the forest level to reaching the end consumer. Your feedback will help us enhance our value offering and shape future services. Whether you're a retailer, brand manufacturer, supplier, PEFC-certified company, or source PEFC-certified materials, please share your thoughts! The survey takes approximately 12 minutes to complete and is divided into three sections: Sustainability issues; Certification performance; Training needs and other areas. Take part in the survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PEFCmarketSurvey2024

Amcor's overall score increased from 70 to 73, placing the company in the 95th percentile of all companies assessed by EcoVadis. This recognition highlights Amcor's extensive work and positions the company among the top 5% of all companies evaluated. Notably, Amcor ranks in the top 1% of companies in its sector for sustainable procurement. The EcoVadis Gold medal underscores the company's commitment to implementing impactful initiatives and achieving measurable progress throughout the year. David Clark, chief sustainability officer at Amcor, said, "We understand that our customers seek partners who not only share their values and support their strategic goals but also consistently demonstrate the highest standards. We are thrilled that EcoVadis has recognized Amcor's with a Gold medal. It serves as a testament to our dedication and the tangible progress we've made in our journey."

The latest sustainability report shows Sun Chemical’s progress toward its goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2030, with 2013 as a baseline, and becoming net carbon neutral by 2050. Sun Chemical approaches its three business pillars of operations, products and services, and collaborations using the ‘five Rs’ framework – Reuse, Reduce, Renew, Recycle, and Redesign – to guide its sustainable initiatives and products in an effort to achieve a circular economy. “As the industry’s spotlight on sustainability grows brighter, brand owners and converters need supplier partners who can help them adhere to regulations and meet their goals,” said Michael Simoni, Director, Global Sustainability, Sun Chemical. “We are proud to announce that Sun Chemical is 86 percent of the way to meeting its own 2030 target to cut carbon emissions in half. Our ‘five Rs’ framework has focused our strategic efforts on reducing waste and improving efficiency, recyclability, and compostability while maintaining the highest standards of performance to best serve our customers.”

Holmen’s operations already benefit the climate today through forest carbon uptake in growing forests, products that can replace fossil-based products and generating renewable energy from water and wind. Despite this, the work continues to minimise the very low fossil emissions that remain at Holmen’s mill in Iggesund. Holmen’s mill in Iggesund, Sweden, places great emphasis on sustainability and reducing its climate impact. Over the years, it has delivered on this through steady improvements. Last year alone, the mill reduced its direct fossil CO2 emissions (from 2022 to 2023) by almost 25 per cent – and this was achieved without any major investments.

“We welcome ongoing developments in forestry legislation and sustainability initiatives worldwide, and we strongly believe that mandatory and voluntary actions must work hand-in-hand to achieve meaningful sustainability outcomes,” said Matteo Mascolo, FSC's Lead for EU Affairs & Engagement. FSC fully supports the creation of deforestation-free markets and continues to underline the urgency of swift action to prevent deforestation. FSC was one of 170 NGOs co-signing a letter of urgency for the timely implementation of the Regulation.

The American Forest & Paper Association President and CEO Heidi Brock released the following statement regarding the European Union’s Commission decision to extend the EU Deforestation Regulation implementation deadline to December 2025. “We appreciate the EU Commission for being responsive to U.S. government officials and the numerous partners across the globe who have voiced concerns about the complex requirements and significant technical barriers of EUDR. Today’s additional guidance and extension of the implementation deadline provides industries like ours with more time to engage on workable solutions that avoid trade disruptions. “AF&PA fully supports the EUDR goal of deforestation-free supply chains. The U.S. pulp and paper industry is not linked to global deforestation and forest degradation." "We believe in balanced and achievable regulations, and are a strong proponent of international efforts to address deforestation and forest degradation. As such we welcome the Commission's commitment to a stronger cooperation framework."

Siemens Financial Services launched the Decarbonization Business Optimizer (DBO™), a cloud-based tool created to help address the overwhelming complexity of decarbonizing buildings and the financing needed to get to net-zero emissions. The DBO is a free, digital web tool that removes the initial knowledge barrier and uncovers more efficient strategies to help decarbonize a company’s facilities. The scenario modeling and optimization tool aggregates and leverages data from relevant governmental agencies including the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). “Companies, specifically those in the supply chain, are increasingly asked to report their carbon footprint to their customers -- yet many do not know where to begin,” said Anthony Casciano, President and CEO of Siemens Financial Services, Inc. “The DBO addresses these barriers by taking action and puts companies of all sizes, and at all stages, in a better position to create long-term value, accelerating participation in the transition to net-zero emissions.”

Consultation on revision of FSC's General Accreditation Standard, Certification Transfer Procedure and Procedure for Auditor Training Programme is open from 23 September 2024 to 21 November 2024 for your input. FSC is revising the general accreditation standard FSC-STD-20-001 V4-0 General Requirements for FSC Accredited Certification Bodies. The standard ensures that FSC certifications are managed in a competent, consistent, impartial, transparent, rigorous, reliable and credible manner. The standard is revised together with two related procedures FSC-PRO-20-003 Transfer of FSC Certificates and License Agreements and FSC-PRO-20-004 General Requirements for FSC Training Programme. Please access the process page here to learn more about this joint revision.

Lecta is proud to announce that it has been recognized by EcoVadis with the Platinum Medal in its second year assessed and rated at Group level. This shows Lecta's firm commitment to sustainability and its significant progress and achievements made aligned with its ambitious ESG strategy. EcoVadis is the world's most trusted provider of business sustainability ratings, and its scores are based on a rigorous methodology that evaluates companies' sustainability performance in four areas: Environment, Ethics, Labor and Human Rights, and Sustainable Procurement. With a score of 85/100 Lecta is placed among the top 1% of over more than 130,000 companies currently assessed by EcoVadis and among the 10 best companies out of the more than 300 rated in the Pulp, Paper and Paperboard industry.

“The sustainable management of tropical forest contributes significantly to safeguarding forests, protecting biodiversity, contributing to rural communities and sustainable livelihoods”, said Thorsten Arndt, Head of Advocacy at PEFC International at the Global Legal & Sustainable Timber Forum (GLSTF) 2024 in Macao SAR last week. “Yet we are facing a dichotomy. While we are all well aware of the tremendous benefits that sustainable forest management provides, topical timber has grappled with numerous challenges as it has struggled to maintain its stake in the international timber markets, especially in terms of public perception”, he remarked in his opening speech of the first session, Together Towards Reliable and Effective Global Timber Supply Chains.

The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is a transformative piece of legislation aimed at halting global deforestation by imposing stringent compliance measures on businesses importing or exporting commodities associated with forest degradation. While its environmental impact is undisputed, the ripple effect on global supply chains is profound, influencing not only operational frameworks but also the future landscape of supply chain management. 1. Redefining Supply Chain Transparency - The EUDR mandates companies to prove that their supply chains are deforestation-free, requiring traceability of products from their origin to the point of sale. 2. Increased Costs and Compliance Burden - Businesses must invest in data collection technologies, hire specialists, and reconfigure their supply chains to guarantee that raw materials sourced are in line with EUDR mandates. 3. Risk Mitigation and Strategic Shifts - Companies are prioritizing partnerships with suppliers that can provide clear evidence of sustainable practices, while others are exploring new sourcing regions where deforestation concerns are less pressing. 4. The Role of Technology in EUDR Compliance - Technology plays a critical role in ensuring EUDR compliance, with digital solutions offering the most promising avenue for companies to track, verify, and audit their supply chains. 5. The Future of Global Supply Chains Under EUDR - As the EUDR continues to reshape the regulatory landscape, the future of global supply chains will see a heavier emphasis on sustainability, traceability, and accountability.

Brazil on 9/11/24 asked the European Union not to implement regulations in its deforestation law at the end of the year as scheduled and asked for it to be revised to avoid hurting Brazilian exports. In a letter to the European Commission seen by Reuters, the Brazilian government said the law banning the import of products linked to the destruction of the world's forests could affect almost one third of Brazil's exports to the EU. The law passed in 2022 by the European Parliament was adopted in June last year, allowing 18 months for companies to adapt. The law applies to soy, beef, palm oil, coffee, cocoa, rubber, wood and derivatives, including leather and furniture.

Consumer behavior poses a significant challenge to the circular economy, despite growing interest in sustainability. While many consumers express a desire to support sustainable practices, they often default to convenience over effortful choices. At Sustana, our mission is to develop sustainable solutions with clean materials and a circular mindset. We address the need for convenience by producing and using recycled fiber as an ingredient in everyday products.

Soilfood, a Nordic circular economy company, studies the utilisation of fibrous side streams from Metsä Board's mills and has identified a new use as raw material in animal bedding. Increasing the added value of secondary products made from side streams is a circular economy where raw materials are kept in use as long as possible. Metsä Board’s mills manufacture high-quality fresh fibre paperboards focusing on lightweight and high-quality folding boxboards, food service boards and white kraftliners. The mills' fibrous fractions from the production of these products, can now be used as raw materials for animal bedding.

FSC has updated its Chain of Custody (CoC) directives FSC-DIR-40-004 Directive on Chain of Custody Certification and FSC-DIR-20-011 Directive on Chain of Custody Evaluations. This update streamlines the directives by removing obsolete advice notes that referenced older versions of the CoC standards and those that have been incorporated in latest version of Chain of Custody standards, both FSC-STD-40-004 and FSC-STD-20-011. One notable change involves the removal of ADVICE 40-004-07, which made provisions for the sale of FSC-certified products through non-FSC-certified auction entities. This advice note has been partially covered by FSC-STD-40-004 V3-1 and has been further clarified through an interpretation (see FSC-INT-STD-40-004_73 here) for affected stakeholders.

Following the introduction of FSC Aligned for EUDR – a set of solutions offered by FSC to support certificate holders with meeting the requirements of the EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR) – we have launched a comprehensive site to help with navigating these solutions. The FSC EUDR Journey site is now available to help certificate holders at every stage of their compliance journey. Since it came into force in 2023, the EUDR has posed a major challenge for those affected. FSC has made it our mission to support our certificate holders through the compliance process as much as possible. Being FSC-certified is already a very strong start – and our tailored EUDR solutions will help take certificate holders the rest of the way. It can seem like a lot: new requirements, new processes, new reporting systems, and more. But with FSC Aligned for EUDR and the accompanying FSC EUDR Journey site, much of this complexity and overwhelm can be resolved.

Forestry plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of North American ecosystems. Both the United States and Canada have implemented rigorous standards to ensure the sustainability of their forests, benefiting the environment and supporting the paper industry’s responsible practices. Sustainable forestry practices and certifications like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative), and PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) use third-party auditing to ensure compliance with standards. North American forests are vast and diverse, with the United States and Canada collectively managing hundreds of millions of acres of forestland. These forests are essential for biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and providing raw materials for various industries, including paper and paper-based packaging production. Responsible management and sustainable practices are critical for ensuring these forests remain healthy and productive.

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock and American Wood Council (AWC) President and CEO Jackson Morrill released the following statement regarding today’s DC Circuit Court’s decision on Boiler MACT. “We are pleased the Court affirmed EPA’s (and our) position that the already stringent air pollution limits for industrial boilers satisfy the requirements of the Clean Air Act. The forest products industry has invested roughly a billion dollars to reduce boiler emissions and welcomes the regulatory certainty to make sustainable forest products in the U.S. while supporting high paying manufacturing jobs. In addition, we welcome the Court’s common sense decision instructing EPA to only apply recently tightened new source limits to boilers built after 2020. This will provide mills with the information needed to comply when installing new boilers.”  

Forestry practices have been intensified for centuries to meet the growing demand for forest products. Today, the challenge is to balance this increasing demand with the urgent need to protect our forests. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is exploring ways to ensure that intensified forestry not only boosts productivity but also delivers long-term environmental and social benefits. FSC is working to uncover the broader effect of plantation forestry. With support from an advisory group that includes members from FSC International, FSC South Africa, and FSC Australia & New Zealand, the project aims to understand how FSC-certified intensified plantations improve the lives of local communities and create lasting environmental and economic benefits that ripple across the entire landscape. Register for the webinar at: https://fsc-int.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcudeyqrj0rEtC7F0vzrJWmX9Zk8aPWWxP7#/registration

An environmental violation was discovered at a Stora Enso harvesting site on Thursday 15 August, in Kainuu, Finland. The violation is being investigated as a serious nature conservation crime. Hans Sohlström, President and CEO of Stora Enso, says the Company took immediate action as soon as it became aware of the violation: "It is important that the negligence at Hukkajoki river in Kainuu came to light. Even the best rule and the most important principle is worthless if it is not applied in practice. We have already initiated a number of changes to ensure that nothing like this can happen again," says Hans Sohlström. Stora Enso has suspended harvesting in all areas throughout Finland where there are restrictions under the Water Act, the Forest Act or the Nature Conservation Act. Harvesting has been suspended until the operational guidelines, harvesting plans and risks related to these sites have been reassessed. Any non-compliance that may be detected will be assessed in cooperation with the authorities.

FSC celebrates the entry into force of the European Union's Nature Restoration Law, a major step forward in the effort to restore and protect Europe's forests and natural ecosystems. Effective from 18 August 2024, the Nature Restoration Law sets forth ambitious goals to restore degraded ecosystems throughout Europe. "The implementation of the Nature Restoration Law marks a significant development in Europe’s commitment to environmental stewardship. It represents a significant move towards addressing habitat loss, strengthening ecosystems, and fostering long-term environmental resilience," says Anand Punja, Chief Engagement and Partnerships Officer at FSC International. This landmark legislation is designed to enhance biodiversity, mitigate climate change, and ensure the preservation of Europe’s natural landscapes for future generations.

On Thursday 15 August, an environmental incident was discovered at a Stora Enso harvesting site in Kainuu, Finland, and the incident is being investigated as an aggravated nature conservation offence. Forestry machinery has crossed a river where there is a population of the highly endangered freshwater pearl mussel. Stora Enso takes the matter extremely seriously. The authorities and the company have strict responsibility requirements and comprehensive guidelines for the consideration of freshwater pearl mussel in harvesting operations. Stora Enso is cooperating with the police and other authorities to find out what happened at Hukkajoki. As a result of this and our own investigation, our guidelines and procedures will be refined to ensure that everyone involved in harvesting in valuable natural areas is aware of them in the future. This applies both to Stora Enso employees and to our partners, such as contractors and forest owners.

The EUDR requires European companies to ensure that their supply chains are deforestation free. It applies to commodities such as cocoa, palm oil, soy, rubber, timber, coffee and cattle, as well as various derived products. The extensive requirements of the EUDR necessitate the collection, processing and preparation of significant amounts of data. osapiens, a leading ESG platform and provider of compliance and sustainability reporting solutions, has developed the osapiens HUB for EUDR, an end-to-end solution that enables organisations to achieve EUDR compliance with maximum automation. PEFC-certified organisations will benefit from the comprehensive features of the osapiens HUB at a special rate. This platform supports companies in maintaining transparent and sustainable supply chains, aligning with PEFC’s rigorous certification standards.

Illegal logging has devastating consequences for natural habitats and the climate. Research by the University of Leeds, in partnership with World Land Trust, highlights the significant environmental damage caused by illegal logging, including the release of vast amounts of stored carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. In Vietnam specifically - but also in the other three Carbon Balanced-supported World Land Trust projects (Guatemala, Ecuador and Mexico) - illegal logging remains an ever-present threat to both biodiversity and local communities. In Vietnam, illegal logging releases up to 130,000 metric tons of CO2 annually, harming both local ecosystems and contributing to climate change. For example, the Dong Chau-Khe Nuoc Trong forest in Vietnam is home to over 40 vulnerable animal species, including nine endangered and ten critically endangered species, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

FSC publishes two new Forest Stewardship Standards that will further promote sustainable forest management in Chile. The standards both become effective on 15 December 2024. The two published standards include FSC Forest Stewardship Standard for Chile Plantations and FSC Forest Stewardship Standard for Chile Native Forests. These versions of the FSC Forest Stewardship Standards each apply to all ownership types (public, private or other) and all categories of Management Units (including small or low intensity managed forests (SLIMF)). They also include some non-timber forest products.

“With this new standard, we are fostering the harmonisation of requirements for certification bodies, ensuring consistency in the implementation of PEFC sustainable forest management certification worldwide,” highlighted Marta Martinez Pardo, Certification Programme Senior Manager. As the first of its kind, ST 1004 combines benchmark and international requirements. It sets up international requirements that PEFC national members will adopt within their systems, to be implemented directly by certification bodies. This will bring consistency to PEFC forest management audits conducted around the world.

Amcor announced the publication of its Decarbonization Roadmap to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Amcor’s targets are aligned with the latest climate science aiming to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius and validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Amcor’s Decarbonization Roadmap features “4 + 1” focus areas: 1. Product redesign: Innovating Amcor's product designs to lower their carbon footprint. 2. Recycled content: Increasing the use of recycled materials in Amcor's packaging solutions. 3. Renewable electricity: Transitioning to renewable sources to power its operations. 4. Supply chain collaboration: Partnering closely with suppliers to ensure they meet high sustainability standards and align with Amcor's decarbonization targets. The "+1" area focuses on enhancing operational efficiency through actions such as improving water and waste management, boosting energy efficiency and upgrading equipment.

FSC is revising the Chain of Custody Standards and the corresponding accreditation standard. These standards ensure that products which are sold with an FSC claim originate from well-managed forests, controlled sources, reclaimed materials, or a mixture of these. For more information, please visit the process page and the revision page. The standards included in this consultation are the following: *FSC-STD-40-004 Chain of Custody Certification *FSC-STD-40-007 Sourcing Reclaimed Material for use in FSC Product Groups or FSC Certified Projects *FSC-STD-40-003 Chain of Custody Certification of Multiple Sites *FSC-PRO-40-003 Development of National Group Chain of Custody Eligibility Criteria. As part of the conceptual phase, FSC is conducting a public consultation and would like to invite interested stakeholders to participate. In this conceptual phase, key topics that are proposed to be addressed during the revision and questions for consideration will be included.

Recyclability is a crucial aspect of packaging design, referring to the ease with which a material or product can be recycled. This concept differs from recycling, which involves the act of converting waste into new materials. Factors that can impact recyclability include low fibre content, coatings and barriers, inks, varnishes, adhesives, and more. Designing for recyclability is essential in creating a circular economy and has gained significant importance in recent years as businesses and consumers alike strive for sustainable practices.

Engage with industry leaders, explore innovative practices, and deepen your understanding of sustainability in printing. Learn more and register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-sustainability-summit-tickets-946355724447?aff=BODemail

International technology group ANDRITZ has received an order to supply a dry fiberboard recycling line to Sonae Arauco’s mill in Mangualde, Portugal. The line will recycle end-of-life fiberboards back into valuable fibers as new raw material for fiberboard production. It will be the first industrial-scale fiberboard recycling line in the world. Paulo Pinto De Sousa, Director at Sonae Arauco, says: “Recycling fiberboards is an important step towards a circular economy. It reduces the consumption of natural resources and energy. We know ANDRITZ as a strong supplier of solutions for the fiberboard industry and are convinced that they are the right partner for our innovative fiberboard recycling project.”

Toilet paper and paper towels are common staples in the home. Millions of people across the U.S. rely on paper products. Our industry prioritizes sustainable manufacturing and practices. Below we answer common questions about toilet paper and paper towels. Dive in and explore why they are a responsible choice. How are Toilet Paper and Paper Towels Made in the U.S.? The U.S. tissue industry uses 2 primary inputs to make toilet paper and paper towels.

Graphic Packaging International (“Graphic Packaging” or the “Company”), a global leader in sustainable consumer packaging, today announced it has entered into a virtual Power Purchase Agreement (“vPPA”) in Europe with Zelestra, a client-focused, multi-technology, global renewable energy company.The vPPA supports Zelestra in adding renewable electricity to the European power grid and advances Graphic Packaging’s commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions by receiving renewable energy attribute certificates[1] generated by the project. The renewable electricity generated by two of Zelestra’s solar projects to be built in Spain – José Cabrera and Socovos II – will have a combined total capacity of 83 megawatts (MWdc). Graphic Packaging expects to receive renewable energy attribute certificates1 corresponding to approximately 86 percent of the solar projects’ output. The agreement is a strategic component in achieving Graphic Packaging’s science-based target to reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 50.4 percent by 20322. It will increase the Company’s purchased renewable electricity in Europe to approximately 70 percent.

International Paper (IP) reaffirms its dedication to conserving forest ecosystems, nature and biodiversity with a $15.3 million investment to renew strategic alliances with key conservation partners, including the American Forest Foundation (AFF), National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and World Wildlife Fund (WWF). These collaborations are pivotal to IP's business strategy and Vision 2030 goal to conserve and restore 1 million acres of ecologically significant forestland. "International Paper's success depends on the sustainability of forests – and so does the future of our planet," said Sophie Beckham, vice president and chief sustainability officer, International Paper. "Renewing these strategic partnerships underscores our commitment to positively impact nature while delivering low-carbon, sustainable, fiber-based products to our customers."

IPG has issued its 2023 sustainability report, highlighting the company’s achievements and strengthening its future commitments to create a positive impact. The report, titled 'Safe, Circular and Responsible,' features IPG's continuing focus on responsible manufacturing, environmental stewardship, and the well-being of its workforce by providing a detailed account of IPG’s sustainability efforts and opportunities for improvement. "IPG is a leading provider of packaging and protective solutions, and an invaluable partner to its customers in diverse end-markets. Sustainability is central to our strategy and is a key pillar in the design of our products, conduct of our operations, and the safety and engagement of our teammates," said Pete Durette, CEO of IPG. "While not easy, our efforts to provide increasingly sustainable products to our customers are both reducing our environmental impact and improving our social impacts, and we look forward to continuing our progress on these commitments in 2024. Our employees, suppliers and customers are vital partners in our efforts, and we thank them for their continued support and partnership."

As people across the globe become more aware of environmental issues, the desire for green products and services is growing. But with all the environmentally friendly claims made around products these days, how can consumers know which claims are accurate and which fall into the category of greenwashing? According to the Ecolabel Index, there are currently 456 ecolabels in the marketplace, each claiming some sort of sustainability-related benefit associated with a product or service. Consumers are enticed by claims that products are eco-friendly, organic, natural and green, and the number of products purporting these claims is increasing. With eco credentials proliferating and corporations looking to capitalize on sustainability, the practice of greenwashing — making exaggerated, unsubstantiated or outright false claims to convince consumers a product is environmentally friendly — is becoming more common.

The Navigator Company reaffirms its commitment to promoting efficiency in the use of resources with sustainable investments which, over the last 18 months, have totalled around 164 million euros, around 60% of the total amount allocated. The investment mainly includes projects aimed at decarbonisation, modernising equipment and improving efficiency. These include the new Recovery Boiler in Setúbal - which will reduce direct fossil carbon dioxide emissions by around 136,000 tonnes per year, equivalent to a quarter of the Group's emissions in 2022; the new Tower and Washing Presses in Aveiro; the new biomass Lime Kiln in Figueira da Foz; the conversion of the Lime Kiln in Setúbal to burn biomass; and the new Photovoltaic Plant in Figueira da Foz. In addition, the company has invested in sustainable packaging solutions. After launching a new line of packaging products at the end of 2021 under the gKraft™ brand, the company aims to develop innovative packaging solutions that replace current fossil-based plastic packaging with renewable, biodegradable, recyclable and carbon-neutral products based on endogenous raw materials from planted forests.

The report details meaningful accomplishments achieved in the past year driving continued progress towards the Company’s previously established sustainability goals and reinforces the unwavering commitment to the Company’s sustainability strategy and purposeful investments in its people, operations and product portfolio. Highlights from the report include: *Reinforcing its carbon emission reduction targets, including reducing Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions intensity by 50% by 2030 against a 2019 baseline and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and reducing Scope 3 carbon emissions by 9% by 2025 and 16% by 2030 against a 2021 baseline. *Commissioning of a 200MW solar project in South Africa, estimated to provide 40% of the Company’s total energy needs in the region and to result in an incremental 13% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions in 2024 relative to the 2019 baseline *Progressing the second largest renewable project in South Africa by entering into a long-term power purchase agreement with NOA Group for ~497GWh of renewable energy, which is expected to reduce Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by an incremental 12% globally, once fully implemented in 2027 *Reducing Scope 1 emissions and improving production efficiencies by implementing automated process controls (APCs) for chlorination to reduce coke consumption at the Company’s pigment plants.

FSC is terminating the Trademark License Agreement (TLA) of the eight certificate holders belonging to the Vinda group through a mutually agreed termination agreement. Hence, the Vinda group can no longer be associated with FSC because it was recently acquired by the Royal Golden Eagle (RGE) group. FSC disassociated from the RGE group, which includes APRIL, in August 2013. According to the mutual termination agreement: *The TLAs of all the Vinda certificate holders will be terminated effective 30 September 2024. Therefore, after the termination becomes effective, these companies can no longer produce products with FSC claims, and they cannot claim that they are FSC-certified. *The liquidation period of all FSC-labelled products produced up to and including 30 September 2024 may be sold with an FSC label until 31 December 2024. This means that Vinda can no longer sell products with FSC claims after this date. Vinda’s customers who bought products produced by Vinda as FSC-certified before the end of the liquidation period will be able to claim that they are FSC-certified without any time restrictions.

We developed this module standard to support organisations in demonstrating compliance with the European union Regulation on Deforestation Free Products (EUDR). Within the document, PEFC chain of custody certified organisations will find the steps they may follow to implement a Due Diligence System towards demonstrating EUDR compliance using the PEFC scheme. The standard applies to relevant products made with forest and materials and can be implemented on a voluntary basis, at the global level, by any organisation holding or applying for a PEFC recognised chain of custody certificate.

The ongoing war in Ukraine has contaminated certified forests with explosive objects. As a result, substantial areas have had to be excised from the scope of certification. To achieve this goal, the current Forest Stewardship Standard (FSS) for Ukraine has been updated (FSC-STD-UKR-01.1-2024) to include criteria for excising contaminated areas as well as specific, nationally adapted indicators and verifiers. Those requirements are based on the scenario presented in Clause 2.2 of the FSC Policy on the Excision of Areas from the Scope of Certification. After the initial registration of the process by the Performance and Standards Unit of FSC (PSU) in March 2023, the Standard Development Group developed an updated draft in consultation with forestry authorities, the Ministry of Defense, the State Emergency Service, and other relevant bodies. The Policy Steering Group approved the updated FSS in June 2024.

Tree planting, or reforestation, is one of the many solutions to climate change due to the ability of trees to sequester substantial amounts of carbon as they grow. Governments worldwide are backing ambitious initiatives, encouraging people to donate time and money to reforestation projects. However, many tree planting projects designed to offset carbon emissions have faced criticism for failing to create sustainable forests. Numerous reforestation efforts have ended in failure. Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley found that a large-scale government-organized tree planting project in Northern California had insignificant impact on carbon sequestration or tree cover. Similarly, a study by the Nature Conservancy questioned the environmental benefits of a government-funded tree-planting program in Mexico, concluding that forest loss rates were higher in states implementing the plan than in those that did not. In the Philippines, the National Greening Program was deemed a failure by its own government, achieving only a fraction of its intended forest cover increase.

In 2023, Sappi Europe’s Kirkniemi Mill in Lohja, Finland successfully transitioned to renewable biomass energy, reducing its Scope 1 emissions, direct emissions from Sappi’s own operations, by 90%. Building on the significant investment made to Kirkniemi’s energy systems, clean electricity is now also being supplied to the mill, eliminating scope 2, indirect emissions. These efforts have led to a 55% overall reduction in the carbon footprint of Sappi’s Galerie paper range, which is estimated to reach a remarkable 70% by the end of the year. This transformation is among nearly 80 projects outlined in Sappi Europe’s decarbonisation roadmap, a blueprint that will see the company’s energy-related sustainability targets through to 2025. This also closely aligns with Sappi’s science-based targets for 2030.

FSC is pleased to announce the official publication of the new FSC Forest Stewardship Standard for Peru, which covers all categories of Management Units in natural forests and plantations, including small and low intensity managed forests, as well as Non-Timber Forest Products. This standard, effective October 15, 2024, not only focuses on productive management, but also encompasses conservation management and forest restoration. Peru, being a country rich in natural forests, has a territory where almost 60% is covered by forests (Ministry of Environment (MINAM), 2024), covering a total area of 82,543,385 hectares as of 2019. These forests include Amazonian forests (94.2%), dry forests (4.7%) and Andean forests (1.1%), with a diversity of 42 types of forests on the coast, highlands and jungle, each with its own unique richness. These ecosystems are fundamental to Peru and the world, providing invaluable benefits such as natural resources, water and food, as well as playing a crucial role in stabilizing the climate and environment. They are also the home and livelihood of indigenous communities, representing a great potential for the development of sustainable productive initiatives that generate well-being for the people who live in them.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is pleased to announce its renewed partnership with world geospatial company, Esri. This is the third year of a large-scale collaboration aimed at integrating cutting-edge technology to advance global sustainable forest management. FSC has tapped into Esri’s in-kind support to bolster efforts to build out a comprehensive map of certified forests worldwide. In addition to increasing technological access for forest managers, it has enhanced monitoring of deforestation. “If you can’t map the forest, you can’t measure or track it,” says Scot McQueen, FSC’s Senior Technology Officer, who spearheaded the FSC-Esri partnership and recruited Esri to FSC’s Technology Consortium. Building on past successes, this ongoing collaboration will support FSC’s solutions for forest managers as they prepare to comply with the European Union Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR), set to take effect later this year. EUDR mandates comprehensive reporting requirements for forest-based products entering the market from late December 2024, including the need for geospatial data, traceability, and risk assessments.

Stakeholders from around the world are invited to give feedback on the Austrian Forest Certification System. Deadline for comments is 6 September. Give your feedback. PEFC Austria revised the country’s national forest certification system to ensure its forest management standard is up-to-date and continues to meet stakeholder demands and expectations. The Austrian system was submitted to PEFC after being revised in line with PEFC requirements. The system is now undergoing the PEFC assessment process, carried out by an independent PEFC Registered Assessor. It must pass this assessment to maintain its PEFC endorsement. An important aspect of the assessment process is the public consultation. Over the sixty-day consultation, stakeholders from around the world can give their comments and provide feedback on any aspect of the system. The Registered Assessor will use the information received from this consultation in their assessment of the system.

If you have an interest in packaging policy or sustainable packaging, you have likely heard the term “EPR” or “extended producer responsibility.” But what exactly is EPR, and how will it ultimately affect the types of packaging we use? In this Deep Dive, we will explore the current EPR landscape in the U.S. and what is likely to come over the next several years. A note of caution: this article is intended as a general overview of packaging EPR with some basic advice for companies trying to navigate the new legislative landscape. It should not be taken as legal advice, and we highly recommend that companies who think they are regulated “producers” seek legal counsel to better understand their responsibilities. Introduction to EPR - Extended Producer Responsibility, or EPR, refers to a policy approach that shifts the responsibility for waste management of a given product from consumers/taxpayers and municipalities onto the producers of that product. Typically, the main goal of EPR is to minimize the environmental externalities of a product’s end of life – that is, minimize the unintended consequence of what happens to a product when we’re done with it. EPR prompts a society to start thinking on a large scale about where products end up when we’re done with them and how we can better manage them. EPR regulations are not new to the U.S. and have been around for over a decade to manage products like e-waste, mattresses, paint, tires, batteries, etc. Let’s take the example of paint. “Producers,” meaning paint manufacturers, are typically responsible for the paint up until the point where you, the consumer, purchase it. But there are some unintended consequences that come when you’re done with that paint can that likely has extra paint in it. While most paint is actually recyclable, many people throw it away or pour it down the drain, which can contaminate the environment with hazardous chemicals. Ultimately, consumers/taxpayers and the environment pay the costs to deal with this result, and paint companies don’t have an incentive to fix it.

The webinar focused on the advances we have made in aligning our sustainable forest management and chain of custody standards with EUDR requirements and looked at the vital data and integrity elements. Our PEFC experts Marta Martínez Pardo (Chain of Custody), Rob Shaw (Data and Integrity), Hubert Inhaizer (Sustainable Forest Management), and Maja Drca (EU Affairs) discussed PEFC's agile approach to aligning with EUDR guidelines by the end of the year. Marta introduced the PEFC EUDR Due Diligence System which is currently undergoing approval by the PEFC General Assembly and is expected to be finalised by late July. Rob discussed PEFC's strategy on data management. Hubert addressed the modification proposals to PEFC's Sustainable Forest Management standard, developed for harmonisation with EU frameworks like the EUDR.

A new standard for Poland updates guidance for forest management. It focuses on the protection of rare ecosystems and old-growth forests. Labour rights for forest workers will help to ensure social benefits for forest communities. Overall, the new standard seeks to keep Poland’s forests and all the resources they provide sustainable into the future. The standard becomes effective on 1 October 2024. About one third of Poland is forested, and just over 80 per cent of that is in public ownership. These forests are rich in biodiversity as well as being home to iconic species such as European bison, brown bear, lynx, and wolves. FSC certification has guided forest management in Poland for more than 25 years, but the FSC National Forest Management Standard needed to be brought up to date to reflect the FSC International Principles and Criteria.

Stakeholders from around the world are invited to give feedback on the Thai Forest Certification System. Deadline for comments is 31 August. Give your feedback. The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) revised the country’s national forest certification system to ensure its forest management standard is up-to-date and continues to meet stakeholder demands and expectations. The revised system also includes a new standard for Trees outside Forests (TOF) certification. The Thai system was submitted to PEFC after being revised in line with PEFC requirements. The system is now undergoing the PEFC assessment process, carried out by an independent PEFC Registered Assessor. It must pass this assessment to maintain its PEFC endorsement.

The FSC Regulatory Module and FSC Risk Assessment Framework comprise FSC Aligned Certification for EUDR, along with system-wide updates to operationalize these changes and align with the intention of the Policy to Address Conversion. The launch of these requirements ensures that our certification system remains robust and relevant in the evolving regulatory landscape. The Risk Assessment Framework and other system-wide changes are also applicable for Certificate Holders not affected by EUDR. This new voluntary add-on module FSC-STD-01-004 FSC Regulatory Module supports EUDR compliance by providing additional requirements for Forest Management, Chain of Custody, and Controlled Wood Certification as well as accreditation requirements. It is designed to help companies use their FSC certification to meet EUDR’s stringent requirements by taking the guesswork out of what is required on top of FSC certification. The module outlines robust due diligence systems, conducting thorough risk assessments with FSC’s Risk Assessment Framework, and maintaining transparent supply chain documentation.

The two organisations have combined their expertise in satellite analytics and modular chain of custody to devise a program that guides PEFC-certified companies to EUDR compliance using a customised version of LiveEO’s EUDR platform, TradeAware. Companies can sign up today to join the program and start their compliance journey. As one of the pioneering partnerships tackling EUDR compliance, LiveEO and PEFC are establishing a new standard for innovative and reliable EUDR solutions for timber and tree-based products. By enhancing transparency in supply chains, affected companies significantly reduce the risk of illegal activities, supply chain disruptions, and non-compliance. Companies signed up for the program will be guided through key preparatory steps, including collecting geolocations and onboarding suppliers to the TradeAware platform, to ensure compliance readiness well ahead of the deadline. As part of the partnership, LiveEO develops a customised version of its EUDR platform TradeAware, that is specifically tailored to the needs of PEFC-certified organisations.

The Austrian Forest Certification System has been submitted to PEFC for assessment. The public consultation, which is your chance to give your feedback on this revised system, will run from 8 July to 6 September 2024. PEFC Austria revised the country’s national forest certification system to ensure its forest management standard is up-to-date and continues to meet stakeholder demands and expectations. To provide you with additional information about this revised system, we are holding a webinar on 8 July 2024 at 10:00 CEST.

The Thai Forest Certification System has been submitted to PEFC for assessment. The public consultation, which is your chance to give your feedback on this revised system, will run from 2 July to 31 August 2024. The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) revised the country’s national forest certification system to ensure its forest management standard is up-to-date and continues to meet stakeholder demands and expectations. The revised system also includes a new standard for Trees outside Forests (TOF) certification. To provide you with additional information about this revised system, we are holding a webinar on 2 July 2024 at 8:00 CET.

Generation Z and Millennial consumers are more likely to pay a premium for products that are legitimately sustainable in some way, from materials to packaging to delivery. The third annual Consumer Sustainability Survey from Blue Yonder, a digital supply chain platform, confirms that sustainability remains a priority for all consumers. However, younger shoppers are more definitive and consistent in their choices, with 85% of Gen Z and 84% of Millennials reporting that sustainability considerations are important to them. “It’s especially promising that so many respondents are willing to spend more for sustainable products, given that price concerns, exacerbated by the ongoing challenge of inflation, have marked conversations around consumer behavior over the last year,” said Saskia van Gendt, Blue Yonder’s chief sustainability officer, in a statement.

FSC is pleased to announce the official publication of the new FSC Forest Stewardship Standard for Argentina. The standard becomes effective on 1 October 2024. The standard is applicable to all categories of Management Units operating in native forests and plantations, applies to small and low intensity managed forests and includes non-timber forest products. In addition to productive management, it is applicable to conservation and forest restoration management. Forests are important for the national economy of Argentina due to the social, environmental and economic benefits it provides. This includes of 1.3 million hectares of forest plantations and 28 million hectares of native forests, of which more than 80% correspond to the Tropical Climate Region (FAO FRA 2020).

Stakeholders from around the world are invited to give feedback on the Croatian Forest Certification System. Deadline for comments is 16 August. Give your feedback. This is the first time that CUPFOA, the Croatian Union of Private Forest Owners Associations, the PEFC national member for Croatia, has submitted its national system to PEFC for endorsement. After developing the national system in line with PEFC requirements, CUPFOA submitted the system to PEFC for endorsement. The national system is now undergoing the PEFC assessment process, carried out by an independent PEFC Registered Assessor. It must pass this process and be approved by the PEFC General Assembly before it can achieve endorsement. An important aspect of the assessment process is the public consultation. Over the sixty-day consultation, stakeholders from around the world can give their comments and provide feedback on any aspect of the system. The Registered Assessor will use the information received from this consultation in their assessment of the system.

National Book Tokens, the UK’s leading book gift card retailer, has partnered with Love Paper for their Love Paper 2024 Competition. This partnership will inform consumers of the sustainable facts about paper, books and wider paper products. Love Paper, a campaign run by the not-for-profit organisation Two Sides, promotes the sustainability and attractiveness of print, paper and paper-based packaging. The Love Paper competition invites consumers to learn the facts about paper and the environment. National Book Tokens’ partnership with Love Paper aligns with its commitment to supporting the literary community and promoting environmentally-conscious practices.

NeoLigno® by Stora Enso is a bio-based binder, ideal for mineral and glass wool. By changing to a binder made from renewable materials you can decrease your carbon footprint, while removing harmful formaldehyde and isocyanates from your loop. Phasing out fossils is not only about meeting industry standards and regulations. Harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde and isocyanates used in traditional binders are widely present in our homes, workplaces, and schools. Invisible to the naked eye, they are in our walls in the insulation, risking our health while having a negative impact on the environment. For producers of insulation material there is a sustainable option ready in industrial scale. NeoLigno® is a natural binder, perfect for production of insulation materials in the building industry. Bio-based with superior mechanical strength and suitable for humid conditions, it is made from Lignin – a side stream of the pulp industry typically utilised as bioenergy – already being produced in millions of tonnes across Europe.

We were lucky to have LIVE EO, Osapiens and TimberID as gold sponsors at the PEFC Forest Forum, and Timbeter as a silver sponsor. At the conference, the sponsors met with PEFC members and international stakeholders to demonstrate and explain their technology solutions for EUDR compliance. Thanks go to Alberta Zatta and João Diogo, Michael Frank, Swapan Chaudhuri, and Anna-Greta Tsahkna! PEFC is working towards partnerships with all these companies, with our first announcement due soon on our plans with LIVE EO. LIVE EO, Osapiens and TimberID have end-to-end software solutions for EUDR compliance which include Earth Observation checks for deforestation and degradation, data sharing capability and Due Diligence Statement functionality.

FSC International will not withdraw from Myanmar according to a decision taken by the Board of Directors in March 2024 at the 98th Board Meeting. Further, in accordance with their decision, new certificates will not be issued in the country unless FSC’s core labour requirements are diligently implemented and audited. FSC International’s Board also agreed to suspend the Trademark License Agreement (TLA) of all certificate holders managed by Bureau Veritas – an accredited certification body. At the 98th Board Meeting, the FSC International Board of Directors reviewed the findings of two FSC-commissioned investigations conducted by FSC’s assurance partner, Assurance Services International (ASI). Investigations carried out by ASI in 2023 revealed the following: *Workers’ conditions in certificate holders are no better than those in non-certified companies. *Certification bodies are not adequately assessing certificate holders’ compliance with labour requirements. *Certificate holders have been issued with non-conformities with respect to freedom of association, protection of workers’ rights to organize, and forced labour.

Stakeholders from around the world are invited to give feedback on the Lithuanian Forest Certification System. Deadline for comments is 10 August. Give your feedback. This is the first time the Center of Sustainable Forest Management (CSFM), the PEFC national member for Lithuania, has submitted its national system to PEFC for endorsement. After developing the national system in line with PEFC requirements, CSFM submitted the system to PEFC for endorsement. The national system is now undergoing the PEFC assessment process, carried out by an independent PEFC Registered Assessor. It must pass this process and be approved by the PEFC General Assembly before it can achieve endorsement.

This weekend, the New York State Legislature concluded its session without passing the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act. While the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) supports efforts to improve recycling, the legislation lacked provisions to ensure it would not negatively impact highly recycled materials like paper and paper-based packaging. We look forward to continuing discussions that ensure paper-based packaging recycling remains a viable and sustainable option for New Yorkers.

Exlfilmplus PCR is a multilayered clear polyolefin film that incorporates post-consumer recycled content. Its versatility allows it to excel on all sealing systems and tunnels. Whether you’re packaging club store multi-packs or food products, Exlfilmplus PCR is the ideal choice for environmentally conscious customers seeking a circular and sustainable shrink packaging solution.

Our webinar will focus on the advances we have made in aligning our sustainable forest management and chain of custody standards with EUDR requirements, as well as looking at the vital data and integrity elements. Our PEFC experts will give you a behind the scenes look at the progress of our working groups and task forces, working tirelessly to ensure we will have practical solutions in place to enable you to successfully implement EUDR. Once we’ve heard from our experts, we’ll open the webinar up to the audience for questions and answers. The PEFC Alliance has made strong progress on our EUDR rollout over the last few months, and we are looking forward to sharing the details with you, as we all move forward on this EUDR journey together.

It’s been an eventful year since the Sappi Chair in Climate Change and Plantation Sustainability was launched at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). As we celebrate another World Environment Day on 05 June the Forestry team at Wits reflects on a year of significant progress, characterised by collaboration and dialogue. Under the guidance of Professor Mary Scholes - an internationally recognised authority on tree physiology and climate change- the team has pioneered research and capacity-building initiatives that equip the forestry industry to navigate the challenges of climate change. With the southern hemisphere’s winter heralding a forecast of scant rainfall, the insights provided by the Wits Research Chair to the forestry industry on El Nino impacts and the risk of increased wildfire prevalence in the 2024 fire season in South Africa’s plantation regions, is just one of the crucial areas where this research is proving to be invaluable.

Flint Group is pleased to announce that its 2030 carbon reduction targets have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The business is working towards a 46.2% reduction in scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 2030 versus their 2019 baseline. The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a collaboration between CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project), the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The SBTi defines and promotes best practice in science-based target setting and independently assesses companies’ targets. Matthew Rowland-Jones, Sustainability Officer at Flint Group, said: “We are delighted that our 2030 carbon reduction targets have been approved by the SBTi. This validation represents significant work across the business to develop a detailed plan to reduce emissions and combat climate change. Carbon reduction forms part of ‘PRISM’, our vision and strategy for long-term sustainability. PRISM splits the broader topic of sustainability into the three core areas where we can make the biggest impact, ‘Product, Planet and People’.

Kimberly-Clark published its annual sustainability report, including an update on the company's progress toward its 2030 sustainability goals and a new ambition to be 100% Natural Forest Free across its portfolio beyond 2030. Over the past decade, the company has made significant investments in developing more sustainable products as part of the company's innovation strategy and focus on delivering products with enhanced consumer benefits while striving to lower its environmental footprint. "Sustainability is woven into the fabric of our 152-year-old company's innovation strategy and purpose, serving as a guiding principle across every facet of our operations," said Mike Hsu, Chairman and CEO at Kimberly-Clark. "I am proud of our team's commitment to our purpose of Better Care for a Better World, focusing on where we believe we can make the biggest impact."

The Croatian Forest Certification Scheme has been submitted to PEFC for assessment. The public consultation, which is your chance to give your feedback on this new system, will run from 17 June to 16 August 2024. This is the first time that CUPFOA, the Croatian Union of Private Forest Owners Associations, the PEFC national member for Croatia, has submitted its national system to PEFC for endorsement. To provide you with additional information about this new national system, we are holding a webinar on 17 June at 10:00 CEST.

Stora Enso has partnered with Altris, a Swedish developer of sodium-ion batteries. The two companies aim to further advance the development and commercialisation of a sustainable battery value chain in Europe. Together, the two companies will drive the adaptation of Stora Enso’s hard carbon solution Lignode® as an anode material in Altris’ sodium-ion battery cells. Lignode® by Stora Enso is a sustainable hard carbon derived from lignin, a product from the manufacturing of pulp, to be used as an anode material in both lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries. It serves as a more sustainable alternative to current incumbent anode solutions. In addition to its sustainability benefits, lignin makes up 20-30% of a tree, which makes it abundantly available already today. Lignin being a by-product from pulp manufacturing ensures a stable and consistent raw material supply for anode material manufacturing. Lignode is developed in Stora Enso’s pilot plant in Kotka, Finland. Stora Enso is currently upgrading the plant from a technical point of view.

Tetra Pak launches its 25th Sustainability Report, which tracks the progress the company has made against its sustainability agenda. It focuses on five interdependent areas: food systems, circularity, climate, nature and social sustainability. Launching on the United Nations’ World Environment Day on 5 June, the company’s Sustainability Report FY233 shows a 20% reduction in value chain4 GHG emissions and a 47% reduction in GHG emissions across its own operations since 2019. The latter puts Tetra Pak on track to meet its target of net zero GHG emissions in its own operations by 20305 and supports the company’s long-term ambition to work together with suppliers, customers and other stakeholders and achieve net-zero GHG emissions across the value chain by 2050.6 Another major milestone saw the launch of an aseptic beverage carton featuring a paper-based barrier, reducing its carbon footprint by a third (33%)7 and bringing the company a step closer to developing the world’s most sustainable food package.8 This world-first was a result of a €100 million investment in packaging research and development in 2023, with the same investment planned annually for the next five to ten years.

Since 2014, Trioworld in Germany has been working with the initiative ERDE, Erntekunststoffe Recycling Deutschland, a German collecting system for crop plastics in Europe. Trioworld now receives the ERDE Climate Protection Certificate for the collection and recycling of agricultural plastic in 2023. With a total of 645 collection points and 3147 mobile collections, ERDE is a well-established recovery concept that recently renewed its voluntary commitment to collect and recycle more than 75 % of all silage and stretch film placed on the German market by 2027. Trioworld has been certified with ERDE’s Climate Protection Certificate for the collection and recycling of silage film, stretch film, bale nets, baler twine, perforated film, mulch film, greenhouse film, asparagus film and nonwovens in 2023. The certificate quantifies the respective CO2 savings achieved during the year based on the collected and recycled quantity of all collection fractions and, for illustrative purposes, is converted to the number of trees that bind the corresponding quantities of CO2 per year.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is seeking candidates for a working group to revise its complaints and appeals procedures. The call for applicants is open until 12 July 2024. The working group will comprise of four (4) members who will be selected based on the following criteria: Experience in: *Developing operational non-judicial grievance and remediation mechanisms. *Managing complicated dispute cases. *Implementing alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. *Managing human rights and socio-environmental sustainability due diligence processes *Using the FSC complaints system or other relevant complaints systems as a party to a complaint. Knowledge in: *FSC’s normative framework, in particular its certification standards, Policy for Association, Remedy Framework, as well as the complaints mechanisms of the various actors in FSC’s certification system. *Measures to ensure equal access to complaints mechanisms according to the needs and challenges faced by users, in particular local forest communities and Indigenous Peoples. *The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. *Best practices on grievance and remediation mechanisms, including the establishment and use of ombuds services.

Guyana has become the latest country to achieve PEFC endorsement of its national forest certification system, enabling forest owners in the country to obtain PEFC certification. It is the 49th country that is covered by a PEFC-endorsed system, and the 5th in South America. Since the early 2000s, the Government of Guyana has maintained a national wood tracking system, enabling the traceability of timber and timber products from market to forest source. This system has now evolved into a national forest certification system, endorsed by PEFC International.

Paper products and packaging are part of our daily lives. From tissues and paper towels to the absorbent pulp in diapers to cardboard boxes to boxes that package medicine and food. Paper production requires resources like wood, recycled paper, water and energy. Here in the U.S., the paper industry is working hard to find ways to make production and our products more sustainable. We answered some common questions about the U.S. paper industry and its environmental impact. Dive in to explore how our industry is committed to sustainable manufacturing practices. Does the U.S. Paper Industry Contribute to Deforestation? How Does the U.S. Paper Industry Source its Wood Responsibly? How Much Water is Used, and What Happens to it After Papermaking?

Stakeholders from around the world are invited to give feedback on the Turkish Forest Certification System. Deadline for comments is 2 August. Give your feedback. This is the first time the Association for Sustainable Forest Management, Forest Product and Services Certification (SOYDER), the PEFC national member for Turkey, has submitted its national system to PEFC for endorsement. After developing the national system in line with PEFC requirements, SOYDER submitted the system to PEFC for endorsement. The national system is now undergoing the PEFC assessment process, carried out by an independent PEFC Registered Assessor. It must pass this process and be approved by the PEFC General Assembly before it can achieve endorsement.

As society rallies to combat climate change, companies and organizations spanning all sectors have spurred into action, reevaluating and revitalizing their sustainability strategies to curb their carbon footprint. Among the widespread green initiatives sweeping across industries, a notable trend involves substituting plastic materials with an eco-friendly alternative sourced from trees to form biodegradable pulp products. Pulp is raw material derived from the natural fibers of trees and plants and recycled materials like paper, cardboard, and newspapers. From a sustainability standpoint, the allure of biodegradable pulp is undeniable, as it is recyclable and compostable. Because of its superiority in reducing environmental impact, new doors to sustainability have been opened in comparison to plastic or Styrofoam, which takes hundreds of years to decompose. Biodegradable pulp products also have many other advantages that differentiate them from other eco-friendly alternatives, such as reducing energy consumption and shipping costs. They can accomplish this by producing robust, lightweight products that can withstand the same amount of pressure with a lighter material.

AptarGroup, Inc. released its 2023 Corporate Sustainability / Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) Report entitled Progress Takes Shape. Aptar’s report highlights key milestones of its global sustainability strategy across the company’s global operations focused on three key pillars: *Care – operating with care for employees, communities and the environment by continuously improving our impact and reducing our footprint; *Collaboration – innovating alongside customers, suppliers, industry coalitions and nonprofits to enable progress toward their goals – as well as for better outcomes for people and our planet; and *Circularity – helping the industry advance system-scale change that will benefit people today and for generations to come by addressing climate change and the waste crisis. “Our keen focus on ESG, both in the way we run our business and in the solutions we provide, affords us a strong competitive advantage. Our solid ESG credentials and reputation serve as powerful assets. We are a company that stakeholders want to engage with, and our employees are proud to work for,” said Stephan B. Tanda, Aptar President and CEO.

In today’s world, where environmental concerns are increasingly critical, sustainable practices have emerged as a source of hope for the future of our planet. The Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) stands out as a world leader in promoting sustainable forest management and sets the standards that ensure that forests are managed in an environmentally friendly, socially beneficial, and economically viable manner. This story explores the crucial role that sustainable forest management plays in preserving and protecting ecosystems in the Cotopaxi area of Ecuador. Aglomerados Cotopaxi is a company in the forestry industry that shows us an inspiring example of environmental management. This 45-year-old company has always worked towards environmental sustainability and, along with FSC certification, their existing sustainable practices have been deepened and improved. They show their commitment to protecting the major ecosystems that extend in and around their forest plantations, and ensure that the delicate balance of their forests remains intact. In addition, they understand the importance of preserving biodiversity, allowing the thriving of plant and animal species that call these ecosystems home. Moreover, the company actively engages with local communities, forging meaningful partnerships that nurture both the environment and the livelihoods of the people intertwined with it.

The Lithuanian Forest Certification Scheme has been submitted to PEFC for assessment. The public consultation, which is your chance to give your feedback on this new system, will run from 11 June to 10 August 2024. This is the first time the Center of Sustainable Forest Management (CSFM), the PEFC national member for Lithuania, has submitted its national system to PEFC for endorsement. Find out more about the national system. To provide you with additional information about this new national system, we are holding a webinar on 11 June at 9:00 CEST.

FSC published Advice Notes for Chain of Custody Certification on Annual Administration Fee and Controlled Forest Management (CFM) claim. The new Advice Notes related to Annual Administration Fee (AAF) calculation (ADVICE-40-004-25 & ADVICE-40-006-02) includes requirements for the organization to provide information to the certification body (CB) for Annual Administration Fee (AAF) calculation. Advice Notes related to the CFM claim in the Chain of Custody Certification are ADVICE-40-004-27 & ADVICE-40-006-03. These Advice Notes are available in the relevant Directives FSC-DIR-40-004 and FSC-DIR-40-006

Stakeholders from around the world are invited to give feedback on the Bulgarian Forest Certification System. Deadline for comments is 27 July. Give your feedback. The Council for Sustainable Forest Management and Certification in Bulgaria (CSFMCB) revised the country’s national forest certification system to ensure its forest management standard is up-to-date and continues to meet stakeholder demands and expectations. The Bulgarian system was submitted to PEFC after being revised in line with PEFC requirements. The system is now undergoing the PEFC assessment process, carried out by an independent PEFC Registered Assessor. It must pass this assessment to maintain its PEFC endorsement.

Two Sides is excited to announce its newest member and supporter, Baumer hhs, a worldwide partner for adhesive application and quality assurance. For more than 35 years, everything at Baumer hhs has revolved around secure gluing and the goal of meeting the high demands imposed by their customers and a dynamic market. No matter whether you process cold glue or hot melt, or whether you want to verify the quality of your products with the help of sensors or cameras, you’ll find the right solution at Baumer hhs! “Sustainability is on everyone’s lips. We are only at the beginning of an exciting journey. But what does sustainability actually mean in a company like Baumer hhs? Well, we asked ourselves three questions on how can we be: economically sustainable for our customers in the market, socially sustainable for our employees and our environment, and ecologically sustainable for our company and the environment?

When the EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR) came into force in June 2023, FSC accelerated several existing projects to align our sustainable forestry standards with the EUDR requirements and develop the required technology solutions to ease compliance for companies. FSC Aligned for EUDR takes the complexity out of EUDR requirements and provides a robust solution to help certificate holders become compliant on time. Join us as we unveil this offering and how it will streamline your compliance journey. Get access to the FSC Aligned Certification for EUDR, supporting companies to fulfil their due diligence obligations. It includes the newly developed FSC Regulatory Module and FSC Risk Assessment Framework and enables EUDR alignment by leveraging FSC's robust system. Find out how to start implementation immediately.

Preparing to give your feedback on the proposed amendments to the PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard for EUDR alignment, but would like more information? We are holding a special information webinar, open to everyone, on 12 June, to introduce the proposed modifications and answer your questions. The PEFC SFM Working Group has added and amended a number of requirements to the PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard (ST 1003) to ensure that PEFC-certified raw material coming out of PEFC-certified forests is EUDR compliant.

A new offer within Tetra Pak’s broader sustainability portfolio, the ‘Factory Sustainable Solutions’ business offers Food and Beverage (F&B) producers a tailored blend of state-of-the-art technologies and leading plant integration capabilities. It seeks to support F&B producers in optimising energy and resource consumption, an important step in helping customers meet their sustainability ambitions and reduce operational costs. Traditionally reliant on fossil fuels and energy-intensive processes,1 F&B producers are under increasing pressure to optimise resources and increase energy generation from renewable sources. This comes amidst rising operational expenses, including the cost of raw materials, as well as new CO2 taxes and fees for wasted water. Finding solutions to these challenges will be key, with businesses looking to their supply chains and manufacturing processes to help achieve cost savings2.

Two of the most popular Two Sides resources, the Myths & Facts and Packaging Facts booklets, have been updated to take in the very latest research, facts and findings about paper and paper packaging, as well as the latest Trend Tracker report from Two Sides. The new Myths & Facts booklet explores nine common myths, from ‘European forests are shrinking’ to ‘Paper wastes precious resources’, before busting those myths by using a series of irrefutable facts. Meanwhile, the new Packaging Facts booklet sets out eight clear reasons why paper packaging is the natural choice for brand owners, retailers and consumers. Two Sides thanks Antalis, who supplied the paper for the print version of the new Myths & Facts booklet. In keeping with the booklet’s content, Antalis chose the recycled Cyclus Offset paper, which has exemplary sustainable credentials.

Paper bags are a common sight at grocery stores, clothing stores, and pharmacies. They’re also great for carrying your packed lunch. But have you ever wondered … can these paper bags be recycled? The answer is yes! Paper bags are widely accepted for recycling across the U.S. They are the only bags that are recyclable in curbside bins. This ease of recycling makes them a convenient choice. Recycling is a critical part of the paper industry’s manufacturing process. And recyclable paper products, like paper bags, are a key component of our circular value chain.

The Bulgarian Forest Certification System, the latest member of the Balkan Regional System, has been submitted to PEFC for assessment. The public consultation, which is your chance to give your feedback on this revised system, will run from 28 May to 27 July 2024. The Council for Sustainable Forest Management and Certification in Bulgaria (CSFMCB) revised the country’s national forest certification system to ensure its forest management standard is up-to-date and continues to meet stakeholder demands and expectations. This national system also joins Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Slovenia under the Balkan Regional System.

The preliminary results of the transaction verification (TV) loop on Vietnamese wood supply chains indicate that there are some potential discrepancies in transactions reported by the certificate holders included in this TV loop. Several suppliers declared fewer sales than the purchases reported by their customers. In May 2023, FSC and its assurance partner – Assurance Services International (ASI) – launched this TV loop to identify the volumes and species of certified wood harvested in Vietnam. Through this TV loop, FSC and ASI also aim to trace supply chains of raw materials used for wood pellets production. The original scope of the TV loop included 424 certificate holders – 368 chain of custody and 56 forest management certificates; they were requested to submit their transaction data for 2022. However, 17 certificate holders did not respond, and their certificates were suspended by their respective certification bodies, some of which were subsequently terminated.

For more than 125 years, IP has championed the sustainable management of natural resources. As part of its commitment to build a better future, IP advances its Vision 2030 goals and targets in order to deliver sustainable outcomes through our businesses. "Guided by Vision 2030, our sustainability framework, IP has continuously worked alongside customers and strategic partners to become a leader in renewable fiber-based solutions and to help facilitate a low carbon, circular economy," said Sophie Beckham, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, International Paper. International Paper reported pursuant to the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and also responded to CDP's (Carbon Disclosure Project) Climate Change, Forest and Water Security questionnaires to transparently disclose risks and opportunities in those core areas of sustainability.

Stakeholders globally are invited to give their feedback on the proposed amendments to the PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard (ST 1003) to achieve alignment with the EUDR requirements. Deadline for comments is 13 July 2024. To ensure that PEFC-certified raw material coming out of PEFC-certified forests is EUDR compliant, the PEFC SFM Working Group has added and amended a number of requirements to the PEFC Sustainable Forest Management standard (ST 1003). Now we need your feedback on these new and amended requirements. The public consultation is open now and you have until 13 July 2024 to give your comments. Please note, we will only accept comments on the new and amended requirements, any comments given on requirements outside this scope will not be considered.

Ahead of the United Nation’s International Day of Biodiversity on 22nd May, Tetra Pak has announced the launch of its ‘Approach to Nature’ - a comprehensive framework that defines the company’s contribution to halting and reversing nature loss and enhancing water security. The approach aligns with global targets, including those outlined in the Biodiversity Plan that calls for action to halt biodiversity loss and put nature on a path to recovery for the benefit of all life on earth.1 A report from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) shows that nature is deteriorating at rates unprecedented in human history, largely due to human activity.2 Global food systems are identified as the main drivers of nature loss,3 with wide-reaching impacts that threaten global economies, livelihoods and food security.4 Recognising this complex interdependency and building on a thorough evaluation of nature-related impacts and dependencies, Tetra Pak’s ambitious new ‘Approach to Nature’ aims to manage the impacts of the company’s value chain on nature and to support the restoration of ecosystems.5

By diverting paper from landfills and reintroducing it into the production cycle, recycling paper benefits the environment by conserving resources and reducing the need for virgin materials. This can lead to significantly reduced demand for timber from forests. The resulting recycle paper materials are used to produce everything from newspaper and tissue to cardboard and magazines – benefitting both the forests and you, the environmentally conscious individual. The production of paper from recycled fibers consumes considerably less energy and water compared to paper made from virgin materials. Recycling paper requires less processing, reducing the energy-intensive steps involved in harvesting, pulping, and bleaching raw wood pulp. Additionally, it conserves water resources by minimizing the need for extensive irrigation in forestry operations and the paper manufacturing process.

Finnish forest owners have enthusiastically welcomed the measures implementing Metsä Group’s regenerative forestry principles. Of wood trades completed during Metsä Group’s campaign in February–April 2024, approximately 40 per cent were agreed in accordance with the Metsä Group Plus management model. In terms of cubic volume of wood trades, the share was over 50 per cent during the campaign. Metsä Group’s parent company Metsäliitto Cooperative is owned by more than 90,000 Finnish forest-owners, who own around half of Finland’s private forests. The measures we carry out jointly with forest-owners significantly improve the natural state of forests. The Metsä Group Plus forest management model pays increasingly close attention to forest biodiversity and forest nature in the implementation of forest work. The model includes measures that improve the state of forest nature and are more comprehensive than current established practices and certificate requirements.

Two Sides has challenged over 2,650 organisations found to be communicating greenwashing messages to their customers. Over 1,180 organisations have, so far, removed misleading anti-paper statements. Economic pressures remain the driver for much of Greenwashing, and many organisations that have relied on paper to communicate with their customers are increasingly transitioning their customers from traditional paper-based services to digital platforms in a bid to reduce costs. The switch to digital is often justified by misleading and unsubstantiated environmental marketing messages such as; “Go Green – Go Paperless” or “Choose e-billing and help save a tree,” – but this is just Greenwashing.

Sonoco Products Company released its 2023 Corporate Sustainability Report which highlights progress made in support of its environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives. *Achieved 8% year-over-year (YOY) decrease in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions driven by projects across our facilities globally geared towards energy and emissions reduction *Continued our commitment to GHG reduction through a Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) with ENGINE *Co-founded the Poly Coated Paper Alliance (PCPA), an industry collaboration focused on widespread recycling of poly-coated paper in the U.S. *Redesigned our iconic stacked chip package to allow for greater recyclability *Introduced our EnviroFlex® Paper solution for curbside recyclable flexible packaging. *Launched our Doing Safety Differently initiative

As a leading provider of sustainable packaging solutions, we fully support the European Union’s aim of promoting packaging circularity and reducing the impact of packaging on the environment. To help our customers navigate new rules shaping the future of packaging in the EU, we have outlined the latest information on the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), its importance, objectives, and the differences between existing rules and the key measures proposed. What is the PPWR? Currently, the main regulatory framework for packaging and its end of life in the European Union is the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD), adopted in the 1990s and revised several times since. In 2022, the European Commission decided to take a more ambitious approach to packaging and packaging waste as part of the EU Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan. The EU’s aim is to further reduce the environmental impact of packaging in the context of its ambition to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

This spring, UPM launched a new service package, UPM Nature Management Services, to provide Finnish forest owners with more options to enhance biodiversity. The first nature management services to be offered are assisting forest owners in applying for an environmental subsidy and a controlled burning service. More new services will be available later this year. The environmental subsidy (Metka, forestry incentive scheme in Finland) allows forest owners to apply for compensation to protect a valuable habitat in their forest. UPM will help forest owners to determine the eligibility of the habitat and apply for the subsidy on their behalf. UPM also provides help with other conservation options such as METSO (voluntary conservation scheme for forest owners). Controlled burning, in turn, can provide habitats for species that have become endangered as a result of effective fire suppression. As part of this service, UPM investigates on behalf of the forest owner whether the forest stand is eligible for a Metka subsidy and prepares the application before the actual work. The service also includes the controlled burning itself.

A new study reveals compelling evidence that forests certified by the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) in Gabon and the Republic of Congo harbour a higher abundance of larger mammals and critically endangered species, such as gorillas and elephants, compared to non-FSC certified forests. The research was led by Utrecht University with support from WWF and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and was published in Nature on 10 April 2024. It underscores the effectiveness of measures implemented in FSC-certified forest concessions to safeguard wildlife. By meticulously counting individual animals and strategically positioning camera traps, the research conducted by Joeri Zwerts confirmed that certified concessions notably harbor a larger population of large mammals – 2.7 times more for mammals over 100 kg, such as gorillas and forests elephants, and 2.5 times more for mammals from 30–100 kg, such as leopards and chimpanzees – when compared to non-FSC-certified areas. In addition, the encounter rates observed of large mammals in FSC-certified forests were comparable to published data from recently monitored protected areas in the Congo Basin region.

World Land Trust is one of the most successful environmental organizations in the world, protecting vulnerable areas of land from deforestation and destruction. As a global non-profit that safeguards the world’s most threatened habitats and wildlife species, the success of World Land Trust (WLT) lies in the amount of land it protects, and in 2023, over 177,200 acres (71,710 hectares) were protected from deforestation and development. This brings the total amount of land saved since the charity’s foundation over 30 years ago to over 2.8 million acres – that’s equivalent to the size of Jamaica. WLT form partnerships with local environmental groups and NGOs, giving them the financial and technical assistance to protect and manage the protected areas. WLT understands the value of people who know the area and the importance it has in the lives of the communities that live there.

For two years, SCA has operated the world's first electric timber truck for timber transports between SCA’s timber terminal Gimonäs and Obbola paper mill. "It's going very well. We have also tried using the truck to collect timber in the forest, and it was a very successful trial. Therefore, we felt it was time to take the next step in electrifying our heavy transports together with Scania," says Mikael Sundelin, Head of Business Development at Industrial Supply, SCA Skog. "Our new electric timber truck has a better range and will drive to timber storage areas in the forest where it loads the timber for further transport to one of our timber terminals. We expect the truck to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 170 tons per year compared to a regular timber truck," says Anton Ahlinder, Business Developer at Industrial Supply, SCA Skog.

Starting from December 2024, the European Union Deforestation-free products Regulation (EUDR) will be implemented. This new legislation aims to prevent the sale of seven commodity products – soy, beef, palm oil, wood, cocoa, coffee, and rubber – that are major drivers of deforestation, if sourced from areas affected by deforestation or forest degradation practices. By promoting the consumption of “deforestation-free” products and reducing the EU’s impact on global deforestation and forest degradation, the new EUDR is expected to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss. The EUDR will require us to provide evidence that every quantity of pulp we purchase from outside the EU comes from areas free from deforestation. To comply with the Regulation, wood must have been harvested from land that was not subject to deforestation and without inducing forest degradation after December 31, 2020.

The EU Commission is set to provide further clarity regarding the requirements of the European Union Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR). Yet, organizations don’t need to wait to begin their journey toward EUDR compliance. Here are six steps companies - including FSC certificate and licence holders - can take now to prepare for EUDR compliance before 31 December 2024. STEP 1: Create an inventory list of your commodities and/or products in scope STEP 2: Review the proposed requirements for FSC’s new Regulatory Module STEP 3: Review your current Due Diligence system against EUDR requirements STEP 4: Collaboratively prepare with your supply chain STEP 5: Plan for secure data exchange with trading partners STEP 6: Reach out about your intentions for EUDR compliance to your certification body.

Mondi, a global packaging and paper manufacturer, has maintained its Platinum status in EcoVadis’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) ratings. The Group’s overall score of 87% places Mondi among the top 1% of global companies assessed for the eighth consecutive year. We are delighted to have secured our position among the top 1% of companies globally in the EcoVadis ratings once again this year. This achievement underscores our continued dedication to realising our ambitious MAP2030 sustainability commitments and to transparent reporting on our progress. As a widely recognised global platform for sustainability and corporate social responsibility ratings, EcoVadis supports us in engaging with customers and suppliers - Gladys Naylor, Mondi Group Head of Sustainable Development.

Solenis LLC is proud to announce that a BASF site located in White Stone, South Carolina, is among the winners of a 2023 Solenis Sustainability Award. The White Stone operation, which produces surfactants for the personal care and cleaning industries, is being recognized for a boiler tuning effort that led to annual savings of $27,002 (makeup water savings of $3,911; wastewater savings of $7,821; and fuel savings of $15,270). The BASF White Stone facility is a typical batch process chemical plant that uses steam from its three boilers in several critical processes. The boilers started experiencing carryover problems, which occurs when solids and other contaminants leave the boilers with the steam. Solids carried in the steam can form deposits in non-return and other control valves, affecting system efficiency. The escaping solids can also enter process streams, leading to product quality issues. As the carryover problem worsened, the White Stone facility was unable to sustain good boiler cycles. Solenis team members worked closely with the White Stone maintenance staff to resolve the issue. This involved weekly interventions to diagnose likely causes, implement system tweaks, and analyze the results.

UPM Raflatac has received RecyClass recognition for PE Films with its Multipurpose UV acrylic adhesive technology - making UPM Raflatac the first ever pressure sensitive laminate producer to receive technology approval in this category. The granted recognition expands UPM Raflatac’s portfolio of RecyClass approved PE (polyethylene) label materials. These materials are recognized to be recycling compatible with colored and natural PE flexible films. Today’s consumers and brand owners demand product solutions where the sustainability aspects including packaging recyclability are carefully considered. As a significant trend which is only going to get bigger, UPM Raflatac is well positioned to cater for the growing market demands with its labeling solutions for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) products which are by default designed to support recycling compatibility. “We are working towards a more sustainable and circular future. One big part of this is making plastic packaging recyclable. Labels not only serve as a carrier of information on flexible packages and packaging films, but also offer a functional purpose for example as closure systems. We are proud to be the first ever self-adhesive label company to provide RecyClass approved recycling compatible labeling solutions for PE flexible packaging,” says Katja Kivelä, Business Director, Food and HPC, Films & Specials SBU EMEIA, UPM Raflatac.

Two Sides is excited to announce its newest member and supporter, SCREEN Europe, one of the world’s largest manufacturers and suppliers of production systems for the prepress and inkjet digital printing industries. SCREEN Europe’s portfolio includes cutting-edge inkjet presses renowned for their precision, speed, and versatility. These presses cater to diverse sectors such as commercial printing, packaging, labels, and industrial printing, enabling customers to meet their specific production needs efficiently. “SCREEN Europe’s commitment to innovation is evident through its continuous research and development efforts aimed at improving printing capabilities and addressing evolving market demands. By using advanced technologies and industry expertise, the SCREEN delivers solutions that enhance productivity, quality, and cost-effectiveness for its clientele, whilst also focussing on improved sustainability.” says Juan Cano, Business Development Director for SCREEN Europe.

Forest Stewardship Council United States (FSC US) announced the appointment of Sarah Billig as its new President following a comprehensive internal and external search. Billig steps into the role succeeding Stuart Hale, Forestry Program Manager for the US and Canada Carbon Markets Team at The Nature Conservancy, who has been serving as Interim President while also Co-Chairing the Board of Directors. With nearly 25 years of expertise in forestry and natural resources management, Billig brings a wealth of experience to her new position. In her previous role as Stewardship Director at the Mendocino Companies, she was key in expanding sustainability initiatives, enhancing certified lands, and spearheading entry into new markets including carbon sequestration. “Sarah is coming to us with years of experience working with FSC, including previously Co-Chairing the FSC US Board and serving on multiple committees and working groups,” said Hale. “In addition, her experiences as someone working on and managing lands within the FSC system provide Sarah with valuable perspectives on the opportunities and challenges we face in achieving our strategic goals.”

American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock today commended bipartisan U.S. Senate efforts urging the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to engage with the European Commission on the challenges of European Union Deforestation-free Regulation (EUDR): “The U.S. pulp and paper industry is not linked to global deforestation and forest degradation. As such, the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) – in its current form – poses significant concerns for our country. The rule presents severe compliance challenges, would disrupt sustainable supply chains, and imposes unwarranted and costly requirements for doing business with the E.U.

Are you an FSC certificate holder and need to comply with the upcoming EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR)? You might qualify to become an early adopter of FSC EUDR Aligned. Since the EUDR came into force in June 2023, FSC has been dedicated to strengthening its system and developing new technologies to support our certificate holders to meet these requirements. FSC EUDR Aligned will provide a set of integrated tools to tens of thousands of companies – at different points along the value chain and with vastly different needs – to help meet EUDR legality, sustainability, and due diligence obligations. We are ready to onboard a select number of companies to start testing our solutions.

TEAMING UP 4 FORESTS, a science-business platform connecting stakeholders across the forest value chain, has released today a new study on “Europe’s wood supply in disruptive times”, which captures the factors identified in numerous scientific studies influencing wood supply from European forests. It outlines the impacts of climate change and also considers other factors, such as political uncertainties and a fragmented forest landscape. Bridging the gap between science and application of insights, it highlights practical implications and response measures for the wood-based industry, forest management and policymakers. The study compiles findings of a wide range of scientific papers and research. Perspectives of different stakeholders have also been evaluated during the process.

FSC was selected as a member of the new 'Forest and Forestry Stakeholder Platform’ established by the European Commission. Dr. Marion Karmann, Senior Research Relations Manager, and Matteo Mascolo, Lead EU Affairs & Engagement, will represent FSC in that forum. The Platform gathers knowledge and expertise on forests and forestry-related matters. Members of the Platform will discuss the EU Forest Strategy for 2030’s implementation, policies to better monitor and protect European forests, and closer-to-nature forestry practices. Matteo Mascolo commented: "We are delighted to be an official member of the Platform. As a multi-stakeholder organization with 30 years of experience on the ground balancing economic, social, and environmental interests in forests, FSC shares the European Union’s goal of making forests resilient. We have knowledge, passion, data, and expertise that we are committed to share with the EU Commission."

Communities, family forest owners, and Indigenous Peoples have long been the unsung heroes of forest stewardship, their intimate connection to the land shaping sustainable practices for generations. As custodians of the world's forests, their role is pivotal in preserving biodiversity and ensuring the long-term health of our ecosystems. Recognizing their significance, FSC has the Community and Family Forests Toolbox, a comprehensive set of solutions aimed at empowering these groups and enhancing their capacity to safeguard our forests. At the core of FSC's mission lies a profound respect for the expertise and wisdom of smallholders, communities, and Indigenous Peoples. These groups possess a deep spiritual connection to their land, fostering management practices that prioritize conservation and resilience. Through the Community and Family Forests Toolbox, FSC endeavors to amplify their voices and support their efforts in sustainable forest management.

Stakeholders globally are invited to give their feedback on the new PEFC EUDR DDS standard module. Deadline for comments is 7 May 2024. We have developed this new PEFC EUDR Due Diligence System (DDS) to help our PEFC chain of custody certified organisations comply with their EUDR obligations. This voluntary tool will be easily integrated within the current PEFC chain of custody processes, with companies deciding whether they implement the ST 2002 chain of custody DDS or replace it with the PEFC EUDR DDS, at product group level. Please fill in this form (https://podio.com/webforms/29454879/2420782) to receive the link to the draft standard module.

This standard that becomes effective from 15 June 2024, representing a significant step forward in FSC's commitment to fostering sustainable forestry practices in Botswana. FSC is pleased to announce the official release of the new FSC Interim Forest Stewardship Standard (IFSS) for Botswana. This standard reflects FSC commitment to social responsibility, environmental protection, and economic sustainability by translating FSC's Principles and Criteria into effective forest management practices. The new IFSS for Botswana was developed between January 2022 and February 2023. This process included two stakeholder consultations and two face-to-face stakeholder consultation meetings held in Gaborone and Maun, respectively. The standard was finally approved on November 29, 2023.

Cooperation between the State Forests in Poland and FSC International was the subject of a meeting at the headquarters of the Directorate General of State Forests. Representatives from both institutions, as well as the Ministry of Climate and Environment, discussed the return to FSC certification. The meeting, held on 29 February 2024, was attended by Mikołaj Dorozala, Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment, Jerzy Fijas, Deputy Director General of State Forests, and Kim Carstensen, Director General of FSC International. “I am very pleased that we were able to organize this meeting at such short notice,” said Minister Mikolaj Dorozala. “This is in line with the government's policy in the area of sustainable forest management that strengthens the natural and social functions of the forest, while increasing the competitiveness of the Polish timber sector.”

Eco-Products® announced an innovative new product line designed to make it easier for consumers, composters, and the entire foodservice value chain to differentiate between compostable and non-compostable products. All cups, lids, containers and cutlery in the new Veridian™ line feature the word “Compostable,” display the BPI Certification Mark signifying that the material is compostable, and include green or brown identification elements like tinting and striping that further help distinguish them from their non-compostable counterparts. “Consistent on-item labeling is essential to giving foodservice operators, their customers and composters the ability to quickly and easily identify products as compostable,” said Wendell Simonson, Director of Marketing at Eco-Products. “That’s what Veridian is all about.”

On 27 February we shared all the latest developments at PEFC as we progress on our roadmap to EUDR alignment. If you missed it, check out the recording. Over the two sessions, we were delighted to welcome 1500 participants interested to learn more about our progress in developing the PEFC EUDR solution for the market. Our PEFC experts took us through the advances we have made in aligning our sustainable forest management and chain of custody standards with EUDR requirements, as well as looking at the vital data and integrity elements. See the webinar takeaways and FAQ, based on the questions received during the webinar:

In an era where digital solutions are seen as inherently sustainable, the print, paper and paper-based packaging industries play a crucial role in shaping environmentally friendly practices. Two Sides North America is at the forefront of this movement and plays a unique role as an industry advocate while directly taking on other corporations and industries that use greenwashing to spread misinformation about the environmental impact of paper products. Two Sides North America (TSNA) is part of the non-profit Two Sides Global network that includes more than 600 members in North America, South America, Europe, Australia, and South Africa. Our membership includes companies and industry-allied organizations, both large and small, from across the entire value chain. TSNA research, outreach, and ongoing work are 100% funded by membership dues. Members of TSNA gain access to a wealth of resources while providing valuable tools and research to help keep the industry informed and able to address misguided environmental concerns about print and paper use in North America.

Stakeholders from around the world are invited to give feedback on the Spanish Forest Certification System. Deadline for comments is 3 May. Give your feedback. PEFC Spain revised the country’s national forest certification system to ensure its forest management standard is up-to-date and continues to meet stakeholder demands and expectations. The Spanish system was submitted to PEFC after being revised in line with PEFC requirements. The system is now undergoing the PEFC assessment process, carried out by an independent PEFC Registered Assessor. It must pass this assessment to maintain its PEFC endorsement. An important aspect of the assessment process is the public consultation. Over the sixty-day consultation, stakeholders from around the world can give their comments and provide feedback on any aspect of the system. The Registered Assessor will use the information received from this consultation in their assessment of the system.

Increasing regulatory requirements such as the EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR) and market pressure for responsibly produced products are posing a serious challenge to businesses, certification schemes and producers in agricultural and forest-based sectors. The RIA will develop and maintain credible risk assessments with a range of partners and across commodities offering value beyond the EUDR. Through an innovative and collaborative approach, the Alliance will encourage risk data sharing in a pre-competitive sphere and cut through the complex and costly landscape facing companies and sustainability systems. “Historically, businesses, certification schemes and other stakeholders have worked in isolation to evaluate risks. Without coordination, it is easy to imagine how they may come to different conclusions for the same indicators, wasting time, resources, and potential impact,” said David Hadley, Regulatory Impact Programme Director at Preferred by Nature.

Certification can help scale up business transformation and ensure that corporate actions not only address the environmental issues, but also the social and economic dimensions of sustainability, said Thorsten Arndt, Head of Advocacy at PEFC International, at the United Nations Environment Assembly today in Nairobi Kenya. He highlighted that with close to one million forest owners and tens of thousands of businesses certified, PEFC offers an ideal opportunity to scale up actions and deliver impacts beyond the scope of individual companies. Thorsten made his remarks during the Launch of the Business and Industry Major Group Beacon Projects Report 2024 side event at the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 6). The report showcases 35 leading Beacon Projects from across private-sector associations and institutions, highlighting the impact potential of these associations and their member companies. The report also illustrates the value-creation possible in developing or emerging economies and the transformative impacts that are achievable in local communities.

Crown Holdings, Inc. has entered a 15-year Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) with Enel Green Power España (EGPE), Endesa's renewable energy subsidiary, securing renewable electricity from a new PV project built in Badajoz, Spain. This deal will cover all of Crown's current operational footprint in European countries that are part of the Alliance of Issuing Bodies (AIB), which manages the European Energy Certificate System, allowing the Company to advance in its Twentyby30™ sustainability program. This agreement is Crown's first VPPA in Europe and demonstrates the Company's commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to act locally. The project is expected to produce an annual output of 285,100 Megawatt hours (MWh), of which Crown is contracted for around 70%—saving the CO2 emissions equivalent of nearly 40,000 homes' electricity use for one year. Scheduled to start operation in October 2025, the renewable energy supply from the PV power plant follows Crown's earlier renewable energy project designed to address decarbonization and sustainability goals.

Sustainable forestry and land retention are closely linked, especially in the fiber baskets across the southeastern United States where Domtar buys wood from small landowners. Our company has supported efforts across the region to educate and advocate for land retention among families. This includes the Sustainable Forestry and Land Retention Project in Eastern North Carolina. The focus of the program is to empower landowners to retain their land, generate income and maintain healthy and productive forests. “Our success is seen in continued partnerships where landowners are empowered to participate in forest management and other conservation activities, as well as policy and advocacy for forestry,” says Perry. “Our success is also seen in landowners realizing multiple economic streams from their property, such as reduced property taxes, hunting leases, agri-tourism or niche agriculture markets.”

The Spanish Forest Certification System has been submitted to PEFC for assessment. The public consultation, which is your chance to give your feedback on this revised system, will run from 4 March to 3 May 2024. PEFC Spain revised the country’s national forest certification system to ensure its forest management standard is up-to-date and continues to meet stakeholder demands and expectations. To provide you with additional information about this revised system, we are holding a webinar on 4 March 2024 at 10:00 CET.

Walmart Inc. has achieved a milestone in removing greenhouse gas emissions from its supply chain that it hadn’t expected to accomplish until 2030. More than 5,900 suppliers globally are engaged in Walmart’s Project Gigaton, an initiative the discounter launched in 2017 to avoid one gigaton (one billion metric tons) of carbon dioxide from its global value chain by 2030. By focusing projects on efforts like energy efficiency, packaging redesign, food waste reduction and trucking load optimization, Walmart says its suppliers have reported projects that are expected to exceed that one billion metric ton mark — helping the retailer reach its carbon reduction goal six years early.

Stakeholders globally are invited to give their feedback on the new PEFC RED II standards, developed to enable organisations to demonstrate compliance with RED II requirements and make RED II compliant declarations. Deadline for comments is 20 April 2024. RED II, the European Union’s (EU) Renewable Energy Directive, establishes sustainability requirements for forestry feedstocks and greenhouse gas criteria for biomass fuels that companies in the renewable energy sector across the EU must comply with to be eligible for financial support by public authorities. PEFC is currently in the process to be recognised by the European Commission as one of the voluntary schemes that organisations can use to make their RED II compliant declarations. Our recognition scope covers forest ligno-cellulosic material, including residues and waste, and biomass fuels made of this material.

Inks and coatings may provide the solution to enable further & future use of recycled plastic materials. Packaging needs to become more circular. Pressure for a more circular economy in packaging is mounting. Put simply, as packaging manufacturers are increasingly expected to consider how their products affect the environment, more and more are focusing on methods to minimise virgin material use. Ensuring that packaging can be recycled and reused supports efforts keep raw materials available in the supply chain. Furthermore, using recycled materials avoids extracting new resources causing negative environmental impacts. The ideal outcome of this is that materials are reused again and again, creating a ‘circular’ lifecycle, reducing carbon emissions, and ultimately supporting businesses in their sustainability efforts.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) announced up to $304 million in funding for four projects to pilot transformational technologies designed to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) in Kentucky, Mississippi, Texas and Wyoming. Nonprofit research institute RTI International was selected for award negotiations to lead the carbon capture pilot in Mississippi in collaboration with International Paper (IP), SLB and Amazon. A first-of-its-kind for the pulp and paper industry, the pilot will be at IP's Vicksburg Containerboard Mill. The project aims to capture 120,000 metric tons of CO2 per year, an amount equivalent to the annual CO2 emissions of nearly 27,000 gasoline-powered cars, and direct it to a site for permanent geologic storage. Phase 1 of this pilot project will conduct a front-end engineering design (FEED) study for a carbon capture system at IP's containerboard mill. If successful, subsequent phases would lead to permitting, construction and operation of a carbon capture plant.

Our commitment to championing the environmental merits of print, paper, and paper-based packaging remains steadfast. The Love Paper campaign, focussed on improving consumer perceptions of our products, reached a milestone in 2023 with over 2,000 advertisements featured in national newspapers and magazines. This initiative reaches more than 240 million consumers, communicating the sustainable story of magazines, newspapers, and all paper-based products. We are reaching more consumers every year. Across Europe, the problem of Greenwashing continues, with companies making misleading messages that portray digital communications as better for the environment. Slogans like “Go green, go paperless” not only misguide, but pose a significant threat to our industry. Two Sides actively engages businesses, brands, and organisations, urging them to refrain from making such deceptive statements regarding print and paper.

Metsä Group and technology supplier ANDRITZ have agreed to work together to reduce Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions. Scope 3 emissions refer to emissions from the company's value chain and purchases, such as emissions during the sourcing of production equipment and raw materials and the transportation and use of manufactured products. The goal of the multi-year cooperation is to increase the effectiveness of emission reductions and to find completely new ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The companies have established a project group that will determine the most significant development targets, metrics and goals during 2024, with which the total emissions of the value chain can be reduced. "The collaboration is a significant step for both companies. It shows how important part of our sustainability work is to reduce emissions from the value chain and sourcing. Together, we will find new ways to manage greenhouse emissions that would not necessarily be recognized if companies were operating independently," says Jari Voutilainen, SVP Sourcing and Logistics at Metsä Group.

Stora Enso has, as a forest industry forerunner, developed a science-based framework to verify net positive impact on biodiversity. Through combining science, technology and data, the framework enables forecasting of biodiversity impact, which allows operations to be adapted towards a net positive goal. The partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) will provide external expert insights for further development and validation of the framework. Stora Enso’s sustainability strategy focuses on climate change, biodiversity, and circularity, and the Company’s biodiversity goal is to have a net positive impact within its own forests and plantations through active management. IUCN is the leading non-profit nature conservation organisation globally, supporting companies with nature-positive tools and practices to reverse biodiversity loss. Stora Enso’s partnership with IUCN focuses on developing a framework to measure and disclose net positive biodiversity impact.

Tetra Pak is announcing several strategic investments designed to level up the recycling capacity for carton packages in the European Union (EU). The move supports the goals of the proposed EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), by ensuring that all packaging components are recycled and valuable raw materials are kept in circulation for longer, therefore showcasing the pivotal role of recycling in the green transition of the food packaging sector. In 2023, Tetra Pak invested nearly €40 million3 to accelerate beverage carton recycling worldwide and plans to increase this even further over the coming years to achieve greater material circularity. The recent initiatives and investments are set to boost the EU’s ability to recycle beverage cartons, including the non-fibre protective layers of polyethylene and aluminium, known as ‘polyAl’. This will be achieved by either unlocking new collaborations or by strengthening the capabilities of established recyclers to turn all materials from post-consumer cartons into new high-quality resources and goods.

We have launched a call for proposals for consultants to conduct research on PEFC positioning on the carbon arena. Recognising the importance of forests and PEFC certification in climate change mitigation, especially regarding greenhouse gas emission removal and avoidance, several PEFC national members have been working on the carbon initiatives with their own approaches. PEFC Carbon Task Force was established in August 2023 with the mandate to identify the PEFC carbon approaches that could be applied across the PEFC alliance. The PEFC carbon approaches should enable PEFC certificate holders to demonstrate the positive impact of PEFC certification in climate change mitigation and adaption. PEFC is looking for consultant(s) to conduct research on specific topics ensuring that the needed information is available, to support the Task Force in achieving its mandate.

Atlantic Packaging is named in CDP’s A List 2023 for its environmental transparency and performance on climate change. CDP is a global nonprofit that helps companies, cities, states, regions, and public authorities disclose their environmental impact. The organization annually grades entities based on their commitments to sustainability. Based on data reported through CDP’s 2023 Climate Change questionnaire, Atlantic is one of 346 companies that achieved an ‘A’ out of over 21,000 companies scored. CDP scores are used to inform investment and procurement decisions that encourage a move toward a zero-carbon, sustainable, and resilient economy. In 2023, over 740 financial institutions with over $136 trillion in assets requested companies to disclose data on environmental impacts, risks, and opportunities through CDP’s platform. A record-breaking 23,000 companies responded.

The MM Group has been recognised for leadership in corporate transparency and performance on climate change, forests and water security by global environmental non-profit CDP. Based on data reported through CDP’s 2023 Climate Change, Forests and Water Security questionnaires, the MM Group is one of only 10 companies that achieved a triple ‘A’, out of over 21,000 companies scored in 2023 – including listed companies worth two thirds global market capitalisation and over 1,100 cities, states and regions. A detailed and independent methodology is used by CDP to assess these companies, allocating a score of A to D- based on the comprehensiveness of disclosure, awareness and management of environmental risks. In addition, the demonstration of best practice associated with environmental leadership, such as setting ambitious and meaningful targets, is included in the assessment.

Tetra Pak has been recognised for leadership in corporate transparency and performance on forests by global environmental non-profit CDP, securing a place on its annual ‘A List’. Based on data reported through CDP’s 2023 Forests questionnaires, Tetra Pak is among the 2% of companies that achieved an ‘A’ score out of over 21,000 companies assessed.1 The company also reported on Climate Change and, for the first time, Water Security. Having recorded an ‘A-‘ score on both cemented Tetra Pak's inclusion in the CDP leadership band once again, as the only company in the carton packaging sector to do so. The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) warns that nature is deteriorating at unprecedented rates, mainly due to human activities.2 Global food systems are the lead driver of nature loss,3 despite these systems depending on the services provided by nature.4, 5, 6 But it is not just about food security, it has been estimated that more than half of the world’s total GDP – $44 trillion of economic value generation – is moderately or highly dependent on nature and its services.7

Stakeholders from around the world are invited to give feedback on the Hungarian Forest Certification System. Deadline for comments is 4 April. Give your feedback. The Hungarian Forest Certification Non-profit revised the country’s national forest certification system to ensure its forest management standard is up-to-date and continues to meet stakeholder demands and expectations. The Hungarian system was submitted to PEFC after being revised in line with PEFC requirements. The system is now undergoing the PEFC assessment process, carried out by an independent PEFC Registered Assessor. It must pass this assessment to maintain its PEFC endorsement. An important aspect of the assessment process is the public consultation. Over the sixty-day consultation, stakeholders from around the world can give their comments and provide feedback on any aspect of the system. The Registered Assessor will use the information received from this consultation in their assessment of the system.

Join us on 27 February to discover all the latest developments at PEFC as we progress on our roadmap to EUDR alignment. Register now! Our webinar will focus on the advances we have made in aligning our sustainable forest management and chain of custody standards with EUDR requirements, as well as looking at the vital data and integrity elements. Our PEFC experts will give you a behind the scenes look at the progress of our working groups and task forces, working tirelessly to ensure we will have practical solutions in place to enable you to successfully implement EUDR. Once we’ve heard from our experts, we’ll open the webinar up to the audience for questions and answers.

A key part of FSC’s offer is the development of requirements for the FSC Regulatory Module: a voluntary module that complements existing FSC certification requirements to support EUDR compliance. It presents additional forest management, chain of custody and controlled wood requirements for organizations looking to use their FSC certification to support their efforts to demonstrate compliance with EUDR. The FSC Regulatory Module sets the framework and requirements to: *introduce a due diligence system to support EUDR compliance, including information collection, risk assessment and risk mitigation, *gather and transmit precise information on the origin of products (geolocation and time of production), and *adds further assurance that only deforestation-free material enters an FSC chain of custody value chain that needs to be EUDR compliant.

PEFC Portugal is the third member to achieve PEFC endorsement for their Trees outside Forests (TOF) requirements, opening the way to the first PEFC-certified trees growing outside of forests in the country. Incorporated into the Sustainable Forest Management benchmark standard since 2018, Trees outside Forests requirements have widened the scope of PEFC certification. The endorsements of the first national TOF systems made certification accessible to millions of farmers managing trees on their land, and municipalities managing urban trees.

Two new standards for Forest Stewardship for the Kingdom of Thailand have been developed and approved for publication. Specifically, a standard for all forest types and scales (except Management Units smaller than 20 ha) and a complementary, locally adapted regional standard for smallholders with Management Units smaller than 20 ha have been developed. Both standards apply to private and state-owned forests with timber and non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in the scope. The locally adapted regional standard is part of a wider pilot. It currently focuses on forest plantations, but its extension to natural forests may be considered in the future. FSC Forest Stewardship Standards (FSS) are based on the Principles and Criteria for Forest Stewardship; the foundation of FSC certification schemes covering a broad range of issues, from maintaining high conservation value to community relations and workers’ rights, as well as monitoring the environmental and social impacts of forest management.

Stakeholders from around the world are invited to give feedback on the Canadian Forest Certification System. Deadline for comments is 28 March. PEFC Canada revised their forest certification system to ensure its forest management standard is up-to-date and continues to meet stakeholder demands and expectations. The Canadian system was submitted to PEFC after being revised in line with PEFC requirements. The system is now undergoing the PEFC assessment process, carried out by an independent PEFC Registered Assessor. It must pass this assessment to maintain its PEFC endorsement. An important aspect of the assessment process is the public consultation. Over the sixty-day consultation, stakeholders from around the world can give their comments and provide feedback on any aspect of the system. The Registered Assessor will use the information received from this consultation in their assessment of the system.

At PEFC, we are committed to halting deforestation and strongly support the objectives of the EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR). To provide our stakeholders with the latest information on EUDR implementation at the Commission level, we are sharing regular updates, so you have all the information you need in one place. To discover how PEFC is your partner for the EUDR, visit out EUDR website. You can also sign up to our Technical Matters newsletter to receive all the latest news and progress. The Commission addressed the most frequent questions received from relevant stakeholders in the latest EUDR Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) available here. The document will be updated over time.