As an iconic Silicon Valley company, HP has long been a leader in its sector. This leadership is apparent in the company’s commitment to responsible use of forest products, including its long-standing preference for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified materials.
The company released its first sustainable paper and wood policy in 2008, which set it on a course focused on support for responsible forest management, increased materials efficiency, waste reduction, low carbon production, and protection of human rights. HP further solidified its commitment to responsible forest management when it became a member of Forest Stewardship Council in 2011.
In 2016, HP announced its commitment to achieve zero deforestation in its HP brand paper, packaging and wood use, stating a preference for FSC certification. At the time, HP set a goal of at least 50% of HP brand paper as FSC certified or post-consumer recycled by 2020.
HP was also a premier partner in FSC US’s 2017 “One Simple Action” campaign.
HP’s sustainable paper and wood policy was updated in 2019, establishing principles for sustainable forestry, including recognition and protection of high conservation values, soil conservation, respect for the rights of Indigenous Peoples, and protection of workers’ rights. “The certification standard that currently provides such assurance is the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC),” according to HP’s review.
With HP’s commitment to make printing “Forest Positive,” the company continues to advance an important conversation about corporate leadership and responsibility in the face of climate change, deforestation and other global challenges.
FSC strongly supports HP’s efforts to promote responsible forest management and conservation through its Forest Positive initiative. This is the type of leadership that is needed from businesses, both to tackle deforestation and climate change.
Our support is due to several aspects of the program:
•By driving new demand for FSC-certified products, Forest Positive can translate into environmental and social benefits on the ground. While the initial focus is on forests in Brazil and China, we also see opportunities to promote conservation and responsible management in US forests.
•By committing to science-based targets, HP is demonstrating the level of credibility needed to tackle climate change and deforestation. FSC’s Ecosystem Services Procedure offers an innovative way to measure the additional forest carbon storage tied to HP’s use of FSC-certified fiber.
•By setting goals around forest restoration, HP is moving beyond responsible management alone. In our plantation and natural forest management standards, FSC offers important tools to guide forest restoration work.
FSC applauds HP’s commitments related to the Forest Positive initiative and looks forward to supporting the company’s ongoing efforts. We also see opportunities to expand this effort into US forests, especially in the Southeast – one of the most biodiverse forest regions in the world – where so much fiber for printer paper is sourced.
Consumers expect businesses to lead on sustainability and climate, and we appreciate the important steps HP is taking. Through increasing demand for FSC-certified fiber, HP is helping to protect forests for current and future generations.
https://us.fsc.org/en-us/newsroom/newsletter/id/1107