Healthy Forests, Healthy Planet
Forests play a crucial role in combating climate change by sequestering carbon, purifying water, and providing vital habitats. Over 1.6 billion people depend on forests for their livelihoods. At International Paper, our business revolves around these vital ecosystems, and we are dedicated to their preservation.
Ensuring the sustainability of forests is essential for both the environment and our operations. We commit to producing necessary products while responsibly managing natural resources. Our aim is to maintain the resilience and health of forests to benefit global ecosystems.
Protecting forests is paramount in a changing climate. The well-being of our forests and the species they shelter are deeply connected to climate dynamics. To sustain their diverse benefits, we must preserve working forest landscapes for future generations.
By protecting forestland instead of converting it, we help regulate the climate and support essential ecosystems. With biodiversity loss accelerating, healthy forests offer a refuge for nature and enhance resilience to extreme weather events.
Promoting Responsible Forestry
Sustainably managed forests can significantly mitigate climate change through carbon sequestration. We collaborate with landowners, suppliers, and partners to prevent deforestation and promote responsible forestry practices. This approach ensures the long-term integrity of forests.
Our commitment to protecting natural resources begins with our relationships with landowners and suppliers. We aim to operate a top-notch fiber procurement system aligned with our core values. Location-specific steps are taken to enhance environmental values through responsible fiber sourcing, which includes:
- Due diligence throughout our supply chain
- Validating origins on direct uncertified fiber purchases
- Monitoring harvest activities with GIS systems like ForSite™
In 2023, we achieved significant milestones in our Vision 2030 responsible fiber sourcing target, using 48M tons of new and recycled fiber and 5.2M tons of recovered fiber.
Leadership in Forest Stewardship
Our leadership in forest stewardship is driven by two key targets for Vision 2030: sourcing 100% of fiber from sustainably managed forests and conserving/restoring 1 million acres of ecologically significant forestland.
Currently, 89% of our fiber is verified as sustainably managed. We have conserved and restored 732,770 acres of ecologically significant forestland, making substantial progress toward our goal.
All our fiber sourcing meets the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) Controlled Wood Standard. We ensure traceability and compliance with our Global Sourcing Policy, maintaining high standards across our supply chain.
Our commitment is reflected in our sourcing statistics: 95.6% from U.S. forests, 3.5% from Canadian forests, and stringent measures to avoid sourcing from peatlands or high carbon stock forests.
Comprehensive Approach to Forest Stewardship
Forests are complex ecosystems supporting countless species and maintaining ecological balance. International Paper is passionate about sustainable forest management, conservation, and restoration activities that extend beyond our supply chains.
We invest in research, restoration, and conservation initiatives to benefit forests, watersheds, and biodiversity. Our approach encompasses responsible fiber procurement, forest certification, and collaboration with conservation partners.
We utilize GIS-based platforms like ForSite™ to gather data on our biodiversity interactions. In 2024, we will align with the Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) methodology to enhance transparency and accountability in our environmental impact.
International Paper is dedicated to creating a sustainable future, driven by our commitment to responsible forestry and the preservation of our planet’s vital ecosystems.
TobyTitan
Thank you for sharing your efforts! It’s inspiring to see a company so committed to sustainability. Keep it up! 😊
Harrison
This is fantastic and all, but how do we know these numbers are legit? Just saying!
kevin
5.2M tons of recovered fiber is impressive. How do you manage to recover so much material?
lillian
Interesting read! But what specific challenges have you faced in maintaining these sustainability goals?
ayden5
Do you have any plans to expand these efforts to other countries outside the U.S. and Canada?
RubyShadowdancer2
How does International Paper ensure compliance with the Forest Stewardship Council® standards?
IsabellaSiren
Great job! 🌳 It’s reassuring to see a company taking real action for our planet!
bella
This sounds like a lot of corporate jargon. Can you provide more concrete examples of what you’re doing?
alexis
Wow, 732,770 acres conserved! How did you achieve such impressive numbers?