Global Forest and Paper Industry Reports on Sustainability Progress

“We are proud to announce our global industry’s continuous progress, which represents our commitment to social and environmental aspects associated with forest management and the manufacture of forest-based products,” said ICFPA President Jane Molony. “We look forward to continuing to supply the growing global demand for sustainable products, including fuel, fiber and forest products, while moving towards a greener economy.”

In 2016, about 5.5 million hectares of forest area that belong to Brazilian Tree Industry’s (Ibá) member companies were certified by independent organizations such as FSC and PEFC, which is represented by Cerflor in Brazil. This is an increase of 8% compared to 2015, and the number of forest management certificate holders has increased 14%. Elizabeth de Carvalhaes, Ibá’s executive president explained that the association remains deeply involved in promoting certification standards by working with Latin American Economic Chamber members to align positions and common interests considering certification policies and standards.

The global sustainability performance of the forest product industry is improving, with all aggregate indicators for reporting associations showing progress from their respective baseline years:

• Since 2004/2005, ICFPA members reduced their greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 16%, and increased the share of bio-energy in the fuel mix by 10.3 percentage points.
• The total sustainable forest management-certified area used to supply the global industry reached 54% in 2015, up from just 12% in 2000.
• The global paper recycling rate reached 58.9% in 2015 – a 12.4 percentage point increase from 2000.
• Members improved their onsite energy intensity by 1.1% since the 2004/2005; reduced their SO2 emissions by 48% from 2004/2006; and reduced their use of process water by 7.2% since 2004/2005.
• Members’ recordable incident rate was improved by 24.5% since 2006/2007.

ICFPA members that contributed to the 2017 Sustainability Progress Report are the American Forest & Paper Association, Australian Forest Products Association, the Confederation of European Paper Industries, Corporación Chilena de la Madera, the Forest Products Association of Canada, the Brazilian Tree Industry – Ibá, the Japan Paper Association, the New Zealand Forest Owners Association, and the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa.