IP Announces Significant Progress on 2020 Sustainability Goals
International Paper, Memphis, Tenn., USA, has published its 2012 Sustainability Report, showing progress against voluntary goals including certified fiber use, greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions, and water quality improvement. In 2011, IP announced 12 environmental and social goals to achieve by 2020. Using a 2010 baseline, the company is reporting goal progress that includes:
- A 10% absolute reduction in on-site fossil fuel GHG emissions. This puts the company halfway toward its 2020 goal.
- A 15% reduction in criteria pollutant emissions through energy savings and fuel mix changes. This significant reduction exceeds the company's overall 2020 reduction target.
- Achieving a 27% reduction in oxygen depleting substances in water released from mill operations, which exceeds the company's 2020 water quality goal.
- Boosting purchases of third party certified fiber by 18%, exceeding IP's 15% goal for 2020.
- A 30% drop in life-changing injuries and fatalities between 2010 and 2012.
The report also highlights groundbreaking collaborations with prominent sustainability organizations including the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Collaborations for 2012 and early 2013 include:
- Joining the CEO-led World Business Council for Sustainable Development and its Forest Solutions Group where IP will provide global business leadership in expanding sustainable forestry.
- A major donation to and collaboration with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to create the "Forestland Stewards" initiative.
- Joining WWF's Global Forest and Trade Network in North America and Brazil.
- Joining the U.S. Department of Energy Better Plants Program, which commits IP to reduce energy intensity by 15% over 10 years at all U.S. facilities.
- Collaboration with the Dogwood Alliance—a non-profit working to improve how southern U.S. forests are managed—on a forest mapping pilot project in the southeastern U.S.
The complete report is available online.
IP is a global producer of packaging and paper with manufacturing operations in North America, Europe, Latin America, Russia, Asia, and North Africa. Its businesses include industrial and consumer packaging and uncoated papers. The company employs some 70,000 people in more than 24 countries. Its net sales for 2012 were $28 billion.
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