6 June 2013
WASHINGTON – The International Council of Forest and Paper Associations (ICFPA) released its 2013 Sustainability Progress Report showing improvements on a range of sustainability indicators and focusing on the industry’s contributions toward a green economy.
The ICFPA and its members have made strong and clear commitments to sustainable development and to working with other stakeholders in ensuring that environmental, social, and economic benefits of forest resources are available to current and future generations. Since the signing of the historic CEO Leadership Statement on Sustainability in 2006, ICFPA has published a biennial report on its members’ progress and performance in areas such as climate change, sustainable forest management, fighting illegal logging, and investments in workers and communities.
In addition to reporting on performance, this 4th edition of the Sustainability Progress Report describes how the forest and paper industry is supporting a green economy through five key areas: resource efficiency, bio-based products, innovative technologies, carbon sequestration, and improved well-being of communities.
“Ours is a diverse industry that contributes to the economic development and social well-being of communities across the globe,” said Donna Harman, president and CEO of the American Forest & Paper Association and president of the ICFPA. “Our global industry is working every day to improve our practices to ensure that we deliver sustainably-produced, renewable, natural products to our domestic and global customers. We are proud of our accomplishments and look forward to future progress as we contribute to sustainable development through new products and services in a green economy.”
ICFPA members continue to show progress on environmental indicators.
- Greenhouse gas emissions intensity has been reduced by 16 percent between 2005 and 2011.
- The share of bio-energy in the industry’s fuel mix has increased by 5 percentage points since 2005 to 58 percent.
- The number of hectares certified to a third-party sustainable forest management certification system increased by 38 percentage points since 2000 to 50 percent of wood supply.
- Global paper recycling rates have increased by 10 percentage points between 2001 and 2011 to 56 percent.
- Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions decreased by 34 percent between 2005 and 2011.
Contributing to this report are forest and paper industry associations from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Europe, India, Japan, Lebanon, Malaysia, New Zealand, Russia, South Africa, and the United States.
Read the full report at: www.icfpa.org/resource-centre/sustainability-information
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About the ICFPA: Representing 38 forest and paper associations from 36 countries with 87 percent of the world’s paper production and 60 percent of the world’s wood products production, the ICFPA serves as a forum for global dialogue, coordination, and cooperation among forest and paper associations.
Established plantations of pine, macrocarpa and Douglas-fir over 40 hectares now co-exist with carefully positioned ornamental trees on the long and narrow property running 16 kilometres from the highway to the sea.
Often circling the plantations are lusitanicus and cypress that will remain standing when timber trees are harvested.
Another 30 ha of native bush is protected by QE11 covenant and the couple have fenced from stock about 100 ha in gullies for their personal pleasure.
Charles Wiffen said the trees had been planted at the 1400 ha farm as much for providing a pleasant working landscape as for shelter and shade for stock. He said they had made a point of planting oaks, poplars and cypress for variety.
The Wiffens, who also run a Blenheim vineyard and manage the Charles Wiffen label, have been at Inverness for 48 years with Charles' father first running the farm. Elms, maples and "every oak you could think of" now line the property.
Farm Forestry Association award judge Neil Cullen, Balclutha, said the trees were an example of good land use.
Many of the "awkward" corners and gullies had been planted in small tree blocks, shelter belts and ornamental trees to provide shade and shelter appreciated by stock this dry summer, he said.
"I was impressed with the way they have managed the property as far as land use goes. It's a long, stretched out property 16km to the ocean and although there is only 40 ha of tree blocks in 1400 ha a lot of the property isn't suitable for forestry because of access problems."
Wiffen said he was a farmer first and a forester second, but he had always appreciated trees for the qualities they brought to a farm.
Story by Tim Cronshaw, © Fairfax NZ News. To read the full story, click here.