A Forest Positive Future
Over the five-year agreement, HP will contribute $11 million for WWF to restore part of Brazil’s threatened Atlantic Forest and increase sustainable management of state-owned farms and forest plantations in China – ultimately protecting a combined area of 200,000 acres.
HP will also contribute toward WWF’s development of science-based targets for forests. The partnership will provide guidance on the quantity and quality of forests needed in key regions to restore and protect forest ecosystems and nature co-benefits that provide for people, plants and animals. HP will support the development of external tools to help companies estimate the climate, water and biodiversity benefits associated with various conservation efforts.
“The decline of forests around the world increasingly destabilizes our climate and threatens the rich biodiversity that sustains billions of lives and livelihoods,” explained Carter Roberts, president and CEO of World Wildlife Fund. “To reverse the global loss and degradation of forests, companies need to look beyond their own supply chains and implement bold strategies to protect and restore these critical ecosystems. HP’s new project has the potential to deliver meaningful and lasting change and spur other industry leaders to action.”
A Call to Action
With resource-rich forests being destroyed at the pace of 27 soccer fields per minute, HP believes the time for better business models, greater collaboration and swift action is now. In response, HP is working with the world’s largest paper manufacturers, including International Paper whose tonnage of responsibly sourced fiber is more than 7 million tons a year, equal to the weight of 50,000 blue whales – the largest animal on earth.
International Paper and WWF have collaborated on ambitious goals for the sustainable sourcing of fiber, and the two are establishing the first ever science-based targets for forest conservation.
HP says it will increase the conservation efforts already underway with WWF and International Paper. As a longtime FSC stakeholder and certificate holder, International Paper is said to be committed to sustainable forest management, conservation and restoration efforts both within its supply chain and outside the company.
“We are thrilled that HP has decided to join us in our ambition to advance conservation and restoration actions in forest ecosystems beyond our existing fiber supply chains,” said Tom Cleves, International Paper’s vice president of global citizenship. “We applaud HP for holding all its suppliers accountable for responsible sourcing and ensuring consumers know that the paper they buy comes from renewable, sustainably managed forests.”
Looking Forward
Having achieved its zero deforestation goals with HP branded paper, and in addition to the projects announced today, HP intends to increase awareness about the importance of responsibly managed forests, generating further demand for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified and forest-friendly products.
“As the world’s most trusted forest certification, FSC-certified responsibly managed forests are critical for biodiversity, clean water and carbon storage, as well as for wood and fiber,” stated Corey Brinkema, president of the Forest Stewardship Council US. “HP’s new initiative represents the type of business leadership needed to protect forests for current and future generations, and fight climate change, even as we use forest products to meet our daily needs.
HP will also continue its efforts in reducing carbon emissions and energy use, while increasing the use of recycled materials and ocean-bound plastics in its products. The company says it’s on track to achieve zero deforestation goals for packaging by 2020 and has committed to increasing the use of post-consumer recycled plastics to 30 percent across HP’s personal systems and print product portfolio by 2025.
More Resources
You must be logged in to post a comment.