UPM is one of seven paper producers to receive an award from the WWF (World Wide Fund For Nature) in the category of ‘Transparency’ during the 2012 WWF Environmental Paper Awards. The award recognizes UPM’s efforts in providing public information on the environmental footprint of the majority of its paper products in ‘Check your paper’: a global benchmarking database of eco-rated papers that promotes the responsible supply chain of paper products.
“Transparency is essential to driving environmental performance and ensuring customers have the necessary information to make responsible purchasing decisions”, commented John Sanderson, Director of Environmental Market Support for UPM.
In addition, two paper brands of UPM have received the WWF Environmental Paper Award 2012 in the category “Best Environmental Performance Paper Brands” reaching over 90% of achievable scores in WWF´s eco-rating and the maximum 5 stars in all performance categories: forest, water and climate. UPM has published 66% of coated paper, 22% of uncoated paper and 11% of its newsprint on WWF´s ‘Check Your Paper’ database where users can assess how papers rate against criteria such as management of forests, greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution and waste, all of which are also combined into a single measure to rate each paper grade overall.
“Increased transparency of value chains is a sign from companies that they want to improve their environmental and social responsibility. I’m delighted by this development and encourage companies to provide transparent information also in the future”, said Liisa Rohweder, CEO of WWF Finland.
UPM’s paper products are made of sustainable raw materials and with a minimal environmental impact. This exceptional performance is assured by certification, continuous monitoring and reporting. The world’s largest conservation organisation also recognized UPM’s outstanding environmental performance of other paper brands featured in WWF’s ‘Check your paper’: thirteen of UPM’s paper brands reached over 80% and four reached over 70% points.
UPM’s Biofore vision and consistent work on corporate responsibility has recently gained recognition from different parties. UPM was listed as the only forestry and paper company worldwide in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes, and also recognized as the ‘Most Innovative Company’ at the 2012 Ethical Corporation Awards. In the Nordic Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index, UPM was ranked in shared first place with top scores.