We practise and promote sustainable forestry to ensure that forestland stays forested for generations to come.
Sustainably managed forests and plantations play a vital role in mitigating climate change and safeguarding biodiversity, two of the biggest challenges of our time. We promote the increased use of certified woodfibre throughout our supply and value chains, and work with credible, internationally recognised, certification systems, which give assurance of the origin of woodfibre and responsible forest management practices.
Did you know?
Forest growth
In 2022, forests cover 39% of the EU’s land area in relative terms, representing an increase of about 8.3 million hectares (or 5.5%) since 2000 and 2.6 million hectares (or 1.7%) since 2010. Forests cover more than half of the national (terrestrial) territory in five European countries: Finland (66%), Sweden (63%), Slovenia (58%), Estonia (54%) and Latvia (53%). In absolute terms, the countries with the largest forest areas are Sweden (27 980 thousand ha), Finland (22 409 thousand ha) and Spain (18 576 thousand ha), as estimated in 2022. U.S. forests are a renewable natural resource and are not shrinking. Net forest area in the United States increased by approximately 18 million acres between 1990 and 2020. This increase in forest area is equivalent to more than 13 million NFL football fields.
Low deforestation
Deforestation in Canada is among the world’s lowest at 0.02% of its forested area. The key causes of deforestation in Canada are not forestry, but rather urbanisation, agriculture and energy developments.
Forest expansion
Forests expanded in the US from 746 million to 766 million acres (2.6%) between 1990 and 2015. This is equivalent to an average growth rate of 1,660 NFL fields per day. Each year, U.S. forests grow approximately two times more tree volume than is harvested, with a net average annual increase in growing stock of about 25 billion cubic feet (source).
Rural uplift programmes
In South Africa, Sappi has pioneered programmes that uplift rural areas through sustainable forestry without harvesting indigenous trees.
If you're a private grower, Sappi is here to support you. Get our guides to learn best practices and tips of the trade.
Sappi and the SDGs
We’ve set ambitious targets aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the seven areas where we believe Sappi can make the biggest impact.
Responsible forestry protects biodiversity
As a renewable resource company, biodiversity is at the heart of our operations. We’re dedicated to fostering healthy ecosystems in the forests and plantations where we source our woodfibre.
Forests provide habitat to an estimated 80% of terrestrial plant and animal species, making them the most diverse ecosystems on land. Conserving this biodiversity is not just the right thing to do; it’s also foundational to our business, keeping the forests and plantations where we operate healthy and strong.
Our commitment to biodiversity is reflected in the internationally recognised, independent forest certification systems we adhere to, ensuring sustainable practices and the preservation of natural habitats.
Sustainable forestry is not about leaving a forest in its natural state; rather, we continually assess the baseline and implement management plans to prioritise safeguarding the least protected and most important vegetation types. Sappi also has a Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species Programme that has been focusing on cultivating rare indigenous plant species in South Africa since 2014
Sarah Price, Sappi Sustainability Director Europe
By combining traits from different species, hybrid breeding creates improved trees that are more tolerant to diseases, thrive in various environments, and are more resilient in tomorrow’s ever-changing climate.
Damien Naidu, General Manager of Research, Planning and Nurseries South Africa