Helsinki (News release) -- UPM has been recognized with a triple 'A' score for its performance and transparent reporting on climate change, forests and water security by the global environmental non-profit CDP. Out of nearly 15,000 companies scored, UPM is one of only 12 companies that achieved the triple 'A'.

"As a global forest industry company, all three angles of CDP are very important for us," says Sami Lundgren, Vice President, Responsibility, UPM.

UPM's climate action combines sustainable forestry, ambitious emission reduction targets and innovative, renewable products that can replace fossil-based materials and products. "Sustainable use of forests is the basis for our business and our global Forest Action programme takes a holistic, global view on the impact of forestry, combining long-term targets and measures as well as tangible actions on climate, biodiversity, soil, water and social contribution. Reducing our reliance of fossil fuels and materials is crucial. We managed to reduce our fossil CO₂ emissions by 8% last year and we are aligned with the -65% 2030 emission reduction target," Lundgren explains.

As a water intensive industry, UPM's focus is on constantly reducing its water use and effluent load and increasing the use of recycled nutrients in its effluent treatment plants. The water risks are also assessed regularly both short and long term, and the assessments confirm that the company's production sites are located in areas with low or medium basin risk.

"COP 27 showed the need for transformational change is more critical than ever if we are to limit warming to 1.5°C," says Maxfield Weiss, Executive Director, CDP Europe. "We must cut emissions by half and eliminate deforestation by 2030, alongside achieving water security on the same timescale. There is no route to 1.5°C without nature," he continues.

"The CDP A List companies are showing they are ahead of the game - taking clear action to reduce emissions and to address environmental impacts throughout their value chains. This is the type of environmental transparency and action we need economy-wide to prevent ecological collapse''.

Nearly 20,000 companies disclosed their environmental data this year. CDP's annual environmental disclosure and scoring process is widely recognised as the gold standard of corporate environmental transparency. In 2022, over 680 investors with over US$130 trillion in assets and 280 major purchasers with US$6.4 trillion in procurement spend requested companies to disclose data on environmental impacts, risks and opportunities through CDP's platform. A record-breaking 18,700 companies responded.

The full list of companies that made this year's CDP A List is available here:
https://www.cdp.net/en/companies/companies-scores