Environmental

Amcor, a global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging solutions, announced the publication of its Decarbonization Roadmap to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Amcor's targets are aligned with the latest climate science aiming to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius and validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

Hygiene and health company Essity's targets to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 have been validated by Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The validation applies to all near- and long-term targets in Scope 1, 2, and 3. The roadmap has been developed as part of the U.N. Global Compact's "Business Ambition for 1.5°C".

Healthy forests are essential to a healthy future for our planet: they mitigate climate change through carbon sequestration, clean our water and provide habitat that wildlife populations need to thrive. With more than 1.6 billion people reliant on them for their livelihoods, forests also deliver substantial economic benefits. And at International Paper, forests are at the heart of everything we do.

Nature has rapidly risen in the global sustainability agenda and is soon, if not already now, sharing the top place with climate. This new focus is driving businesses to recognize their deep economic dependence on natural resources, with over half of the global GDP--around $44 trillion--moderately or highly reliant on nature.

Metsä Group's production units annually generate around 12 million tonnes of wood-based carbon dioxide, and the company is increasingly focusing on promoting its large-scale capture.

Sappi has awarded GAW technologies with an order to increase the efficiency of production processes - in detail to expand the storage of starch as well as a retrofitting / boosting of efficiency for pigment tanks at its Ehingen mill in Germany.

The bond matures in August 2034 and pays a fixed annual coupon of 3.375% and is rated BBB+ by S&P Global Ratings.

Industries are increasingly adopting circularity and advanced waste treatment methods to mitigate their environmental impact. The move towards a circular economy involves systemic change and rethinking production processes to minimize waste generation, promote recycling, and extend the lifecycle of materials.

DS Smith's Recyclability Evaluation Service (RES) has launched for businesses of all sizes.

Sustainable consumer packaging company Graphic Packaging has entered into a virtual power purchase agreement with Zelestra, marking a significant step in its sustainability journey.

International Paper (IP) reaffirms its dedication to conserving forest ecosystems, nature and biodiversity with a $15.3 million investment to renew strategic alliances with key conservation partners, including the American Forest Foundation (AFF), National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and World Wildlife Fund (WWF). These collaborations are pivotal to IP's business strategy.

Lenzing receives highest CSR rating from EcoVadis for the fourth time in a row.

Metsä Group's pulp and sawmill business has once again achieved EcoVadis's highest level of recognition, the Platinum rating, for its sustainability efforts. Since 2019, Metsä Fibre has consistently been among the top one percent of pulp, paper, and cardboard manufacturers evaluated by EcoVadis. The company received particularly high marks (90 out of 100 points) for its responsible sourcing practices.

International Paper has an integrated board and executive-level governance structure to oversee and set the tone on Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) topics across our businesses. The full board periodically reviews components of our sustainability strategy and performance including material ESG developments and issues.

UPM Energy makes the second phase investment in its innovative ultracapacitor project, which will further strengthen the ability of hydropower to balance the grid. The new installation will be located next to the Kuusankoski hydropower plant and is expected to be operational by summer 2025.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service announces a $25 million funding opportunity to reduce wildfire risk and support local businesses. The hazardous fuels transportation assistance program aims to remove hazardous fuels from national forests, expanding market opportunities and supporting local jobs. More details can be found on the Forest Service website.

The Washington Department of Ecology issued two penalties totaling $145,000 to Weyerhaeuser for stormwater violations at the company's Longview lumber mill.

Georgia-Pacific's Big Island containerboard facility in Virginia earned its first EPA ENERGY STAR® Certification for energy efficiency this year. The facility joins two other Georgia-Pacific facilities - Brewton containerboard in Brewton, Alabama, and Leaf River Cellulose in New Augusta, Mississippi in earning this prestigious recognition for environmental stewardship.

LP unveils 2024 Sustainability Report, showcasing leadership in sustainable practices.

Metsä Group, which Metsä Board is part of, has today published an updated Green Finance Framework. Metsä Group's previous Green Finance Framework is from 2019. The Framework enables the continued issuance of green debt instruments in line with the latest market practices and further integrates Metsä Group's 2030 strategic sustainability targets into financing.

Sappi Europe announces that it has cut the carbon footprint of its Galerie paper range by 55%, which is projected to reach 70% by the end of 2024.

Construction will begin in the fall, and commissioning is scheduled for 2025. The investment will allow the plant to reduce its CO2 emissions by 9,100 tons per year.

The FSC is terminating the Trademark License Agreement (TLA) of the eight certificate holders belonging to the Vinda group through a mutually agreed termination agreement. Hence, the Vinda group can no longer be associated with FSC because it was recently acquired by the Royal Golden Eagle (RGE) group. FSC disassociated from the RGE group, which includes APRIL, in August 2013.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that Clearwater Paper Corporation of Lewiston, Idaho, will pay a combined $367,088 in penalties for failing to properly report releases of hazardous chlorine emissions that occurred in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

Sustainability is core to DS Smith's purpose of redefining packaging for a changing world.