International Paper Expects to Meet 12 Sustainability Goals by 2020

International Paper has outlined 12 voluntary sustainability goals that it expects to meet by the end of the decade, including a 15 percent efficiency improvement in its purchased energy use. The Memphis, Tenn.-based company detailed the goals in its 2011 Sustainability Report.

These goals aim to reduce emissions as well as cut water consumption, improve the supply chain and curtail fiber loss in the manufacturing process. The 12 sustainability goals are based on a 2010 baseline.

International Paper's sustainability goals for 2020 are:

• 15 percent improvement in energy efficiency in purchased energy use;
• 20 percent absolute reduction in global GHG emissions associated with the production of its products;
• Accident-free workplace;
• 15 percent global increase in third party-certified fiber volume;
• Reduce fiber loss in the manufacturing process by hitting a target of less than 0.75 percent fiber loss;
• Reduce criteria pollutant emissions, such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter, by 10 percent;
• Cut mill wastewater discharges of oxygen depleting substances to receiving streams by 15 percent;
• Map water use through manufacturing operations by 2013;
• Develop site specific plans by 2015 in strategic watersheds to reduce use by 2020;
• Increase the recovery of old corrugated containers by 15 percent by diverting useable fiber from the landfill;
• Establish baseline supply chain performance;
• Measure and report on charitable support for education, literacy, health and human services in the regions were it operates.

International Paper says it has already invested more than $300 million toward reducing its greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Those efforts resulted in a 40 percent emissions drop from 2000 to 2010.

The paper manufacturer also generates roughly 65 percent of the electricity consumed by its global manufacturing operations. The percentage of onsite electricity generation is expected to grow once the company completes its $90 million clean energy project at the Mogi Guacu mill in Brazil.

Earlier this year, International Paper made Ethisphere's Most Ethical Companies List, which honors companies that exhibit leadership in ethics and compliance.