The flow of progress
Water is an amazingly dynamic material, continuously on the move in a cycle of evaporation, condensation, precipitation and runoff back to sees and lakes. As water flows through the water cycle it fuels most life and ecosystems on the planet.
Water also flows through every part of our business. It flows in and out of our production processes, it passes through our forests where trees and the forest floor help to purify and regulate its movement. We even leverage its flow to create an important source of clean renewable energy.
But water is also critical for human existence, a crucial element of day-to-day life in all of the communities in which we operate. Water scarcity is a major global challenge that manifests itself at a local and regional level, and today over one billion people have no access to fresh water.
This puts a great responsibility on companies like us who need a considerable amount of water for production processes. But it’s also an exciting opportunity for our business as a force for good. Seventy-five percent of clean fresh water comes from forested watersheds and our footprint and expertise in forestry put us at the heart of natural water cycles wherever we operate. Our most water intensive production plants are located in areas where there is sufficient water available.
Whereever water flows through our business, it matters
It follows that wherever water flows through our business we should seek to make the most of it. That’s why, when it comes to water we apply circular thinking. Just like we do with any other natural resource – as a core of our Biofore strategy. But we are also working hard to protect and help restore the water resources and aquatic ecosystems that we come into contact with during our operations or in the communities where we operate.
Our aim is to always use water responsibly, and just like water we are not standing still on this commitment. We constantly strive to move forward and improve our performance - an approach guided by our ambitious 2030 responsibility targets.
As a signatory to the CEO Water Mandate we follow recognised principles of water stewardship, continually seeking to use water in a way that is environmentally sustainable, socially equitable and economically beneficial.
