On behalf of the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) and its members, we are honored to present our industry’s achievements for the Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 sustainability initiative. Nearly a decade ago, AF&PA members introduced a set of sustainability goals that continue to demonstrate a commitment to improving the environment. Today, we have many reasons to be proud. We achieved most of our goals, including progress toward a safety vision of zero injuries. Since 2006, we have improved our incidence rate by 38.4 percent. The paper and wood products industry also was among the first to take voluntary action to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In 2011, we publicly announced the adoption of a GHG sustainability goal to be achieved by the end of the decade. The original GHG sustainability goal was to reduce the intensity of the industry’s emissions by at least 15 percent. When members surpassed that goal, we again raised the bar, increasing it to 20 percent, which we have now successfully achieved And this year, our industry rose to an unexpected challenge — the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. While we focused first on the safety of our employees, we also navigated supply chain disruption as we successfully met the needs of customers who depend on us for essential products. AF&PA and our supply chain partners worked with federal and state officials to obtain an “essential” status for the industry as COVID-19 emerged. To this day, our mission remains critically important, grounded in a core set of principles and values, The pandemic has reinforced the role our industry plays in producing essential products for safe and healthy living. Our employees maintain an essential position, manufacturing items of critical need. And our member companies remain an essential Together, we continue to rise to every occasion — whether it is a goal we set for ourselves or challenges we face in the global marketplace. Our members are constantly striving to reach new limits of possibility. We both have the privilege to lead AF&PA at such a defining moment. And, while we celebrate the progress made as an industry, we see a greater purpose in our collective commitment to work that strengthens our resilience and impact for a The full sustainability report with highlights of our members’ sustainability progress is available for download here. AF&PA invites you to review our sustainability performance and we welcome your feedback. We look forward to continuing this meaningful work ahead. Heidi Brock Mark Sutton The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance a sustainable U.S. pulp, paper, packaging, tissue and wood products manufacturing industry through fact-based public policy and marketplace advocacy. AF&PA member companies make products essential for everyday life from renewable and recyclable resources and are committed to continuous improvement through the industry’s sustainability initiative — Better Practices, Better Planet 2020. The forest products industry accounts for approximately four percent of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufactures nearly $300 billion in products annually and employs approximately 950,000 men and women. The industry meets a payroll of approximately $55 billion annually and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 45 states. Visit AF&PA online at afandpa.org or follow us on Twitter @ForestandPaper.Better Practices, Better Planet 2020
Advancing the Sustainability of an Essential Industry
with a 23.2 percent reduction.
including sustainability and workplace safety.
part of our nation’s economy. They also are helping to respond and support others, donating supplies to communities greatly affected by COVID-19.
brighter future.
AF&PA President and CEO
AF&PA Board Chair
President & CEO, International PaperAbout Us