Canada Leads the World In Adopting Independent Audits of Sustainable Forest Practices

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Canada Leads the World In Adopting Independent Audits of Sustainable Forest Practices

CANADA, QUEBEC, MONTREAL, Jan. 29 -/E-Wire/-- Canadian forest products companies are driving an explosive growth in third party audits of sustainable forest practices (certification), offering the largest area of certified forest of any country in the world.

Like financial audits, forest management certification is a way of measuring and tracking sustainable forestry practices and holding a company accountable. The practice is increasingly popular with large paper and wood customers wanting assurances their supplies come from sustainable forests around the world. Canada's abundant, growing forests are the source of much paper and wood exports to the U.S., Europe and Asia, and sustain hundreds of Canadian forest communities.

"Canada has become the world leader in embracing independent certification to ensure our forests keep growing and can secure our industry 's future," said Lise Lachapelle, President and CEO of the Canadian Pulp & Paper Association (CPPA) at a news conference to kick off the industry's annual Paperweek International meeting in Montreal. "At the end of 2000, 31% or 37 million hectares of Canada's actively managed forest lands were certified by one of the four major standards used in North America. Within three years, 80% of Canadian managed forests should be certified. That's equivalent to the total landmass of Germany, Sweden, Belgium and Denmark combined."

Lachapelle noted Canada is already recognized for forest leadership, with the largest undisturbed forests on the planet and prompt regeneration of harvested areas. Last week, a global environmental study said Canada is among the top three nations in environmental sustainability and UN forest reports mirror this. Independent certifications will guarantee future forest growth and give Canada's industry a marketing advantage in the 122 countries it exports to around the globe.

"Since 1998, when CPPA's CEOs formally committed to independent audits, 100% of our companies have begun implementing standards for forest management certification," added Lachapelle. "This year, we'll focus on reporting our members' progress to governments, the public and in the marketplace."

The industry's sustainable forest management role is growing. In the last decade, CPPA members' expenditures to advance forest management have nearly tripled, through activities such as new regeneration methods, biodiversity and wildlife habitat protection, cooperation with universities and research projects.

Canadian Pulp and Paper Association

Richard Descarries, Director, Media Relations, Tel:

[REDACTED-PHONE], Cell: [REDACTED-PHONE]

http://www.open.doors.cppa.ca

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