International Paper

Overall approach

4/12
- Overarching commitment on deforestation
  
  0/4
- Signatory to an initiative tackling deforestation
  
  1/1
  
  Yes
  
  1/1
  
  Which initiatives?: World Business Council for Sustainable Development Forest Solutions Group; WWF Global Forest & Trade Network
  
  If Other Initiative, specify:: The Nature Conservancy, Arbor Day Foundation, The Recycling Partnership
  
  IP are members and signed up to a number of initiatives with the statements that - "International Paper recognizes the importance of strategic collaboration to make meaningful progress across our value chain. Engaging with third-party organizations helps us broaden our sustainability efforts so that together, we have a greater impact."
  
  Open source document
- Awareness of the value of forests
  
  1/1
  
  Yes
  
  1/1
  
  "A source of livelihood for millions, forests store carbon, purify drinking water and provide habitat for wildlife. They also enable us to make products people depend on every day."
  
  Open source document
- Deforestation as a business risk
  
  1/1
  
  Yes
  
  1/1
  
  Does the company recognise the risk as financial, operational, competition, reputational, or other? Please detail.: Reputational, operational
  
  "Moreover, we may be directly impacted by, and are working to manage, the risks and costs to us, our customers and our vendors of the effects of climate change, greenhouse gases, and the availability of energy and water resources. These risks include the potentially adverse impact on forestlands, which are a key resource in the production of our products, increased product costs and a change in the types of products that customers purchase. We also face risks arising from the increased public focus, including by governmental and nongovernmental organizations, on these and other environmental sustainability matters, such as packaging and waste, deforestation, and land use"
  
  Open source document
- High-level management of deforestion
  
  1/1
  
  Yes
  
  1/1
  
  International Paper has a Sustainability Committee: "The committee consists of a multidisciplinary group comprised of Manufacturing, Legal, Sustainability, Forestry, Human Resources, Communication, Business, Supply Chain, Finance and Government Relations."
  
  Open source document
- Executive compensation linked to deforestation
- Target to reduce emissions from land-use change
  
  0/2
- Reporting on emissions from land-use change
  
  0/2
- Disclosure of conservation activity
  
  Yes
  
  0/0
  
  How many hectares of conservation area are being supported or facilitated by the company on land it does not own or manage?: 1,343 hectares
  
  "For each 3 hectares of eucalyptus, the company preserves 1 hectare of natural ecosystem. By doing so, the forestry landscape retains more ecological balance, with 350 native trees species already identified and more than 400 animal species from the Brazilian fauna. [...] The company also maintains four RPPNs (Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural [Private Nature Heritage Reserve]) in the State of São Paulo, one in the process of recognition. These conservation units have a total area of 1,343 hectares. In the municipality of Mogi Guaçu, there are two areas for conservation, one with 187 hectares and one in recognition, with about 221 hectares. In the municipalities of Brotas, Espírito Santo do Pinhal and Conchal, International Paper has three other areas of 793, 50, and 92 hectares, respectively."
  
  Open source document
- Disclosure of reforestation activity
  
  Yes
  
  0/0
  
  Has a long-term conservation goal: "We’re committed to conserving and restoring one million acres of ecologically significant forestland by 2030." Also lists several restoration projects it has already contributed to: “In Brazil, 25% of the land International Paper owns is set aside and planted as indigenous forest which will never be harvested. IP Brazil has five private natural heritage reserves totalling 1,345 hectares in Sau Paulo state.” “We’ve teamed up with WWF to advance forest restoration in Brazil. The first step is a restoration in 5,584 square mile river basin called the Mogi Guacu."
  
  Open source document
- Target to reduce emissions in scope 1/2
  
  Yes
  
  0/0
  
  Type of climate target: Other or unclear
  
  What is the target date for the company to achieve their climate target?: 2020
  
  "Our goal of reducing GHG emissions by 20 percent by the end of 2020 includes both Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions."
  
  Open source document
Commodity score

29/88
- Pulp & Paper
  
  29/88
  - Commitment Strength
    
    7/20
    - Commitment to protect priority forests
      
      4/8
      - Commitment details
        Protects priority forests (including High Conservation Value)
        
        2/6
        
        Commitment to protect priority forests
        
        Protects priority forests (including High Conservation Value)
        
        2/6
        
        Which certification schemes are used?: FSC; PEFC
        
        2030 vision: "100% our fiber from sustainably managed forests or recovered fiber while safeguarding forests, watersheds and biodiversity"; "For forestlands that we own or lease, we commit to third-party certification of the forest management practices to a credible forest certification standard[..]For fiber that we purchase, we commit to sourcing according to the following principles[...] We will not accept:[...]Fiber sourced from forests in which high conservation values are threatened by forest management activities; Fiber that is non-compliant with our Chain of Custody certification requirements for forest conversions"; "We follow a Fiber Certification Policy that accepts globally recognized forest management standards. These include the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®), the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) [...]"
        
        Open source document
        Open source document
      - Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
        Yes
        
        1.3/1.3
        
        Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
        
        Yes
        
        1.3/1.3
        
        2030 vision: "100% our fiber from sustainably managed forests or recovered fiber while safeguarding forests, watersheds and biodiversity"; "For forestlands that we own or lease, we commit to third-party certification of the forest management practices to a credible forest certification standard[..]For fiber that we purchase, we commit to sourcing according to the following principles[...] We will not accept:[...]Fiber sourced from forests in which high conservation values are threatened by forest management activities; Fiber that is non-compliant with our Chain of Custody certification requirements for forest conversions"; "We follow a Fiber Certification Policy that accepts globally recognized forest management standards. These include the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®), the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) [...]"
        
        Open source document
        Open source document
      - Target date
        2028-2030
        
        0/0.7
        
        Target date
        
        2028-2030
        
        0/0.7
        
        2030 vision: "100% our fiber from sustainably managed forests or recovered fiber while safeguarding forests, watersheds and biodiversity"; "For forestlands that we own or lease, we commit to third-party certification of the forest management practices to a credible forest certification standard[..]For fiber that we purchase, we commit to sourcing according to the following principles[...] We will not accept:[...]Fiber sourced from forests in which high conservation values are threatened by forest management activities; Fiber that is non-compliant with our Chain of Custody certification requirements for forest conversions"; "We follow a Fiber Certification Policy that accepts globally recognized forest management standards. These include the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®), the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) [...]"
        
        Open source document
        Open source document
      - Interim target date
        Yes
        
        0.3/0.3
        
        Interim target date
        
        Yes
        
        0.3/0.3
        
        What date is given for the interim milestone(s)?: 2020
        
        "Vision 2020 Goal [...] Stated Goal: Increase third-party certified fiber by 35% [...] Achieved: 48% increase in certified fiber volume"
        
        Open source document
    - Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
      
      3/5
      - Commitment details
        Yes
        
        3/3
        
        Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
        
        Yes
        
        3/3
        
        Type of commitment: Recycled content
        
        "We rely on a healthy, ongoing supply of wood through the careful management practices of our wood suppliers, and we use fiber that has been recovered. In the United States, we recover, process, or facilitate the sale of more than 6 million tons of recovered fiber each year, making us one of the larger recyclers of paper in the country".
        
        Open source document
      - Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
        No
        
        0/1.3
        
        Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
        
        No
        
        0/1.3
        
        If no, what is excluded?: Subsidary
        
        Only in USA
      - Target date
        2028-2030
        
        0/0.7
        
        Target date
        
        2028-2030
        
        0/0.7
        
        "Source 100% our fiber from sustainably managed forests or recovered fiber while safeguarding forests, watersheds and biodiversity"
        
        Open source document
      - Interim target date
        Yes
        
        0.3/0.3
        
        Interim target date
        
        Yes
        
        0.3/0.3
        
        "Vision 2020 goal [...] Stated Goal: Increase recovery of old corrugated containers (OCC) by 15% by exploring new sources and diverting usable fiber from landfills [...] Achieved: 66% increase in recovery of OCC"
        
        Open source document
    - Commitment to a traceable supply chain
      
      0/6
      - Commitment details
        No traceability commitment
        
        0/4
      - Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
        No
        
        0/1.3
      - Target date
        No target date
        
        0/0.7
      - Interim target date
        No
        
        0/0.3
  - Social Considerations
    
    4/18
    - Labour rights in the supply chain
      Yes
      
      4/4
      
      Labour rights in the supply chain
      
      Yes
      
      4/4
      
      Details of commitment: UN Declaration for HR; Discrimination; Forced labour; Child labour; Freedom of association
      
      Supplier Code of Conduct states that suppliers must adhere to the following standards: "Suppliers are expected to keep their workplaces free of harassment [...] and discrimination [...] Freedom of Association. Suppliers must respect the right of their employees to join or not to join any lawful association without fear of retaliation [...] Suppliers shall only employ workers with a legal right to work. Illegal child labor and forced labor are forbidden in any circumstance." In its Human Rights Statement, IP states that "International Paper respects international principles of human rights including those expressed in the UN Declaration of Human Rights" and that "We take steps to assure that our key suppliers understand the standards that we apply to ourselves and expect from those who do business with us."
      
      Open source document
      Open source document
    - Inclusion of small-scale farmers
      No
      
      0/4
    - Gender equality in the supply chain
      No commitment
      
      0/4
    - Commitment to remediation
      No
      
      0/2
    - Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
      No
      
      0/4
    - Commitment to resolve land conflicts
      No
  - Reporting and Implementation
    
    18/50
    - Reporting against commitments
      
      0/2
      - Commitment to protect priority forests
        Yes, for all commodity exposure
        
        1.7/1.7
        
        Commitment to protect priority forests
        
        Yes, for all commodity exposure
        
        1.7/1.7
        
        "Vision 2020 Goal [...] Stated Goal: Increase third-party certified fiber by 35% [...] Achieved: 48% increase in certified fiber volume"
        
        Open source document
      - Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
        Yes, for partial or unclear commodity exposure
        
        0.8/1.7
        
        Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
        
        Yes, for partial or unclear commodity exposure
        
        0.8/1.7
        
        "Vision 2020 goal [...] Stated Goal: Increase recovery of old corrugated containers (OCC) by 15% by exploring new sources and diverting usable fiber from landfills [...] Achieved: 66% increase in recovery of OCC"
        
        Open source document
      - Commitment to a traceable supply chain
        No
        
        0/1.7
    - Reporting is independently verified
      
      0/1
      - Commitment to protect priority forests
        Yes, using a third-party verification scheme or certification scheme.
        
        1/1
        
        Commitment to protect priority forests
        
        Yes, using a third-party verification scheme or certification scheme.
        
        1/1
        
        Which tools, approaches, third-party verification, including certification, schemes are used?: FSC and PEFC certification
        
        Which processes or groups does the company use for third party verification?: FSC and PEFC certification
        
        "2020 Total Certified Percentage [...] Global [...] Total Certified: 38.6% [...] FSC: 10.4% [...] PEFC: 28.2%"
        
        Open source document
      - Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
        No
        
        0/1
      - Commitment to a traceable supply chain
        No
        
        0/1
    - Suppliers aligned with deforestation commitments across supply chain
      No
      
      0/2
    - Deforestation cut off date
      No
      
      0/2
    - Collaborative actions
      Yes
      
      2/2
      
      Collaborative actions
      
      Yes
      
      2/2
      
      What initiatives does the company participate in?: They are collaborating with The Nature Conservancy on Natural Climate Solutions
      
      What is the nature of that participation?: Attending & contributing to meetings; Providing support/advice/experience/expertise
      
      "We are collaborating with The Nature Conservancy on Natural Climate Solutions, the conservation, restoration and improved forest management techniques that increase carbon storage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in managed forest landscapes. Our collaboration is supporting their Reduced-Impact Logging for Carbon (RIL-C) initiative in Gabon and Indonesia, where they are developing a set of scientific practices that balance the economic needs of forest-based communities with environmental goals. RIL-C can reduce up to 50% of CO2 emissions in a commercial forest operation."
      
      Open source document
    - Risk assessments for forest risk
      Yes
      
      2/2
      
      Risk assessments for forest risk
      
      Yes
      
      2/2
      
      How frequently are assessments conducted?: not disclosed
      
      Lists "Sustainable forestry and ongoing supply of wood fiber" as one of its "Risks and Opportunities" in 2013 Sustainability Report. "We plan a continued review and deliberate improvements to maintain a strong supply-chain risk management process. This work will build upon our current robust processes, which include: [...] Supplier Risk Assessment Matrix screening that captures supply disruption, financial stability, alternative supply sources, and material substitution [...] Fiber supplier audits and checks performed by three separate groups: International Paper’s Global Sourcing Fiber Supply and EHS&S departments, and the international third-party auditor, Bureau Veritas."
      
      Open source document
    - Operations assessed to comply with law
      No
      
      0/2
    - Accessible grievance mechanism
      No
      
      0/4
    - Report volumes of commodity
      Reporting total volume
      
      2/2
      
      Report volumes of commodity
      
      Reporting total volume
      
      2/2
      
      Total/partial volume reported: 25,829 tons
      
      For 2020, International Paper reported sales of: 18,655 tons of Industrial Packaging, 3,676 tons of Global cellulose fibers and 3,498 tons of printing paper.
      
      Open source document
    - Report verified volumes of commodity
      1-49%
      
      2/6
      
      Report verified volumes of commodity
      
      1-49%
      
      2/6
      
      For what percent of the company's supply volume is third-party verification of performance relative to commitments conducted?: 38.60%
      
      What is the certified volume?: 9,970 tons
      
      What is the compliant volume?: 9,970 tons
      
      What third-party verification is used?: FSC and PEFC
      
      2020 Total Certified Percentage: North America, Total Certified: 33.3%, FSC: 3.8%, PEFC: 29.5%; EMEA, Total Certified: 64.2%, FSC: 34.2%, PEFC: 30%; Brazil, Total Certified: 85.8%, FSC: 85.8%; Global, Total Certified: 38.6%, FSC: 10.4%, PEFC: 28.2%.; For 2020, International Paper reported sales of: 18,655 tons of Industrial Packaging, 3,676 tons of Global cellulose fibers and 3,498 tons of printing paper.
      
      Open source document
      Open source document
    - Upstream: Monitor compliance with human rights
      No
      
      0/4
    - Upstream: Impact assessments for land development/acquisition
      Yes
      
      4/4
      
      Upstream: Impact assessments for land development/acquisition
      
      Yes
      
      4/4
      
      "As part of International Paper’s strategic sourcing process, our sourcing teams conduct a pre-contract risk assessment based on the principles of our Supplier Code of Conduct and other risk factors. The assessment provides transparency and highlights areas of potential social, environmental and financial risk. After the initial pre-contract risk assessment and contracting with a supplier, we take a deeper look into their potential risks through the use of our risk assessment tool. We continue to assess suppliers for risk via a third-party survey platform. Dependent on the survey results, we may initiate a third-party on-site audit to take a closer look at the supplier. Both the survey and audit are a means to monitor our supply chain and verify compliance to our Supplier Code of Conduct. Our buyers use the feedback from these surveys and audits to help suppliers create action plans for continuous improvement."
      
      Open source document
    - Upstream: Reporting production/processing locations
      No disclosure
      
      0/4
    - Downstream: Publishing supplier lists
      No
      
      0/4
    - Upstream: Monitor compliance of production/processing
      Yes, using an internal verification system
      
      4/4
      
      Upstream: Monitor compliance of production/processing
      
      Yes, using an internal verification system
      
      4/4
      
      What tools, processes, bodies carry out monitoring of the company's production or processing operations?: Internal assessment tool
      
      How frequently is compliance assessed?: annually
      
      Does the company use a certification system?: No
      
      Does the company use a jurisdictional monitoring mechanism?: No
      
      "We monitor supply chain risk through annual sustainability surveys that cover all aspects of our Supplier Code of Conduct: ethics, safety, labor and environmental compliance. [...] At International Paper, our global supply chain sustainability team creates and implements compliance and risk management strategies.Throughout our global supply chain, we promote:[...] • Responsible use of natural resources. After the initial pre-contract risk assessment and contracting with a supplier, we take a deeper look into their potential risks through the use of our risk assessment tool. We continue to assess suppliers for risk via a third-party survey platform. Dependent on the survey results, we may initiate a third-party on-site audit to take a closer look at the supplier. Both the survey and audit are a means to monitor our supply chain and verify compliance to our Supplier Code of Conduct."
      
      Open source document
    - Upstream: Reporting hectares of deforestation
      No
      
      0/4
    - Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
      Yes, for its suppliers
      
      3/4
      
      Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
      
      Yes, for its suppliers
      
      3/4
      
      Details of monitoring: Using internal monitoring and verification systems
      
      What percentage of the company's supply chain volume does that represent?: 100%
      
      How frequently is compliance assessed?: Not specified
      
      "As part of International Paper’s strategic sourcing process, our sourcing teams conduct a pre-contract risk assessment based on the principles of our Supplier Code of Conduct and other risk factors. The assessment provides transparency and highlights areas of potential social, environmental and financial risk. After the initial pre-contract risk assessment and contracting with a supplier, we take a deeper look into their potential risks through the use of our risk assessment tool. We continue to assess suppliers for risk via a third-party survey platform. Dependent on the survey results, we may initiate a third-party on-site audit to take a closer look at the supplier. Both the survey and audit are a means to monitor our supply chain and verify compliance to our Supplier Code of Conduct. Our buyers use the feedback from these surveys and audits to help suppliers create action plans for continuous improvement."
      
      Open source document
    - Downstream: Reporting hectares of deforestation
      No
      
      0/4
    - Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
      Engage with suppliers with a time-bound threat of exclusion
      
      2/2
      
      Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
      
      Engage with suppliers with a time-bound threat of exclusion
      
      2/2
      
      What criteria does the policy specify for blacklisting or exclusion?: "Extreme cases" of non-compliance
      
      Does the company engage non-compliant indirect suppliers in order to address and remedy non-compliance?: Yes
      
      What type of support does the company offer to its suppliers to help them achieve compliance with commitments?: Provides feedback from surveys and audits which can be used to create action plans for continuous improvement
      
      "After the initial pre-contract risk assessment and contracting with a supplier, we take a deeper look into their potential risks through the use of our risk assessment tool. We continue to assess suppliers for risk via a third-party survey platform. Dependent on the survey results, we may initiate a third-party on-site audit to take a closer look at the supplier. Both the survey and audit are a means to monitor our supply chain and verify compliance to our Supplier Code of Conduct. Our buyers use the feedback from these surveys and audits to help suppliers create action plans for continuous improvement [...] In extreme cases, International Paper reserves the right to terminate a relationship with a supplier whose values, policies or practices are not aligned with our expectations."
      
      Open source document
    - Downstream: Disclosure of non-compliant suppliers
      No disclosure
      
      0/2
Commitment strength

7/20

Avg. score
Reporting and Implementation

18/50

Avg. score
Social considerations

4/18

Avg. score

Profile

International Paper is one of the leading producers of fiber-based packaging, as well as pulp and paper, in the world. International Paper is selected as a powerbroker for pulp & paper.

Sector

Industry sector

Paper & packaging, Forestry

Segments

Producer, Trader, Processor, Manufacturer

United States

Collective Commitments

Consumer Goods Forum member

New York Declaration on Forests signatory

Top Brands

International Paper

How we assess the Forest 500

To ensure deforestation free supply chains, companies need to adopt and implement timebound and measurable policies for forest risk commodities.

All assessments use policies published on company websites, some links may have changed or been removed since the time of assessment.

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Disclaimer

This assessment has been carried out following the methodology developed for the Forest 500 project, available here. Please see our disclaimer applicable to all information contained within this site and our terms and conditions for use of data presented on this site.

All assessments use policies published on company and financial institution websites, and while we endeavor to keep them updated some links may have changed or been removed since the time of assessment.

Please contact us with any concerns or feedback about this or other assessments included in the Forest 500.