Westrock

Overall approach

1/10
- Overarching commitment on deforestation
  
  0/4
  
  Overall commitment
  
  No overarching deforestation commitment
  
  0/4
  
  "WestRock is committed to sustainable forestry practices and the responsible procurement of wood fiber which promote healthy and productive forests for future generations. WestRock is committed to maintain certifications to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) Requirements for the (2015-2019) Program, the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) FSCC104002, Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification™ (PEFC™), Brazilian Forest Certification Program (CERFLOR) standards and the American Tree Farm System® Group Certification process."
  
  Open source document
- Signatory to an initiative tackling deforestation
  
  0/1
- Awareness of the value of forests
  
  1/1
  
  Awareness
  
  Yes
  
  1/1
  
  "Forests provide so much more than fiber and wood; they are a habitat for wildlife, they provide clean water, sequester carbon and improve air quality. We support responsible land management practices by integrating the growing and harvesting of trees with the protection and conservation of soil, air and water quality; biological diversity; wildlife and aquatic habitats; recreational and aesthetic properties; and forests with high conservation value."
  
  Open source document
- Deforestation as a business risk
  
  0/1
- High-level management of deforestion
  
  0/1
- Executive compensation linked to deforestation
  
  Executive compensation
  
  No
  
  0/0
  
  Does it disclose the percentage of pay at risk?: No
- Target to reduce emissions from land-use change
  
  0/1
- Reporting on emissions from land-use change
  
  0/1
- Disclosure of conservation activity
- Disclosure of reforestation activity
- Target to reduce emissions in scope 1/2
  
  Reduce emissions
  
  Yes
  
  0/0
  
  Type of climate target: Other or unclear
  
  What is the target date for the company to achieve their climate target?: 2030
  
  Is this target aligned with/verified by SBTi?: Yes
  
  "TARGET A validated science-based target to reduce our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 27.5% by 2030. MEASUREMENT Reduce absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions by 27.5% by 2030 from a 2019 base year.4"
  
  Open source document
Commodity score

23/90
- Pulp & Paper
  
  23/90
  - Commitment Strength
    
    6/17
    - Commitment to protect priority forests
      
      6/9.5
      - Commitment details
        Credible certification scheme
        
        2/6
        
        Commitment to protect priority forests
        
        Credible certification scheme
        
        2/6
        
        When was this commitment set?: 2020
        
        What paper/pulp product does their commitment apply to?: Paper products; Pulp; Packaging
        
        Which certification schemes are used?: FSC; PEFC
        
        Does the company have a commitment to the protection of other specific named ecosystems?: Other ecosystem
        
        Type of sustainability commitment: Reduce the volume of virgin wood fibre used in paper and packaging products through usage of recycled content
        
        "Globally, approximately 99% of our wholly owned fiber-based manufacturing facilities are chain-of-custody certified to internationally recognized standards such as SFI, PEFC® and FSC. Our commitment is to incorporate the remainder by the end of FY2022.""[...]"WestRock is committed to sustainable forestry practices and the responsible procurement of wood fiber which promote healthy and productive forests for future generations. WestRock is committed to maintain certifications to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) Requirements for the (2015-2019) Program, the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) FSCC104002, Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification™ (PEFC™), Brazilian Forest Certification Program (CERFLOR) standards and the American Tree Farm System® Group Certification process."[...]"ARGET Promote sustainable forestry and seek to ensure that the forests where we operate remain forest positive. We will achieve these goals through conservation initiatives that promote sound forest management by private landowners. MEASUREMENT Source 100% of virgin fiber from responsibly managed forests. Invest in the future of sustainable forestry by supporting certification of 1.5 million acres of forestland to recognized forest management standards by 2030. Engage with 10,000 private landowners and their stakeholders to provide education, guidance and support for sustainable management of their forestlands by 2030."
        
        Open source document
        Open source document
      - Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
        Yes
        
        2/2
        
        Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
        
        Yes
        
        2/2
        
        "Globally, approximately 99% of our wholly owned fiber based manufacturing facilities are chain-of-custody certified to internationally recognized standards such as SFI, PEFC® and FSC. Our commitment is to incorporate the remainder by the end of FY2022."
        
        Open source document
      - Target date
        2022
        
        1/1
        
        Target date
        
        2022
        
        1/1
        
        What actions or steps are identified for time-bound implementation?: incorporate certification into supply chain
        
        "Globally, approximately 99% of our wholly owned fiber based manufacturing facilities are chain-of-custody certified to internationally recognized standards such as SFI, PEFC® and FSC. Our commitment is to incorporate the remainder by the end of FY2022."
        
        Open source document
      - Interim target date
        NA (target date current or achieved or 2023)
        
        0.5/0.5
        
        Interim target date
        
        NA (target date current or achieved or 2023)
        
        0.5/0.5
        
        What date is given for the interim milestone?: Current
        
        "Globally, approximately 99% of our wholly owned fiber based manufacturing facilities are chain-of-custody certified to internationally recognized standards such as SFI, PEFC® and FSC. Our commitment is to incorporate the remainder by the end of FY2022."
        
        Open source document
    - Commitment to a traceable supply chain
      
      0/7.5
      - Commitment details
        No traceability commitment
        
        0/4
      - Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
        No
        
        0/2
      - Target date
        Post 2050 or no target date
        
        0/1
      - Interim target date
        No
        
        0/0.5
  - Associated Human Rights Abuses
    
    4/17
    - Labour rights in the supply chain
      Yes
      
      3/3
      
      Labour rights in the supply chain
      
      Yes
      
      3/3
      
      Details of commitment: Discrimination; Forced labour; Child labour; Freedom of association
      
      How far back in the supply chain does this commitment apply?: tier 1
      
      "WestRock requires its suppliers to comply with applicable laws and regulations of the countries where they do business, without the use of forced labor or child labor."[...] "We utilize the WestRock Principles of Conduct to ensure the materials used in our manufacturing operations are responsibly sourced, in accordance with standards for environmental protection, human rights, labor and social norms, as well as anti-discrimination and anti-corruption policies"; "Freedom of Association: Suppliers shall recognize and respect the right of workers to associate freely or organize as permitted by applicable laws and regulations and to be free to raise concerns related to employment issues." [...] "Suppliers shall keep the work environment free from recognized hazards and assure compliance with all applicable laws regarding working conditions, including worker health and safety, sanitation, fire safety, risk protection and electrical, mechanical and structural safety" [..] " WestRock requires that Suppliers compensate employees in compliance with all laws and regulations relating to minimum wages, overtime, piece work, employee benefits, maximum hours worked per day or maximum days worked per week."
      
      Open source document
    - Inclusion of small-scale farmers
      No
      
      0/2
    - Gender equality in the supply chain
      Commitment to address gender related labour rights including discrimination and harassment
      
      1/2
      
      Gender equality in the supply chain
      
      Commitment to address gender related labour rights including discrimination and harassment
      
      0.5/2
      
      "Discrimination is not Permitted: WestRock will not tolerate discrimination by Suppliers of their workers on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, social and ethnic origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, creed or political belief, disability, sexual orientation or any other basis prohibited by law."
      
      Open source document
    - Commitment to remediation
      No
      
      0/1
    - Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
      No
      
      0/3
    - Commitment to resolve land conflicts
      No
      
      0/3
    - Zero-tolerance approach to violence and threats
      No
      
      0/3
  - Implementation and Reporting
    
    14/56
    - Reporting volumes against commitments
      Unclear proportion of compliant commodity volume disclosed
      
      0/3
      
      Reporting volumes against commitments
      
      Unclear proportion of compliant commodity volume disclosed
      
      0/3
      
      What is the compliant volume?: NA
      
      How much of this upstream deforestation is in protected areas, primary forests, intact forest landscapes, and/or peatlands?: NA
      
      What is the proportion of total commodity volume sourced with known deforestation/conversion risk?: NA
      
      What is the volume with unknown deforestation/conversion risk? Disaggregated by product type or use as relevant.: NA
      
      What is the non-certified/non-compliant volume?: NA
      
      What is the certified volume?: NA
      
      How many hectares of deforestation and/or conversion have occurred since the commitment cut-off date on land owned, controlled, or managed by the company?: NA
      
      How many hectares of land owned, controlled or managed is certified?: NA
      
      Does the company report on the degree of compliance/progress with commitments, disaggregated by relevant factors such as origin or supply chain stage?: No
      
      How many hectares of deforestation and/or conversion have occurred since the commitment cut-off date in the operations of the company's direct or indirect suppliers?: NA
      
      How much of this downstream deforestation is in protected areas, primary forests, intact forest landscapes, and/or peatlands?: NA
    - Reporting is independently verified
      
      0/2
      
      Reporting is independently verified
      
      0/2
      
      For what percent of the company's supply volume is third-party verification of performance relative to commitments conducted?: NA
      
      What methods are used for verification?: FSC certification
      
      Is the performance of compliance of some suppliers, sources, or origins not verified, and if so why not?: NA
      
      Which tools, approaches, third-party verification, including certification, schemes are used?: FSC certification
      
      Which processes or groups does the company use for third party verification?: Third-party certification
      
      What percent of the company's supply volume is verified using company verification systems?: 99%
      
      Open source document
    - Suppliers aligned with deforestation commitments across supply chain
      No
      
      0/3
    - Deforestation cut off date
      No
      
      0/2
    - Collaborative actions
      No
      
      0/2
    - Jurisdictional approach focused on sustainable land use
      No
      
      0/2
    - Risk assessments for forest risk
      No
      
      0/2
    - Operations assessed to comply with law
      Yes
      
      2/2
      
      Operations assessed to comply with law
      
      Yes
      
      2/2
      
      "Compliance with Laws is Required: WestRock Suppliers must operate their businesses in full compliance with all applicable laws, codes, rules and regulations of the countries, provinces, states, regions and municipalities in which they operate."[...]"We expect our Suppliers to develop and implement appropriate internal business processes to ensure compliance with these Principles. WestRock routinely utilizes independent thirdparties to assess Suppliers’ compliance with these Principles. These assessments generally include confidential interviews with on-site workers. If a Supplier fails to uphold any aspect of the Principles, the Supplier is expected to implement corrective actions. WestRock reserves the right to terminate an agreement with any Supplier that cannot demonstrate that it is upholding the Principles."
      
      Open source document
    - Accessible grievance mechanism
      Yes, publicly accessible grievance mechanism
      
      2/4
      
      Accessible grievance mechanism
      
      Yes, publicly accessible grievance mechanism
      
      2/4
      
      What is the nature of the grievance mechanism used by the company?: Own mechanism
      
      Which issues does the grievance mechanism cover?: Social; Environmental
      
      "Supplier Compliance Violation Form Supplier compliance is so important to us that we regularly monitor our supplier base. If you would like more information about our supplier compliance process or would like to report possible supplier violations, please contact us using this form."
      
      Open source document
    - Report volumes of commodity
      Reporting total volume
      
      3/3
      
      Report volumes of commodity
      
      Reporting total volume
      
      3/3
      
      What product types/sectors is this in?: NA
      
      Total volume: 36,505,634 tons
      
      Reporting non-certified/non-compliant volume: NA
      
      Reporting certified/compliant volume: NA
      
      What is the non-DCF commodity volume sourced from known production areas, and proportion of total supply chain volume this represents?: NA
      
      "2021 Sustainability Report indicates that in 2021, WestRock purchased 33,138,126 tons of virgin fibre from the USA, 1,514,685 tons from Canada, and 1,852,823 tons from Brazil - for a total of 36,505,634 tons", In 2021 they also used 5,600,000 tonnes of recycled fibre.
      
      Open source document
    - Upstream: Monitor compliance with human rights
      No
      
      0/5
      
      Upstream: Monitor compliance with human rights
      
      No
      
      0/5
      
      What percentage/number of new interests, developments, or expansions has the company used FPIC to secure consent of indigenous peoples/local communities?: NA
      
      What is the status of those FPIC processes?: NA
    - Compliance of company-owned operations
      No
      
      0/5
    - Upstream: Impact assessments for land development/acquisition
      No
      
      0/4
      
      Upstream: Impact assessments for land development/acquisition
      
      No
      
      0/4
      
      For what percentage of production units has an ESIA been carried out as part of the land use planning process?: NA
      
      How does the company remedy adverse social and environmental impacts linked to their operations and/or supply chains?: NA
    - Upstream: Reporting production/processing locations
      No disclosure
      
      0/4
    - Downstream: Publishing supplier lists
      Yes, report direct suppliers
      
      2/4
      
      Downstream: Publishing supplier lists
      
      Yes, report direct suppliers
      
      2/4
      
      What is the volume of each forest risk commodity that the company sourced in the previous year from each national or subnational location?: NA
      
      For what percent is no location data disclosed?: 100%
      
      From what sub-national jurisdiction(s) does the company source material?: NA
      
      For what percent are boundaries disclosed?: 0%
      
      For what percent of smallholder suppliers is location disclosed?: NA
      
      What type of location data (boundary, point, etc.) is provided for smallholder farms?: NA
      
      Does the company disclose location of suppliers' production areas or primary processing sites?: Yes
      
      For what percent of suppliers' production areas are point locations disclosed?: 0%
      
      From what country(ies) does the company source material?: India; Malaysia; Thailand; China; South Korea; Japan; Brazil; Argentina; Chile; UK; Ireland; France; Spain; Switzerland; Belgium; Netherlands; Germany; Poland; Czech Republic; Austria; USA; Canada
      
      They provide a list of suppliers in the form of a series of drop-down menus showing suppliers from different regions.
      
      Open source document
      Open source document
    - Upstream: Monitor compliance of production/processing
      Yes, using a third-party verification system
      
      4/4
      
      Upstream: Monitor compliance of production/processing
      
      Yes, using a third-party verification system
      
      4/4
      
      For what percentage of suppliers does the company use/rely on external mechanisms to monitor compliance?: NA
      
      If so, what jurisdictions and mechanisms does the company use?: Sedex
      
      How frequently is compliance assessed?: Unknown
      
      Does the company use a jurisdictional monitoring mechanism?: No
      
      Does the company use a certification system?: Yes
      
      For what percentage of production or primary processing operations that it owns, manages, or otherwise controls does the company use external processes or actors, such as certification, to monitor compliance?: 36%
      
      For what percentage of the commodity sourced by the company is deforestation/conversion monitored at the farm level on production units known to be in the company's supply chain?: NA
      
      What tools, processes, bodies carry out monitoring of the company's production or processing operations?: Sedex global online platform
      
      "Through the Sedex global online platform, 116 WestRock sites have completed self-assessments on labor standards, health and safety, environment and business practices. These sites represent approximately 36% of our operating facilities around the world. In 2019, 20 sites completed third-party audits initiated by customers. These facilities were located in Brazil, China, Germany, Mexico, Poland, United Kingdom and the United States. Our Brazilian forestry operations are certified to both the FSC® and PEFC™ (CERFLOR®) forest certification standards. These standards include compliance with social requirements and labor practices, in areas such as employee transportation, meals and living areas. In 2019, we conducted four external audits to verify compliance with FSC® and PEFC™ (CERFLOR®) standards for forest management and chain of custody."[...]WestRock participates in several voluntary programs aimed at advancing social, environmental and economic initiatives. SEDEX Sedex is one of the world’s leading ethical trade membership organizations, working with businesses to improve working conditions in global supply chains. Global"
      
      Open source document
      Open source document
    - Upstream: Reporting hectares of deforestation
      No
      
      0/4
    - Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
      Yes, for its suppliers
      
      2/4
      
      Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
      
      Yes, for its suppliers
      
      2/4
      
      For what percentage of the commodity sourced by the company is deforestation/conversion monitored at the farm level on production units known to be in the company's supply chain?: NA
      
      What percentage of the company's supply chain volume does that represent?: NA
      
      For what percentage of suppliers does the company use/rely on external mechanisms to monitor compliance?: NA
      
      For what percent of suppliers does the company directly monitor compliance of production or processing operations?: 36%
      
      How is compliance monitored?: Internal monitoring and verification systems
      
      How frequently is compliance assessed?: Unclear
      
      "Through the Sedex global online platform and customer-initiated third-party audits, 116 WestRock sites have undergone self-assessments on labor standards,health and safety, environment and business practices. These sites represent approximately 39 percent of our operating facilities around the world.Our Brazilian forestry operations are certified to both the FSC® and PEFC™ (CERFLOR®) forest certification standards. These standards include compliance withsocial requirements and labor practices, in areas such as employee transportation, meals and living areas. In 2018, we conducted three external audits to verifycompliance with FSC® and PEFC™ (CERFLOR®) standards for forest management and chain of custody."
      
      Open source document
    - Downstream: Reporting hectares of deforestation
      No
      
      0/4
    - Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
      Engage with suppliers but with no time-bound threat of exclusion
      
      1/2
      
      Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
      
      Engage with suppliers but with no time-bound threat of exclusion
      
      1/2
      
      What criteria does the policy specify for blacklisting or exclusion?: NA
      
      Does the company commit to engage with rightsholders, Indigenous peoples and local communities when developing the implementation plan?: No
      
      What type of support does the company offer to its suppliers to help them achieve compliance with commitments?: Education programs and training efforts.
      
      Does the company engage non-compliant indirect suppliers in order to address and remedy non-compliance?: Yes
      
      Does the company work with the non-compliant supplier to develop an implementation plan to remedy associated harms or non-compliance?: No
      
      "WestRock will continually work to[...]Engage in education programs and training efforts to encourage landowners to:  Use scientific, credible sustainable forestry practices.  Regenerate forests after harvest and establish new forests on non-forest lands  Maintain and improve long-term forest growth and soil productivity.  Protect water bodies and the land that borders them.  Protect special sites and biological diversity.  Incorporate aesthetic consideration into activities where visual impacts are a concern.  Control invasive exotic plants, animals and insects.  Manage lands of special significance in a manner appropriate to their unique qualities.  Manage harvest residue which considers economic, social and environmental factors and other utilization needs.  Reduce wildfire risk.  Use qualified logging professionals; and  Implement guidance for forests with exceptional conservation value."
      
      Open source document
    - Downstream: Disclosure of non-compliant suppliers
      No disclosure
      
      0/2
Commitment strength

6/17

Avg. score
Implementation and Reporting

14/56

Avg. score
Associated Human Rights Abuses

4/17

Avg. score

Profile

WestRock manufactures and sells paper and packaging solutions on a global scale. Westrock is selected as a powerbroker for pulp & paper.

Sector

Industry sector

Paper Packaging

Segments

Producer, Trader, Processor, Manufacturer

United States

Company Type

Company type

Collective Commitments

Consumer Goods Forum member

New York Declaration on Forests signatory

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.

Full corporate sector performance data Forest 500 assessment methodology

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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.

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Westrock

Total

Score:

Total score:

24%

Profile

How we assess the Forest 500

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Westrock

Total

Score:

Total score: 24%

Profile

How we assess the Forest 500

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Total score:

24%