Showcase for the UN Global Compact 

Earlier this summer, Stora Enso’s sustainability work at its Chinese plantations was exhibited as an inspirational example at the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit.

The triennial Global Compact Leaders Summit is the UN’s largest gathering of business leaders. The publication launched at the summit, ”An Inspirational Guide to Implementing the Global Compact”, showcases Stora Enso’s sustainability work at its plantations in the south of Guangxi Province, China.

“I am proud that our sustainability work in China has received this recognition. We are happy to share our experiences with a wider audience of business leaders. In our case, co-operating with UN agencies can help create flourishing plantations and increase the prosperity of the surrounding communities”, comments CEO Jouko Karvinen.

Sustainability in Guangxi
Having established plantations in Southern China in 2002, Stora Enso then drew up a sustainability action plan.  A key element of the plan was the commissioning of a thorough and credible Environmental and Social Impact Assement (ESIA).

Creating a model plantation
The UN developmental arm UNDP independently conducted the ESIA in Guangxi, which was the first ever for a plantation project in China. UNDP hopes that the impact assessment will serve as a model for other plantation projects in China.

Stora Enso and UNDP have set up a partnership to benefit local communities and reduce poverty and together they will work towards implementing the key findings of the ESIA.

Signatory of Global Compact since 2002
Stora Enso has been a UN Global Compact signatory since 2002. The UN Global compact brings together companies and UN agencies and civil society to support universal environmental and social principles. Stora Enso’s progress towards the Global Compact’s principles are communicated in the Sustainability report.