Community engagement

With a strong global presence, Stora Enso depends on thriving and resilient communities. Beyond our own employees, we are committed to supporting the local communities nearby our operations. Our Purpose “Do Good for the People and the Planet” and our Values “Lead” and “Do What’s Right” underline our commitment to doing business responsibly in the communities in which we operate.

Engaging with local communities

Communities around our production sites and forestry operations form one of our most important stakeholder groups. Stora Enso is a significant employer, business partner, and taxpayer in its operating areas, while its investments improve local infrastructure. Our operations are heavily dependent on local communities for a skilled and competitive workforce, and for the sourcing of our most important raw material, wood. We have a long history in engaging with local communities in different local settings and cultures. The form and frequency of the engagement with local communities is shaped by the local context. In some areas, the interaction is through community representatives while others may prefer direct and inclusive contact. Many of our employees live in these communities and have a deeper understanding of the local context. We strive to manage our socio-environmental impacts responsibly in order to minimise negative impacts, maximise our positive influence, and maintain a constructive community dialogue that ensures our long-term license to operate.

Community consultations and land use

Our tree plantations and land holdings are an integral part of local land use, and therefore sustainable land use practices are defined specifically for each location. Local communities are consulted during the planning and decision-making stages of new investments. Community consultations, including Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), are a key element in Stora Enso’s human rights due diligence and forestry operations, especially concerning land leasing and indigenous peoples’ rights. Our precautionary and systematic actions to mitigate and remedy potential adverse environmental and social impacts on local stakeholders in community development and/or monitoring include:

• Due diligence, in which we evaluate the impact that the current or potential business operations may have on local communities and the environment. Community consultations are a key element of this work.
• Third-party certified management systems in place at production units that apply international standards such as ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and ISO 50001.
• Third-party forest management certification for the Group’s own forestry operations and suppliers, such as FSC and PEFC, which also include community considerations.
• When necessary, restructuring processes and the closure of operations are realised in co-operation with the authorities to support communities through related changes and to create opportunities for new business initiatives.
• Grievance mechanisms available to communities close to our operations.