Stora Enso’s comment on the Greenpeace report on certification systems

The role of certification systems for land-based commodities in preventing deforestation has been recently challenged by the Greenpeace report “Destruction: Certified” (available at Destruction: Certified - Greenpeace International).

Stora Enso agrees with the need to protect and manage the world’s forest in a sustainable manner and that deforestation must be stopped. We see forest certification as an important tool to promote and verify sustainable forest management and actively participates in the development of forest certification schemes and standards.

However, we acknowledge that the current level of application of certification schemes alone do not ensure that deforestation is stopped. In certain regions a range of other tools and interventions are needed.

Stora Enso has a clear stance against deforestation. To ensure that all wood and fiber we use originate from sustainably managed forest and never contribute to deforestation, we have third-party verified traceability systems in place to ensure that all wood and fiber we use originate from sustainably managed forests. We acknowledge the need for more than one forest certification system within certain regions due to variations in local conditions. The systems applied today in the regions where Stora Enso operates include FSC* and PEFC.

Our policy on Wood and Fiber Sourcing, and Land Management covers the entire cycle of forest and tree plantation management. The policy requires sustainable forest management through responsible sourcing and land use. Sustainable forestry safeguards forest health and productivity, helps combat climate change, protects biodiversity – and secures the long-term availability of our renewable raw material. 

* FSC® trademark license number FSC-N001919