Finding and Using Best Practices For Working Forests

The fiber used to make our products comes from working forests. These are forests that are harvested sustainably and then replanted over and over. More than 90 percent of International Paper’s fiber supply in the United States comes from privately-owned forests, many of which are small and family-owned. We work with landowners to ensure the responsible management of those forests.

According to The Nature Conservancy, sustainable forestry, and keeping forestlands forested, can be an important low-cost natural lever for carbon storage. This is one way we’re contributing to carbon sequestration and to the future of forests.

The supply of timber also provides steady jobs for people and communities who depend on forests for their livelihoods. We’re making sure both diverse forests and sustainably sourced products exist for future generations.

Here's How:

International Paper joined forces with the American Forest Foundation to form the Carolinas Working Forest Conservation Collaborative.

Fast Facts

• 450 landowners will be supported with technical assistance and resources to get them started in forest management
• 13,000 acres of forestland to be enhanced, restored and expanded
• 120 landowners will be certified in a recognized forest certification standard

As a member of the World Wildlife Fund’s Global Forest and Trade Network, International Paper collaborates on this initiative to eliminate illegal logging and drive improvements in forest management.

Fast Facts

• International Paper has been a member of this global network since 2013. The network of forest and trade experts in 27 countries provide technical assistance to companies on issues related to forest management, chain of custody certification, species risks and more

We’ve teamed up with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to focus on the expansion of Reduced-Impact Logging for Carbon (RIL-C), a set of practices pioneered by TNC that balance the economic needs of forest-based communities and businesses with environmental goals.

Fast Facts

• RIL-C can cut up to 50 percent of CO₂ emissions in a commercial forest

We’re committed to sourcing products from responsibly managed sources, including those certified by independent third-party organizations including the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) and Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI).

Fast Facts

• 20 percent of timberland in the U.S. is certified by reputable third-party verified systems

Since 2012, International Paper’s wood sourcing business in France has helped more than 700 landowners implement sustainable forestry management practices.

Fast Facts

• 425,000 metric tons of FSC® wood has been supplied to our Saillat mill since 2012.

More information on forestry in the U.S., Europe, and Brazil.

Read more on Our Renewable Future