Q&A With International Paper’s CSO on the Journey So Far and Vision 2030
Originally published in International Paper's 2023 Sustainability Report
Celebrating a decade with our company, Sophie Beckham is vice president and chief sustainability officer at International Paper, where she works across the enterprise to advance sustainability strategy development and the company’s Vision 2030 goal implementation. She serves on several senior leadership councils within IP, including the Global Diversity and Inclusion Council.
How have you seen IP evolve throughout its sustainability journey over the last ten years?
Over the past decade, I’ve seen sustainability become an important value driver for our customers, reinforcing our business model. During this time, consumers have grown more aware of how their choices impact the environment, creating demand for our renewable fiber-based products. Guided by Vision 2030, our sustainability framework, IP has continuously worked alongside customers and strategic partners to become a leader in renewable fiber-based solutions and to help advance a low-carbon, circular economy.
What does circularity mean to IP and how does IP’s business model contribute to the broader circular economy?
Despite having eight corners, our boxes are circular by design because we create them with the end use in mind. In other words, our boxes are designed to be recovered, recycled and reused. At International Paper, circularity begins in the forest. We know that healthy forests provide clean air and water, nurture biodiversity and mitigate the harmful impacts of climate change. That’s why we are committed to using only recovered fiber and sustainably managed wood fiber to make our products. Ultimately, we take this renewable and recovered fiber and turn it into products using circular manufacturing processes. Through internal and external collaboration, International Paper works with legislators, landowners and industry stakeholders to identify and advance renewable solutions that today’s consumers want. And finally, to help close the loop, our recycling business recovers and transforms used materials back into the global economy to create new products.
How is IP supporting a low-carbon future?
Last year, we fell short of our goals for reducing our environmental impact in water and greenhouse gas emissions. We know how important sustainable fiber-based products are to our customers and the world, and we take seriously the commitments we’ve made to be a good steward of the environment. We’ve doubled down on a roadmap to decarbonize our operations, and created a dedicated team to focus on exploring opportunities to provide low-carbon solutions. We’re working with partners to begin exploring real pathways to carbon capture and storage at our facilities.
How does International Paper’s focus on sustainability extend beyond the company’s core products and into the future?
Just as we focus on the resilience of our business, we focus on the generational resilience of natural systems, human systems and communities. In today’s often divided and complex world, it is imperative for our employees to feel safe at work, heard and seen, and ultimately using their skills and talents in work that matters to them. Diversity of opinion and thought is essential. Without it, we won’t be able to tackle the pressing issues of our current state and the future.
Guided by our Vision 2030 goal to improve the lives of 100 million people by 2030, we are extending our reach into our communities and building resilience by helping to meet their critical needs. In 2023, IP contributed nearly $20M worldwide to support charitable organizations aligned with our signature causes.
About International Paper
International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a global producer of sustainable packaging, pulp and other fiber-based products, and one of the world's largest recyclers. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., we employ approximately 39,000 colleagues globally who are committed to creating what's next. We serve customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, North Africa and Europe. Net sales for 2023 were $18.9 billion. Additional information can be found by visiting internationalpaper.com/.
About International Paper - EMEA
In Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA), International Paper focuses on the production and marketing of fiber-based packaging and specialty pulp, employing approximately 4,400 people. As a leading supplier of high-quality corrugated containers for a multitude of applications, we serve customers throughout the region from our network of two recycled containerboard mills and 23 box plants in France, Italy, Morocco, Portugal and Spain. Specialty pulp is made in Gdansk, Poland. Other products available from International Paper in the region include a variety of Kraft linerboard and other pulp products.
