UPM aims to continuously reduce water use and use water responsibly throughout the production chain. By 2020, we aim to have reduced waste water volume by 15% in pulp and paper production compared with levels in 2008.
Water is one of the main raw materials in pulp and paper making activities. Moreover, water is used as a source of power. At wood product mills and labelstock factories, the actual volume of water used in the production processes is low.
EFFLUENT REDUCTIONS
In pulp and paper making, the volume of effluent water roughly corresponds to the intake of fresh water and is, therefore, used as an indicator of water consumption. More information on UPM's pulp and paper mills' main freshwater sources and treated effluent destinations can be found at the following link.
In the last ten years, effluent volume has decreased by 40% per tonne of paper and by 10% per tonne of pulp. Using less water also means using less energy and less chemicals for purification.
FORESTS AND WATER
UPM's commitment not only covers reducing the use of water, but also minimising the impact of its operations on local water resources and safeguarding natural watercourses in its forests.
Forests and water systems are closely connected; both need each other to prosper. Natural watercourses in forests act as valuable habitats for several different species of plants and animals, and as a source of drinking water. Trees need water in order to grow; rivers and streams need trees to shade them, stabilise their banks and buffer the impact of storms.
UPM has its own global biodiversity programme, which includes guidelines for everyday forest operations in different types of aquatic ecosystems, such as springs, streams and ponds. UPM safeguards natural watercourses in forestry practices by, for example, leaving buffer zones around them.
By holding back water and reducing the speed of run off, trees also play a key role in decreasing the impact of storms. UPM undertakes long term (20-year) studies of our plantation sites to better understand the influence of the plantations on the aquatic environment at both a local and regional scale.
Successful forest management depends on careful consideration of a wide range of environmental factors. Through careful planning we minimise our environmental impact. Whenever we are planning large scale harvesting or new plantations, Environmental Impact Assessments are completed so that we understand the potential effects on water systems and are able to plan our actions accordingly.
A changing climate is likely to have a significant impact on both rainfall quantity and the frequency of storms and other abnormal rainfall events. When we manage and plan our forests we are thinking at least 10 to 20 years ahead, so we need to consider what the climate will be like in the future.