Responsibility

Forests are one of the Earth's most valuable resources. Forests provide a source of shelter, food and energy for both wildlife and human beings, playing a key role in biological diversity and climate.

UPM operates according to the principles of sustainable forest management. This means that the origin of wood is always known and good forest management practices are promoted.

Wood used in UPM’s products comes from sustainably managed forests and from legal sources. All wood supplies are covered by a third-party verified chain of custody (read more in here). UPM aims to use certified fibre to the highest possible degree and promotes a global increase in the use of certified wood.

Due diligence in UPM forestry operations is managed with a hierarchical approach with respect to regulations, starting from legislation (Forest Act, Nature Protection Act etc.), the Environmental Management System under ISO 14001, Forest Certification schemes and, finally, the UPM Global Biodiversity Programme. This is further enhanced by operational instructions, the continuous training of personnel and development activities.

UPM’s up-to-date Geographic Information System (GIS) guarantees that information on valuable habitats and other vulnerable areas of nature will be managed according to the stipulations and instructions during our operations.

UPM manages natural resources in three different categories by means of the following tools.

UPM owns forests in Finland, the UK, Uruguay and the USA (Minnesota), which, combined, total 1.2 million hectares. The biggest estate is in Finland, and is roughly 900,000 hectares. UPM manages other owners’ forests as an asset management service, which, combined, total 701,000 hectares. The majority of the timber delivered to UPM mills, however, comes from a UPM wood sourcing area, where UPM typically buys logging rights for operational sites, but the forest area of each individual forest owner is not known.

The ISO 14001 environmental management system covers all forest operations. Significant environmental aspects are identified and the corresponding precautionary actions defined in the ISO 14001 are carried out, resulting in a minimisation of the environmental impact, including the effect on biodiversity.

The Geographic Information System (GIS) is a geo-referenced database covering natural resources, including forests and waters. All essential data and information is stored in the system, including information about existing statutory protection areas, habitats of high biodiversity and other sensitive areas. GIS is the most important tool when forestry operations are being planned. The GIS is always updated after operations have been carried out or when new information is acquired, e.g. occurrences of threatened species, important biotopes, protection areas etc.

Forest certification is an excellent tool to promote sustainable forestry. It is based on standards drawn up during an open stakeholder process, implemented through forest management practices and verified by an independent third party. Wherever it is applied, forest certification ensures good governance, due diligence and social justice.

In 2010 of all fibre used in UPM’s production units 78 % was certified. Read more about forest certification in here. 

UPM has developed a global biodiversity programme for our own forests, which, combined, total 1.2 million hectares. The programme aims to maintain and increase biological diversity in forests, making forests full of life.

UPM'S ENVIRONMENTAL PRINCIPLE ON FORESTS

We manage forests sustainably.

 OUR TARGET BY 2020

• 80% share of certified fibre

How WILL we reach our target?

• Maximising the share of certified fibre
• Meeting UPM biodiversity program targets for managed forests