UPM's global biodiversity programme was showcased this week at the launch of the International Year of Biodiversity at the Natural History Museum in Berlin. UPM's strategical approach to safeguarding biodiversity and its biodiversity projects were part of an exhibition by the Business & Biodiversity initiative that aims to engage businesses and highlight the efforts of pioneering companies towards biodiversity protection.
The event was hosted by the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, and Federal Minister for the Environment, Norbert Röttgen. Chancellor Merkel made it clear that "the conservation of biodiversity has the same significance for society as climate change". Other key note speakers included the Executive Director of the UN Environment Program, Achim Steiner, and the Japanese Vice-Minister for the Environment, Issei Tajima, and Ahmed Djoghlaf, the Executive Secretary of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.
"As the Biofore company, biodiversity is a part of our business today. We have dedicated forestry professionals in each country who are implementing our biodiversity programme and carrying out innovative projects aimed at promoting biodiversity as part of modern forest management,” says Mr Robert Taylor, UPM’s Director for Sustainable Forestry.
UPM's global biodiversity program aims to maintain and increase biodiversity in company forests as well as integrate best practices in sustainable forestry. The programme focuses on six key elements for biodiversity: native tree species, deadwood, valuable habitats, forest structure, water and natural forests and is implemented through country level targets and action plans.
For more information please contact:
Robert Taylor, Director, Sustainable Forestry, tel.: +358 40 5148866
www.upmforestlife.com
www.upm-kymmene.com/sustainableforestry
UPM
UPM leads the integration of bio and forest industries into a new, sustainable and innovation-driven future. Our products are made of renewable raw materials and are recyclable. UPM consists of three Business Groups: Energy and pulp, Paper, and Engineered materials. The Group employs around 24,000 people and it has production facilities in 15 countries. In 2008, UPM's sales amounted to EUR 9.5 billion. UPM's shares are listed on the Helsinki stock exchange.
UPM – The Biofore Company – www.upm-kymmene.com
The Business and Biodiversity Initiative
In May 2008, Germany hosted the 9th Conference of the parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity – COP 9. The German Federal Ministry for Environment, launched the Business & Biodiversity Initiative in order to engage pioneering companies in the private sector in achieving the objectives of the Convention on Biological Biodiversity through implementation of a leadership declaration and promoting best practices in biodiversity protection.
International Year of Biodiversity
The United Nations declared 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity. The International Year of Biodiversity is a unique opportunity to increase understanding of the vital role that biodiversity plays in sustaining life on Earth. www.cbd.int/2010
