(UPM, Helsinki 22 October at 10:30) – UPM has developed a global biodiversity programme that aims to maintain and increase natural biodiversity on UPM forest land, and to promote best practices in forestry and wood sourcing. UPM's biodiversity programme is regarded as a front-runner and is being showcased at the UN COP 10 biodiversity conference in Nagoya, Japan in October.
Around the world there is growing recognition that biological diversity is a global asset of huge value to present and future generations. At the same time, the threat to species and ecosystems has never been as great as it is today. The United Nations declared 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity.
"As the Biofore company, our operations are based on the sustainable utilisation of woody biomass. This means that biodiversity is our business. We have dedicated professionals in each country who are implementing our biodiversity programme and carrying out innovative projects aimed at promoting biodiversity as part of sustainable forest management,” says Mr Robert Taylor, Environmental Director, Engineered Materials and Functions, UPM. "Our projects are also being used by other organisations as case studies, for example by WWF in the New Generation Plantations Project and the German Business and Biodiversity Initiative."
UPM's biodiversity 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.
The Nagoya event has created much interest globally amongst political leaders and the general public. In Japan, society values nature and a sustainable lifestyle. Concerns about environmental degradation are rapidly rising. For any company to be successful in Japan, it must demonstrate the environmental sustainability of its products and communicate it widely," says Mr Timo Varhama, General Manager, UPM Japan.
In addition to the global biodiversity programme, UPM is presenting its paper, label, timber and UPM ProFI products at the conference.
For further information please contact:
Robert Taylor, Environmental Director, Engineered Materials and Functions, UPM tel: +358 40 5148866
Timo Varhama, General Manager, UPM Japan, tel: +81 3 5778 2662.
www.upm.com
www.upmbiofore.com
www.upm-japan.com
www.upmforestlife.com
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 23,000 people and it has production facilities in 15 countries. In 2009, UPM's sales amounted to EUR 7.7 billion. UPM's shares are listed on the Helsinki stock exchange. UPM – The Biofore Company – www.upm.com
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.unep.org/iyb
WWF New Generation plantation project
The New Generation Plantations Project responds to a growing need for a better understanding of the role that plantations can play in forest landscapes, by collecting examples of well-managed and appropriately located plantations, as key features of healthy, diverse and multi-functional forest landscapes, compatible with biodiversity conservation and human needs.
www.newgenerationplantations.com
GTZ 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