Jussi Pesonen to co-chair forest sector in World Business Council for Sustainable Development

(UPM, Helsinki, 6 November, 2013 at 10:00 EET) – UPM’s CEO Jussi Pesonen will be co-chairing the Forest Solutions Group (FSG) in 2014-2016 in World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). UPM has been a member of the WBCSD since 2012.

“The WBCSD greatly appreciates UPM’s continuing commitment and is delighted that Jussi Pesonen has decided to co-lead the Forest Solutions Group over the next three years. UPM’s leadership will provide exceptional strategic direction, driving concerted action and transforming today’s forest challenges into sustainable opportunities and solutions at scale”, says Peter Bakker, President, WBCSD.

The Council has created respected thought leadership on business and sustainability. It provides a forum to promote global sustainable solutions for its 200 member companies representing all business sectors.

“I am honoured to co-chair the Forest Solutions Group that wants to lead the way in sustainable solutions that are based on renewable biomass and forest fibre. I truly believe that the member companies can offer solutions to issues like resource scarcity, climate change and maintaining biodiversity and clean waters. A group of companies can achieve together more than one company alone”, says Jussi Pesonen.

The FSG provides business leadership in expanding sustainable forest solutions to meet the needs of people now and in the future. Members express their joint commitment to sustainable development through the FSG’s membership principles and responsibilities, balancing efforts between economic growth, ecological conservation and social progress.

Jussi Pesonen co-chairs the FSG together with Francisco Ruiz-Tagle, CEO, CMPC Forestal Mininco SA.

For further information please contact:
Päivi Salpakivi-Salomaa, Head of Environment and Responsibility, UPM, tel. +358 20 415 0396.

UPM, Corporate Communications
Media Desk, tel. +358 40 588 3284
media@upm.com
www.twitter.com/UPM_News

UPM’s Biofore vision and consistent work on corporate responsibility has recently gained recognition from different parties. UPM was again named among the world’s sustainability leaders in both the Dow Jones European and World Sustainability Indices (DJSI) for 2013-2014. In the Nordic Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index, UPM was ranked in the index with top scores: 99 points out of 100 maintaining the leadership position in its sector. www.upmresponsibility.com

Through the renewing of the bio and forest industries, UPM is building a sustainable future across six business areas: UPM Biorefining, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Paper Asia, UPM Paper Europe and North America and UPM Plywood. Our products are made of renewable raw materials and are recyclable. We serve our customers worldwide. The Group employs around 22,000 people and our annual sales exceed € 10 billion. UPM shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. UPM – The Biofore Company – www.upm.com
 

The WBCSD is a CEO-led organization of forward-thinking companies that galvanizes the global business community to create a sustainable future for business, society and the environment. From its starting point in 1992 to the present day, the Council has created respected thought leadership on business and sustainability. The Council plays the leading advocacy role for business. Leveraging strong relationships with stakeholders, it helps drive debate and policy change in favor of sustainable development solutions. The Council provides a forum for its 200 member companies - who represent all business sectors, all continents and combined revenue of over $US 7 trillion - to share best practices on sustainable development issues and to develop innovative tools that change the status quo. The Council also benefits from a network of 60 national and regional business councils and partner organizations, a majority of which are based in developing countries. - www.wbcsd.org