Q&A With International Paper’s CSO on the Journey So Far and Vision 2030

Rhea-AI Summary

Sophie Beckham, VP and Chief Sustainability Officer at International Paper (IP), reflects on the company's sustainability journey over the past decade. She highlights how sustainability has become a key value driver for customers, aligning with IP's business model of providing renewable fiber-based products. The company's Vision 2030 framework guides its efforts to advance a low-carbon, circular economy.

IP's approach to circularity starts in the forest, using only recovered fiber and sustainably managed wood fiber. The company is committed to decarbonizing operations and exploring carbon capture and storage opportunities. Despite falling short on some environmental goals in 2023, IP has intensified efforts to reduce its impact. The company also focuses on community resilience, contributing nearly $20M to charitable organizations in 2023 as part of its goal to improve 100 million lives by 2030.

Positive

• Sustainability has become a key value driver for customers, reinforcing IP's business model
• IP uses only recovered fiber and sustainably managed wood fiber for its products
• The company is exploring opportunities for carbon capture and storage at its facilities
• IP contributed nearly $20M to charitable organizations in 2023

Negative

• IP fell short of its goals for reducing environmental impact in water and greenhouse gas emissions in 2023

Originally published in International Paper's 2023 Sustainability Report

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 16, 2024 / Celebrating a decade with our company, Sophie Beckham is vice president and chief sustainability officer at International Paper, where she works across the enterprise to advance sustainability strategy development and the company's Vision 2030 goal implementation. She serves on several senior leadership councils within IP, including the Global Diversity and Inclusion Council.

How have you seen IP evolve throughout its sustainability journey over the last ten years?

Over the past decade, I've seen sustainability become an important value driver for our customers, reinforcing our business model. During this time, consumers have grown more aware of how their choices impact the environment, creating demand for our renewable fiber-based products. Guided by Vision 2030, our sustainability framework, IP has continuously worked alongside customers and strategic partners to become a leader in renewable fiber-based solutions and to help advance a low-carbon, circular economy.

What does circularity mean to IP and how does IP's business model contribute to the broader circular economy?

Despite having eight corners, our boxes are circular by design because we create them with the end use in mind. In other words, our boxes are designed to be recovered, recycled and reused. At International Paper, circularity begins in the forest. We know that healthy forests provide clean air and water, nurture biodiversity and mitigate the harmful impacts of climate change. That's why we are committed to using only recovered fiber and sustainably managed wood fiber to make our products. Ultimately, we take this renewable and recovered fiber and turn it into products using circular manufacturing processes. Through internal and external collaboration, International Paper works with legislators, landowners and industry stakeholders to identify and advance renewable solutions that today's consumers want. And finally, to help close the loop, our recycling business recovers and transforms used materials back into the global economy to create new products.

How is IP supporting a low-carbon future?

Last year, we fell short of our goals for reducing our environmental impact in water and greenhouse gas emissions. We know how important sustainable fiber-based products are to our customers and the world, and we take seriously the commitments we've made to be a good steward of the environment. We've doubled down on a roadmap to decarbonize our operations, and created a dedicated team to focus on exploring opportunities to provide low-carbon solutions. We're working with partners to begin exploring real pathways to carbon capture and storage at our facilities.

How does International Paper's focus on sustainability extend beyond the company's core products and into the future?

Just as we focus on the resilience of our business, we focus on the generational resilience of natural systems, human systems and communities. In today's often divided and complex world, it is imperative for our employees to feel safe at work, heard and seen, and ultimately using their skills and talents in work that matters to them. Diversity of opinion and thought is essential. Without it, we won't be able to tackle the pressing issues of our current state and the future.

Guided by our Vision 2030 goal to improve the lives of 100 million people by 2030, we are extending our reach into our communities and building resilience by helping to meet their critical needs. In 2023, IP contributed nearly $20M worldwide to support charitable organizations aligned with our signature causes.

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About International Paper

International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a global producer of sustainable packaging, pulp and other fiber-based products, and one of the world's largest recyclers. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., we employ approximately 39,000 colleagues globally who are committed to creating what's next. We serve customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, North Africa and Europe. Net sales for 2023 were $18.9 billion. Additional information can be found by visiting internationalpaper.com/.

About International Paper - EMEA

In Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA), International Paper focuses on the production and marketing of fiber-based packaging and specialty pulp, employing approximately 4,400 people. As a leading supplier of high-quality corrugated containers for a multitude of applications, we serve customers throughout the region from our network of two recycled containerboard mills and 23 box plants in France, Italy, Morocco, Portugal and Spain. Specialty pulp is made in Gdansk, Poland. Other products available from International Paper in the region include a variety of Kraft linerboard and other pulp products.

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SOURCE: International Paper Company

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FAQ

What is International Paper's Vision 2030 framework?

Vision 2030 is International Paper's sustainability framework that guides the company's efforts to become a leader in renewable fiber-based solutions and advance a low-carbon, circular economy.

How does International Paper (IP) contribute to the circular economy?

IP contributes to the circular economy by using recovered fiber and sustainably managed wood fiber, designing products for recycling and reuse, employing circular manufacturing processes, and operating a recycling business that recovers and transforms used materials into new products.

What steps is International Paper (IP) taking to support a low-carbon future?

IP is implementing a roadmap to decarbonize its operations, creating a dedicated team to explore low-carbon solutions, and working with partners to investigate carbon capture and storage opportunities at its facilities.

What is International Paper's community impact goal for 2030?

International Paper aims to improve the lives of 100 million people by 2030 through its community engagement and charitable contributions.