We practise and promote sustainable forestry to ensure that forestland stays forested for generations to come.
Sustainably managed forests and plantations play a vital role in mitigating climate change and safeguarding biodiversity, two of the biggest challenges of our time. We promote the increased use of certified woodfibre throughout our supply and value chains, and work with credible, internationally recognised, certification systems, which give assurance of the origin of woodfibre and responsible forest management practices.
Forests play a key role in addressing critical environmental challenges. By protecting forests and using woodfibre-based products, we’re advancing nature-based solutions to support a healthier planet. Learn more about why forests matter.
Forests grow on land that in many regions is increasingly under competition for use in farming, ranching and other land uses. By providing a dependable market for responsibly grown fibre, we encourage landowners to manage their forestland instead of selling it for development or other non-forest uses. This investment keeps forests healthy and continuously growing for generations to come.
Did you know?
Forest growth
In 2022, forests cover 39% of the EU’s land area in relative terms, representing an increase of about 8.3 million hectares (or 5.5%) since 2000 and 2.6 million hectares (or 1.7%) since 2010. Forests cover more than half of the national (terrestrial) territory in five European countries: Finland (66%), Sweden (63%), Slovenia (58%), Estonia (54%) and Latvia (53%). In absolute terms, the countries with the largest forest areas are Sweden (27 980 thousand ha), Finland (22 409 thousand ha) and Spain (18 576 thousand ha), as estimated in 2022. U.S. forests are a renewable natural resource and are not shrinking. Net forest area in the United States increased by approximately 18 million acres between 1990 and 2020. This increase in forest area is equivalent to more than 13 million NFL football fields.
Low deforestation
Deforestation in Canada is among the world’s lowest at 0.02% of its forested area. The key causes of deforestation in Canada are not forestry, but rather urbanisation, agriculture and energy developments.
Forest expansion
Forests expanded in the US from 746 million to 766 million acres (2.6%) between 1990 and 2015. This is equivalent to an average growth rate of 1,660 NFL fields per day. Each year, U.S. forests grow approximately two times more tree volume than is harvested, with a net average annual increase in growing stock of about 25 billion cubic feet (source).
Rural uplift programmes
In South Africa, Sappi has pioneered programmes that uplift rural areas through sustainable forestry without harvesting indigenous trees.
Knowing the origin of woodfibre is essential for responsible sourcing. Sappi’s mills have been FSC Chain of Custody (CoC) certified since 2008, and all mills (except Stanger Mill and Lomati Sawmill) are also PEFC CoC certified, including SFI in the USA. This ensures 100% traceability of woodfibre to its origin. Each delivery is verified to originate from controlled, non-controversial sources per FSC and PEFC standards. Our suppliers report at least annually on the country of harvest and tree species. Third-party certification bodies perform annual surveillance audits, while Sappi’s internal audit programmes cover all mills. Any detected non-conformities or improvement points are addressed with action plans to ensure continuous improvement of procurement systems.
Procurement teams in the US, Canada, South Africa and Europe (proNARO, Papierholz Austria, Metsä) can trace wood deliveries to the harvesting site. Furthermore, in North America, we collaborate with local landowners through the Maine and Lake States Forestry Programmes to source sustainable timber for Somerset and Cloquet Mills. These programmes support woodlot owners in Maine, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula, ensuring high-quality timber while promoting healthier ecosystems and thriving communities. SNA provides fair compensation and expert forestry management services, enhancing forest health and productivity. Sappi conducts supplier site inspections on all stumpage sales in the US and sample inspections on open market/gate wood purchases.
Sappi Forests in South Africa manage over 400,000 hectares of land. This includes 139,000 hectares of unplanted natural areas for biodiversity conservation. All our land is FSC™ C012316 and SA-PEFC-FM-001230 certified; Sappi held FSC certification for over two decades and was the first to receive the PEFC Forest Management certificate in South Africa in 2021. The tree plantations were established on former grasslands, avoiding impact on South Africa’s natural forests. Comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) are required to obtain the necessary water use licence before tree planting can commence.
We have identified investment in low-cost wood as both a growth driver and a strategic resource to supply our operations and to secure our margins in competitive commodity markets, such as dissolving wood pulp (DWP). To this end, we continue to work with local government and communities to accelerate afforestation in KwaZulu-Natal and the northern region of the Eastern Cape. This development not only provides one of the only sources of income and jobs to these local communities but will also secure valuable hardwood timber resources close to our Saiccor Mill in KwaZulu-Natal.
In addition to Sappi’s own plantation area, we continue to identify ways to ensure access to pulpwood in the wood baskets close to our key operations, by means of land or timber delivery swaps.
The plantation industry in South Africa faces an increasing threat from pests and diseases. Sappi Forests, a leader in research and development (R&D), continues to mitigate these risks through improved site species matching, the deployment of improved genetic planting stock and the introduction of specific hybrids from our conventional breeding programmes.
The state-of-the-art Clan Nursery, with a capacity of 20 million cuttings (vegetatively propagated plants), and the Ngodwana Nursery, provide Sappi Forests with the required facilities to rapidly deploy the improved genetic planting stock to mitigate these threats.
Responsible manufacturing begins with responsible procurement. Healthy and abundant forests are critical to the long-term viability of each of our core businesses because wood supplies the bulk of renewable energy that drives our mills, and cellulose fibers comprise the primary ingredient in our paper and pulp products.
In the United States, a strong legal framework has shaped and upheld responsible forestry practices for generations. Federal and state governments have many laws in place that not only cover rightful ownership, but also work to protect threatened and endangered species, regulate chemical use and provide for safe harvesting and fair labor practices.
With roughly 10 percent of the world’s forests certified to a credible standard, we support inclusive policy positions based on many standards. We strive to expand certification across the supply chain with an emphasis on growing certified land in the regions that provide fiber to our mills. Sappi North America is committed to sourcing our wood and pulp from well-managed forests. We are members of the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC® C014955) as well as the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®)—two of the world’s leading independent non-profit organizations that are responsible for developing sustainable forestry certification programs.
Our practices ensure far more than healthy forests. They enhance lives and uplift communities by:
- Influencing responsible land-use decisions
- Supporting rural community development
- Providing smallholders with market opportunities and management assistance
- Spurring investment in forestry research
- Promoting biodiversity
- Conserving soil and water resources
Well-managed forests with Sappi also play a vital role in carbon sequestration which prevents and mitigates climate change. One of the ways we promote prosperity in the broader community is through Sappi Khulisa (previously known as 'Project Grow'), a community tree farming project which has successfully uplifted impoverished communities in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.
Our objective is to provide consistent and clear guidelines and assistance to Sappi’s contracted growers, to ensure the sustainable development and protection of our forests for future generations. Sappi’s ‘Tree Farming Guidelines for Private Growers’ cover topics such as species selection and planting through to harvesting and extraction, and also provide much-needed information on fundamental issues such as safety and proper planning and scheduling processes.
The guidelines are divided into five sections and can be downloaded in PDF-format by clicking on the relevant links below.
If you're a private grower, Sappi is here to support you. Get our guides to learn best practices and tips of the trade.
Sappi and the SDGs
We’ve set ambitious targets aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the seven areas where we believe Sappi can make the biggest impact.
Responsible forestry protects biodiversity
As a renewable resource company, biodiversity is at the heart of our operations. We’re dedicated to fostering healthy ecosystems in the forests and plantations where we source our woodfibre.
Forests provide habitat to an estimated 80% of terrestrial plant and animal species, making them the most diverse ecosystems on land. Conserving this biodiversity is not just the right thing to do; it’s also foundational to our business, keeping the forests and plantations where we operate healthy and strong.
Our commitment to biodiversity is reflected in the internationally recognised, independent forest certification systems we adhere to, ensuring sustainable practices and the preservation of natural habitats.
Sustainable forestry is not about leaving a forest in its natural state; rather, we continually assess the baseline and implement management plans to prioritise safeguarding the least protected and most important vegetation types. Sappi also has a Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species Programme that has been focusing on cultivating rare indigenous plant species in South Africa since 2014
Sarah Price, Sappi Sustainability Director Europe
We’re transitioning to precision pest management, using remote sensing, microclimate data and biological controls for early detection and targeted management of pests and diseases.
Rooting out invaders
One way Sappi Forests prioritises biodiversity conservation is by managing invasive weeds. If left unchecked, they can threaten the health and productivity of forests and waterways.
In South Africa where we own and lease land called plantations, we actively manage the natural habitat and biodiversity found there.
- Following best practice for burning, grazing and weed control to ensure healthy habitats
- Ongoing assessment and monitoring of veld condition
- Protecting sites from poaching, illegal medicinal plant collection and overgrazing
- Participating in national stewardship programmes in seven declared nature reserves
- Identifying, monitoring and maintaining 156 Important Conservation Areas (ICAs)
- Long-term integrated weed management plans
Sappi’s Forestry Program helps maximize the value of timber while ensuring the long-term health of forest. Our experienced foresters work closely with local landowners to develop tailored plans that align with their woodland goals.
By partnering with Sappi, local landowners benefit from expert guidance, sustainable management practices, and reliable payments. We identify the best markets for timber and ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations. Plus, Sappi works with certified and insured contractors to ensure the highest quality service without harm to the environment.
Forest management not only protects land but also accelerates timber growth, leading to healthier trees and fosters biodiversity.
By combining traits from different species, hybrid breeding creates improved trees that are more tolerant to diseases, thrive in various environments, and are more resilient in tomorrow’s ever-changing climate.
Damien Naidu, General Manager of Research, Planning and Nurseries South Africa