Resolute Forest Products has become the largest manager of FSC-certified forests in the world.
The company recently certified 3.2 million hectares (7.9 million acres) of forestlands in the Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec to the FSC Boreal Standard. This certification raises the total area of Resolute-managed FSC-certified forests in North America to 10.3 million hectares (25.6 million acres), an area twice the size of Nova Scotia and larger than Portugal, Hungary or South Korea.
“Becoming the world’s largest FSC holder is a major milestone in our efforts to become a positive force for sustainability within the forest products industry,” said Richard Garneau, Resolute’s president and chief executive officer. “Resolute’s growing commitment to FSC complements other key sustainability initiatives, including the company’s membership in WWF’s Climate Savers Program, which helps companies set and achieve ambitious emission reduction targets, as well as membership in the landmark Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement.”
Under the WWF Climate Savers Program, Resolute has pledged to reduce its absolute greenhouse gas emissions by 65 percent below 2000 levels by 2015. Resolute also made a series of other commitments as part of its Climate Savers membership, including increasing its FSC certification to 80 percent by 2015. With the latest certification, Resolute has passed the halfway point in delivering on its 80 percent commitment.
Resolute Forest Products previously operated as AbitibiBowater. Information about the certifications can be found at www.info.fsc.org under the name AbiBow. The most recent certification is under license code FSC C108950.
