Agenda 2030, Goal 15 - Life on Land

The importance of forests

Forests cover nearly 31 per cent of our planet’s land area. From the air we breathe, to the water we drink, to the food we eat–forests sustain us. Around 1.6 billion people depend on forests for their livelihood. Almost 75 per cent of the world’s poor are affected directly by land degradation. Did you know that forests are home to more than 80 per cent of all terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects? And of the 8,300 animal breeds known, 8 per cent are extinct and 22 per cent are at risk of extinction. Biodiversity and the ecosystem services it underpins can also be the basis for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction strategies as they can deliver benefits that will increase the resilience of people to the impacts of climate change.

There are some encouraging trends with regard to the protection of terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity. 
Deforestation is decelerating, more and more key areas from a biodiversity biodiversity are being protected, with an equal increase in 
financial support.However, the targets set by Sustainable Development Goal 15 are unlikely to be met. 
set by Sustainable Development Goal 15 for 2020 are unlikely to be met. Land degradation land continues, biodiversity is decreasing at an alarming rate; invasive species, poaching and trafficking of species wild species also continue to hamper efforts to protect and 
restoring ecosystems and their species.

 “LEAD companies represent the highest level of engagement with the UN Global Compact. More than ever before, the world needs businesses of all sizes that continuously work to improve their sustainability performance and take action to build a better world,” says Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact.

''Responsibility is at the core of our Biofore strategy and we are committed to continuous improvement and replacing fossil materials. This year, we signed the UN’s 1.5 °C climate target and pursue to take science-based measures to limit global warming,” says Sami Lundgren, Vice President, Responsibility, UPM. “Our goal is to mitigate climate change and drive value creation through innovating novel products, committing to a 65% CO2  emission reduction and by practicing sustainable forestry,” he continues.

Companies also need to demonstrate engagement with the initiative and commitment to defining and fostering leading practices in line with the UN Global Compact Ten Principles for responsible business and the Sustainable Development Goals. In addition, the companies are to report on their progress on implementing the Ten Principles on annual basis.

Three of the ten principles of the UN Global Compact are :

Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;

Principle 8: undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and

Principle 9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.

UPM have several targets to change enviromental condition . We focus on the targets 15.2 and 15.5

15.2 : By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, promote the restoration of degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally

15.5 Take urgent and significant measures to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of endangered species

UPM as an investment

UPM has constantly improved its financial, social and environmental performance. Over the coming years, we can allocate more capital to growing and transforming the company while simultaneously distributing attractive dividend to our shareholders and maintaining headroom in our strong balance sheet.

UPM Biofore strategy - Beyond fossils

Our purpose is to create value by seizing the limitless potential of bioeconomy. It means numerous profitable business opportunities, which are providing safe and sustainable solutions for growing global consumer demand.

In the coming years UPM seeks significant growth in high-value fibre, specialty packaging materials and molecular bioproducts.

Tree Plantation 

Intensifying little plants production, and ensuring that they live long enough to capture sufficient CO2 emissions, will cost ten billion dollars (over 8.4 billion euros)

The company Treedom was founded in Florence in 2010
Treedom works in partnership with small community farmers, local communities and non-governmental organisations in several countries including Tanzania, Ecuador, Kenya, Italy, Haiti and others. By purchasing a tree from among those available, the customer entrusts its growth to local farmers in the planting area. Each plant is associated with its GPS position and regular photo documentation, which are entered on a dedicated web page for monitoring purposes. Each tree purchased can be given as a gift.