Sustainable forest management and fossil substitution in key role to enable EU’s green growth

Press Release 15.7.2021 9:00 EEST

European Commission has yesterday, 14th of July, published an extensive set of proposals on climate and energy policies, framing the pathway to carbon neutrality by 2050. These proposals begin a lengthy process to agree on the details. UPM is committed to supporting EU’s climate goals and has committed to the UN’s Business Ambition for 1.5°C.

“We are in a unique position to offer positive climate impact through sustainable forestry, emission reductions in operations and by providing climate-friendly alternatives for substituting fossil consumption. The proposal sets a clear signal for the need to reduce emissions and focus on zero-emission energy”, states Stefan Sundman, Vice President, Public Affairs, UPM.

Innovation creates wealth of opportunities for substituting fossils

In recent years, UPM has strongly invested in innovations that provide renewable drop-in solutions to substitute fossils. For example, UPM has invested heavily in biorefineries that provide new sustainable alternatives in advanced biofuels and biochemicals.

“UPM calls for predictable regulation that enable green growth investments and further transformation beyond fossils. EU policies and the upcoming negotiations between the European Parliament and the member states must ensure sustainable forest use and availability of wood as a key resource for the circular bioeconomy and green growth”, Sundman concludes.

Renewability and circular material use in production and consumption open large potential for effective climate change mitigation. The use of sustainably sourced renewable materials offers a unique solution to replace fossil consumption.

UPM is committed to Climate Positive Forestry, which focuses on increasing the biomass in the forests and their growth through economically, ecologically, and socially sustainable forest management. We make sure that our forests remain carbon sinks and thus support efforts to mitigate climate change.

UPM continues to investigate in more detail the various proposals by the European Commission and will publish further insights on upm.com.

For further information please contact:
Stefan Sundman, Vice President, Public Affairs, tel. +358 2041 50559

UPM, Media Relations
Mon-Fri 9:00-16:00 EEST
tel. +358 40 588 3284
media@upm.com

UPM
We deliver renewable and responsible solutions and innovate for a future beyond fossils across six business areas: UPM Biorefining, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Specialty Papers, UPM Communication Papers and UPM Plywood. As the industry leader in responsibility we are committed to the UN Business Ambition for 1.5°C and the science-based targets to mitigate climate change. We employ 18,000 people worldwide and our annual sales are approximately EUR 8.6 billion. Our shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. UPM Biofore – Beyond fossils. www.upm.com

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