The paper and publishing industry has been offered a five-step plan on taking greater action on behalf of biodiversity that includes incorporating and setting science-based targets for nature – the framework of which can be found at the POC Members Hub.
Products of Change was joined this week by a special guest speaker, Karin Morell, an expert in bioeconomy health and agriculture and food at the Research Institutes of Sweden as members gathered online for the latest Paper Workstream meeting, a new working group created to look for sustainable solutions for the paper and paper products sector.
Karin joined the session to talk attendees through some of the latest legislative updates while reiterating the importance of biodiversity not just for planetary and species health but for the future profitability of business.
The paper and pulp industry currently makes up 13 to 15% of the global use of wood, making it one of the industries with the highest level of dependency on the world’s natural resources. Among the corporate risks linked to biodiversity loss is the increase in cost or total loss of revenue due to the global depletion of those natural resources and the decline of ecosystem services.
The Science Based Targets for Nature framework aims to enable companies to assess, prioritise, measure, address, and track their impacts and dependencies on nature.
“As an industry highly dependent on natural resources, such as wood, pulp, water, and energy, and one that is relatively resource intensive, the publishing industry will be a target for new standards and regulations that are in the process of being fine-tuned right now,” said Karin. “It’s important that this is an industry that starts looking closer at how it can act.”
Mapping value chains and biodiversity impact topped the list of next steps for the industry to take to better act for nature, followed by advice to develop a strategy for reducing the negative impact and increasing your positive impact.
“You can also start to make demands of your paper producers and other suppliers,” said Karin. “Start campaigning for things like sustainable production (such as selective logging), reduced water-use, and high transparency regarding production conditions. You can also start setting your science-based targets for nature.”
This will include, according to Karin, trying out different tools for assessment and disclosure of biodiversity impact, such as the WWF Biodiversity risk filter. Members of the industry have also been encouraged to join the Science based targets for nature’s Corporate Engagement Programme for continuous updates and the early testing of released steps.
Products of Change members will be able to watch the latest Paper Workstream Meeting On Demand next week.
