Top paper executives from around the world took part in the Pacwest 2017 Conference Managing Resources for Success in Whistler, BC June 7-11. One of those involved in the Opening Forum Session was Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) VP of Sustainability and Stakeholder Relations for the Americas, Ian Lifshitz. The conference comes at a key time, as supply chains strive to respond to consumer concerns regarding deforestation. Insufficient reforestation has a damaging effect on habitat, the biodiversity ecosystem, and reduces the amount of carbon dioxide that can be absorbed. Companies can no longer ignore the costs of global sourcing, said APP and other stakeholders who attended.
“Rainforests cover less than 4% of the total surface area on the planet, but account for approximately 50% of the plants and animals on earth,” said Lifshitz. “At APP, we committed to zero deforestation in 2013 with the introduction of our Forest Conservation Policy (FCP). This involves sourcing all materials from plantation-grown trees and working with all stakeholders including government, NGOs and local communities.”
The event explored the need for global brands to create and maintain trust with their customers. At the forefront of that trust is an open and transparent supply chain. As global sourcing continues to emerge, said the speakers, it’s essential that these brands understand the complexities of a multi-national, multi-layered supply chain and implement the systems and procedures to ensure sustainable sourcing across the entire process. The Pacwest 2017 Conference also featured industry meetings, technical sessions and roundtable discussions.
