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Greenhouse Gas Emissions
We believe industry should play an important role in worldwide efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and that reductions can be effectively achieved if market-based approaches are integral to the efforts to counteract climate change. In response to this global challenge, International Paper has taken on numerous activities to make a difference in key areas. These areas include tracking and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions, developing voluntary goals to reduce emissions, and supporting greenhouse gas trading programs.
Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Reporting
- International Paper has developed a complete US inventory and nearly complete international inventory of greenhouse gas emissions based on the widely accepted standard GHG Protocol developed by the World Resources Institute (WRI), the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and the associated Pulp and Paper Sector Protocol. The Pulp and Paper Sector Protocol developed by National Council for Air and Stream Improvement (NCASI), is the first greenhouse gas accounting protocol developed specifically for the forest products industry, and International Paper was among the first companies to implement the process.
- International Paper reports the results of this inventory in our annual Sustainability Report. Future Sustainability Reports will incorporate the results from the completed international inventory based on the protocol.
- International Paper also reports greenhouse gas information to governments and third parties as part of our participation in several voluntary initiatives.
Reductions, Goals and Voluntary Initiatives
- International Paper is a charter member of EPA's Climate Leader's Partnership. Climate Leader's is a voluntary industry-government partnership that encourages companies to develop long-term comprehensive climate change strategies and set greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals. As part of this program, IP has established a goal of reducing absolute greenhouse gas emissions by 15% by the year 2010 from a year 2000 baseline. IP has also agreed to report its progress to EPA on achieving this goal.
- International Paper also participates in the Business Roundtable Climate RESOLVE initiative. As part of this program, IP reports on the development climate change programs and participation in voluntary programs to support the President's objective of reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 18 percent intensity (per GDP) by 2012.
- International Paper participates in Canada's Climate Change Voluntary Challenge and Registry that is a private-public partnership promoting voluntary efforts to address climate change issues.
- The Kyoto Protocol, which was approved by the European Union, requires an approximate 8 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by the end of the decade. International Paper Europe is well positioned to meet this target.
Trading Programs
- International Paper is a founding member of the Chicago Climate Exchange® (CCX®). CCX® is a greenhouse gas emission reduction and trading pilot program for emission sources and offset projects in the United States and for offset projects undertaken in Brazil. CCX® is a self-regulated, rules-based exchange designed and governed by CCX® Members. IP and other members have made a voluntary, legally binding commitment to reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases by four percent below the average of a 1998-2001 baseline by 2006, the last year of the pilot program. International Paper supports the objectives of the exchange in working toward market-based solutions that cost-effectively manage greenhouse gas emissions.
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