Our performance in 2009 - Sappi

14
Our sustainable business cycle
This diagram provides a full picture of our business.
It brings together the inputs, outputs and impacts of our operations.
Management systems
Sustainably managed
forests mitigate climate
change by sequestering
carbon from the
atmosphere and
storing it as biomass.
When biomass is harvested and used to
generate energy, the carbon contained is
released as carbon dioxide (CO 2) into the
atmosphere – this process is considered
‘carbon neutral’ as the CO 2 generated is
the same amount that was bound from
the atmosphere by the process of
photosynthesis during the growth of
the trees.
Forests only contribute to net carbon
emissions when biomass is harvested faster
than it grows back. A sustainably managed
forest is considered to be a net carbon
sequester despite the removal of biomass
during harvesting. At Sappi, logging is
balanced with re-growth and twigs and
stumps are left behind, leading to
continuous enrichment of the soil.
ISO 9001 OHSAS 18000
ISO 14001 OSHA
Water
All current papermaking processes use
large amounts of water – to hold, transport
and distribute the fibre that becomes the
sheet of paper. Water is also an integral
part of the steam systems used to
generate energy. Because water is such a
critical resource for our processes, we take
great care, as responsible manufacturers,
to filter it before it is used and to treat it
before it exits the process. We use
temperature controls, oxygen level controls
and other metrics to ensure that we comply
with all relevant environmental regulations.
Chemicals
Wherever possible, chemicals are
recovered and re-used.
Energy
Pulp and paper operations are highly
energy-intensive and in some regions
purchased power is our major energy
source. Equally, in certain regions, electricity
generation is mainly coal-based, and this
has obvious carbon implications. Globally,
49.7% of the energy we use comes from
renewable sources (waste products from
our production processes, black liquor, bark
and sludges and also purchased biomass).
International, independently verified
management systems underpin
our approach to sustainable
development.
We use internationally recognised
health and safety systems to
ensure the safety of our people.
The rights of indigenous peoples
are protected by the forest
management systems used by
Sappi.