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Mercer International shares sustainability achievement highlights in 2022 report

Mercer International has released its annual sustainability report for 2022. The Mercer “Fit for Future” 2022 Sustainability Report highlights the company’s progress and builds upon the insights gained from its 2021 inaugural report.

According to Mercer, the report goes beyond meeting regulatory requirements, aiming to resonate with customers, communities, investors and employees by sharing core values, initiatives and impacts while charting a forward-looking course. It features a Materiality Assessment section based on stakeholder input and reportedly highlights Mercer’s commitment to becoming an ESG performance and disclosure leader. It also includes early disclosure for the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), addressing biodiversity risks and opportunities.

Sustainability achievement highlights from Mercer

• Health and safety: Steady improvements towards zero incidents.  In 2022, Mercer achieved a 40 percent reduction in its recordable incident rate.  The company remains committed to a zero-incident workplace and has a near-term aspirational goal to achieve an incident rate below one per 200,000 hours worked.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The diversity of Mercer’s workforce remains a core element of its DE&I aspirations. Currently, 25 percent of Mercer’s top 100 management positions are held by women and in 2022 Mercer increased the composition of women in its new hires across the entire company from 19 percent in 2021 to 20 percent in 2022.
• Mitigate climate change: Mercer’s climate change mitigation goals were validated by the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi) in 2022 and include a 35 percent reduction in Scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.  Mercer also became a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact in 2022, adopting a principles-based approach that aligns its goals, strategies and policies with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• ESG-Linked Credit Facility: Mercer secured a five-year, 300 million Euro, ESG-linked credit facility in 2022; a facility that provides important liquidity to the company to advance its growth aspirations but also provides modest margin adjustments consistent with Mercer’s long-term ESG objectives.

“Transparency and balance guide the tone of our report, acknowledging areas for improvement as we contribute to transforming biomass into bioproducts for a more sustainable world,” said Juan Carlos Bueno, president and CEO of Mercer International. “We embrace the challenges and opportunities ahead and believe that sustainability is not just an obligation but an opportunity for innovation, growth, and positive change.”