Features Environment & Sustainability
Resolute becomes largest manager of FSC-certified forest in the world

Resolute Forest Products recently certified 3.2 million hectares (7.9 million acres) of forestlands in the Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec to the FSC Boreal Standard. This certification raises the total area of Resolute-managed FSC-certified…

Resolute Forest Products recently certified 3.2 million hectares (7.9 million acres) of forestlands in the Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec to the FSC Boreal Standard. This certification raises the total area of Resolute-managed FSC-certified forests in North America to 10.3 million hectares (25.6 million acres), an area twice the size of Nova Scotia and larger than Portugal, Hungary or South Korea.

“Becoming the world’s largest FSC holder is a major milestone in our efforts to become a positive force for sustainability within the forest products industry,” stated Richard Garneau, Resolute’s president and CEO. “Resolute’s growing commitment to FSC complements other key sustainability initiatives, including the Company’s membership in WWF’s Climate Savers Program, which helps companies set and achieve ambitious emission reduction targets, as well as membership in the landmark Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement.”

FSC is an international certification and labelling system dedicated to promoting responsible management of the world’s forests. Co-founded in Canada by WWF in 1993, FSC works to promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world’s forests.

“WWF congratulates Resolute for their FSC-certification achievement,” said Gerald Butts, president and CEO, WWF-Canada. “This success, coupled with their commitment to the Climate Savers program, shows the value and importance of making conservation a business priority, and the critical role that corporations can and must play in addressing the major environmental challenges we are facing today.”

Resolute Forest Products previously operated as AbitibiBowater. The company produces a diverse range of products, including newsprint, commercial printing papers, market pulp and wood products. Resolute has third-party certified 100% of its managed woodlands to sustainable forest management standards.