At International Paper, we have three equally important sustainability goals: to be financially successful, socially responsible and environmentally excellent. To achieve these goals, we focus on continuous improvement across all areas of its operations. We made outstanding progress last year thanks to International Paper employees in nearly 50 countries for whom the words “good enough” are never an option. Their commitment to sustainability through operational excellence is truly our most valuable asset.

This commitment reaches into every corner of our business, from forest management to manufacturing to product stewardship. Combined with prudent management of resources and processes, it makes our business sustainable in a way that few others can be.

Our business is grounded, quite literally, in the sustainability of our primary raw material—wood fiber. We manufacture the products our customers want and need using the only natural resource that perpetually regenerates itself in harmony with the environment—trees. International Paper grows, harvests and replants more healthy trees than just about anyone else in the world. In fact, we are among the largest sustainably managed, private forestland owners in the world.

We leverage our position as the world’s largest paper and forest products company to encourage sustainability wherever possible. On the local level, we promote sustainable forestry to nonindustrial private landowners who own more than 60 percent of U.S. forestlands, but may lack the expertise and resources to sustainably manage their land.

International Paper also plays a defining role in the health of forests on a global scale. In 2002, we sponsored and participated in the Forest Leadership Forum, an unprecedented collaboration between the forest products industry and the environmental community aimed at finding new and creative solutions to unsustainable forest management and trade practices that are fueling the global deforestation crisis.

Of course, International Paper’s sustainable business practices go far beyond these few examples. To broaden the view of our practices and progress, in 2002 we expanded the scope of our Sustainability Report to more closely conform to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standard.

In addition to openly reviewing International Paper’s environment, health and safety progress as we have in the past, our Sustainability Report also looks at our financial and social performance. It highlights our many successes as well as the goals we aspire to achieve.

John T. Dillon
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
International Paper

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