A VOLUNTARY COMMITMENT TO PROTECT BIODIVERSITY AND HIGHCONSERVATION

A VOLUNTARY COMMITMENT TO PROTECT BIODIVERSITY AND HIGH-CONSERVATION VALUES IN FORESTS: THE CASE OF BEVERAGE CARTONS Christian Verschueren “European biodiversity: the private sector offer” 1 December 2009 – European Parliament, Brussels

WHO ARE WE? ACE is representing the main manufacturers of BEVERAGE CARTONS and their European PAPERBOARD producers. 2

WHAT’S CARTONS GOT TO DO WITH BIODIVERSITY ? • Our story starts in the forests (beverage cartons made of 75% paper board from virgin wood fibre) • Sustainable sourcing of materials • Conservation and responsible management of forest as a natural and renewable resource • Demands for greening the supply chain LP Board Beverage Production Carton Production Raw Materials Alu & PE Forestry 3 Filling Line Retail Consumer

VOLUNTARY COMMITMENT = Traceability systems for wood fibres • Global sector commitment ü 100% Co. C certification at paper mills by 2015 ü 100% Co. C certification BC manuf plants by 2018 ü Third-party verification • Recognized by the European Commission and stakeholders Forest Mgt Certificate Paper mill Forest 4 Controlled Wood Certificate Bev. Carton Customer Cert. wood Contr. wood Chain of Custody Certificate FSC board Chain of Custody Certificate FSC packs No certificate necessary

ACE VOLUNTARY COMMITMENT: STATUS 2009 Certified fibre and controlled wood sources Beverage carton manufacturing plants with Co. C certificates 5

LINK VOLUNTARY COMMITMENT BIODIVERSITY Criteria for acceptable wood sources Well-managed forest (e. g. FSC) 6 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Biodiversity & Ecosystems Controlled wood 1. 2. 3. NOT from Forests w/ high conservation values 4. 5.

BEVERAGE CARTONS IN EUROPE ORIGINATE MOSTLY FROM SWEDEN & FINLAND • Sustained forest growth for 100+ years • Trend for standing volume 4000 3500 Million m 3 3000 2500 Forecast 2000 1500 1000 500 0 1930 1950 1970 1990 2010 2030 Source: Swedish Forest Agency 7

BEVERAGE CARTONS IN EUROPE ORIGINATE MOSTLY FROM SWEDEN & FINLAND • Sustained forest growth since 100+ years • Trend for standing volume • Reserved for nature conservation Cultivated productive forests 21. 5 million hectares Productive forests reserved for nature conservation 2. 0 million Hectares Voluntarily set aside Non-productive forest land excluded from cultivation 4. 0 million hectares 8 Source: Swedish Forest Agency

EUROPEAN INDUSTRY’s OPPORTUNITY • Semi natural forest dominate Europe – 87% of forest cover • These forests retain their natural characteristics to a certain degree, including biodiversity • Developing forest management and harvesting practices offers a unique possibility to make a significant positive impact on biodiversity 9

“PROMOTING BIODIVERSITY - SHARING EXPERIENCES by Robert Taylor, editor in the paper industry" • Aim to promote biodiversity in our everyday operations • Focus on voluntary action in commercial forests • Support existing protection network • Directed to those players who can make an impact • Scope is Europe, but the tools are applicable outside Europe 10

TYPES OF BEST PRACTICES 11

28 BEST PRACTICE EXAMPLES Biodiversity tool Best practice title Cooperation with Eurosite Biogeographical region Background Description of best practice Benefits for biodiversity Who is implementing the practice Contacts 12

BEYOND EUROPE • Support EU legislation to combat illegal logging (due diligence Regulation currently under discussion in Council) • Our companies work with suppliers outside Europe for global market • Reminder : Co. C industry commitment is global • Example : 13

THANK YOU christian. verschueren@beveragecarton. eu www. beveragecarton. eu 14