The pulp and paper industry is an important economic pillar contributing significantly to the competitiveness of Europe, and our products play an essential role in our everyday lives, providing hygiene, comfort and convenience. According to the Confederation of the European Paper Industries (CEPI), the industry employs more than 250,000 people and provides indirect employment to 1.8 million.
We define sustainability in terms of meeting the needs of society today without jeopardizing our ability to do so in the future. This means we take a long-term view and think about conservation as well as supply. It means we weigh up different benefits – social, environmental and economic. It also means we consider alternatives before we make business decisions, and we are keenly aware of the trade-offs that are part and parcel of every business choice.
But what does all this mean in practice? It means we will consistently strive to apply sustainability to our business decisions. We will not market products that don't add value for our customers just to prove we are 'green'. We will look at credible scientific evidence when making decisions. We will ask ourselves the toughest questions – and if we think it's right, we will make long-term investments in a more sustainable future.
As a company that has more than 5,000 employees and operates over 22 facilities in Europe, Georgia-Pacific EMEA also has a commitment to being a prosperous business and to finding ways of adding real long-term value through sustainability – for our customers, for society and for the company.