Last year, we launched eQ with the intent of providing you with something sorely lacking in our industry: clarity and confidence around sustainability. To help remedy this situation, we’ve been shifting the dialogue away from single attributes like PCW content and placing attention where it belongs: on the entire life cycle of paper.  

In this issue we build upon Sappi’s holistic perspective in examining the greenhouse gas emissions associated with putting ink on paper—from material acquisition through manufacturing, distribution and use, to the recovery of fiber.

Many studies have shown that your choice of paper supplier has the biggest impact on the overall carbon footprint of a publication. In turn, Sappi Fine Paper North America has worked diligently to achieve the lowest reported greenhouse gas emissions among major domestic coated paper manufacturers. And we have a five-year goal to achieve a 40% reduction by 2012, a target we are on our way to achieving.

The great strides we’ve made in carbon management did not come about overnight. They required a great deal of forethought and focus in execution. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and lessening a company’s impact on climate change is no small or easy task. But with the right guidance, the seemingly insurmountable is, in fact, quite achievable.

So in this latest issue of eQ, we’ll share Sappi’s strategies and tactics for reducing our carbon footprint, including a first look at our new eQ Tool, a truly dynamic way of sharing our best practices around sustainability with our customers. You’ll also be able to read some impressive success stories from other industry leaders. Whether it’s a more efficient route to the market, devising new tactics for sustainable design, or uncovering new sources of renewable energy, there is no shortage of ideas percolating around our business. This issue of eQ is designed to offer you fresh ideas to help you reduce your impact on the environment, make more responsible choices, and generate more business.

As always, managing greenhouse gas emissions and their impact on our climate is an ever-evolving conversation. We look forward to continuing the dialogue in future issues of eQ and online at www.sappi.com/eQTool.

Laura M. Thompson, PhD

Director of Technical Marketing and Sustainable Development

Sappi Fine Paper North America

A growing number of companies are finding benefits they never expected from becoming more sustainable—including becoming industry leaders, gaining recognition, deepening relationships with employees, suppliers and customers, not to mention improving the bottom line.

Sappi’s environmental leadership continues with the launch of our online eQ Tool—an engaging and interactive experience to help elevate our customers “environmental quotient” so they can make better, more informed choices.