Memphis, Tennessee-based Verso Paper Corp. recently announced its release of “A Climate of Change - Sustainability Report 2008.” The report details Verso’s progress to its commitment to respect a sustainable balance among environmental, social and economic needs.
As the title of the report suggests, Verso is pursuing its sustainability objectives in a dynamic climate where change is the rule rather than the exception, explained president and CEO Mike Jackson.
Here are some of the report's highlights:
• Verso has reduced greenhouse gas emissions per ton of production by 28 percent since 1998. More than half of the energy used to manufacture Verso products—some 53 percent—comes from renewable, greenhouse gas-neutral biofuels.
• Verso increased its use of third-party certified wood fiber from 60 percent to 65 percent, surpassing its 2008 goal. The company’s goal for certified fiber use in 2009 is 67 percent.
• Verso’s four paper mills were independently audited and certified to the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) chain of custody standard (PwC-PEFC-319). PEFC is the world’s largest forest certification system.
• Verso’s four paper mills were independently audited and certified to the ISO 14001:2004 environmental management system (EMS) standard. This internationally recognized standard identifies specific requirements for organizations that want to implement a comprehensive EMS aimed at continuous environmental performance improvement.
For more information, visit www.versopaper.com/sustainability.