Acting on climate change

Yes, pulp and paper manufacturing is energy intensive. But with Sappi, the energy we both consume and produce is increasingly green AND beneficial to surrounding communities. Take a look at what we’ve achieved at Gratkorn mill and beyond in the surrounding municipalities in Austria. 

A preliminary climate change investigation conducted by Sappi Forests’ scientists indicated that climate change is likely to be greater in Southern Africa compared to the world average.

Climate change can stress forests and plantations through higher mean annual temperatures, altered precipitation patterns and more frequent and extreme weather conditions.

Sappi owns and leases 390,000 hectares (ha) of land of which 255,000 ha is planted and all of which is FSC-certified. The remaining 135,000 ha is conserved by Sappi Forests.

We’re shifting from planting pure species to more productive, better adapted, and more pest and disease-resistant hybrid varieties of both hardwood and softwood trees.

Forests are fundamental to the well-being of people and the planet. They provide an economic resource for approximately 1.6 billion people.

The South African energy sector is heavily dependent on coal and 150 years of intensive coal mining have produced about a billion tons of discarded thermal-grade coal fines. These can potentially cause environmental and health problems.

Climate change is here to stay and the search is on for sources of renewable energy. This is where the 25 MW Ngodwana Energy biomass power plant at Ngodwana Mill comes in.