WWF (wwf.org) and Mondi Group (mondigroup.com) announce they will work together in a three-year strategic partnership that focuses on increasing environmental stewardship in the packaging and paper sectors.

The partnership, which links one of the largest packaging, pulp and paper producers in the world with the world’s largest conservation organization, sends a strong signal that addressing environmental sustainability makes good business sense.

The partnership will focus on minimizing the impacts of Mondi’s operations on forests, climate and water, and encouraging sustainable practices in the industry.

The work program will cover three main areas -  

• Ecosystem Stewardship - building on the successful Mondi Wetlands Programme in South Africa, this work will focus on protecting high conservation value ecosystems in Russia and other regions and increasing the value and resilience of multi-functional production landscapes in South Africa.
• Manufacturing Stewardship –further reducing the water and climate footprint of Mondi’s operations and promoting resource efficiency, recycling and longevity of products, including the cascading use of wood and forest products where appropriate.
• Product Stewardship – further enhancing the environmental performance of Mondi’s products through; among others - credible certification and efficient life-cycle use of materials in their paper and packaging products.

“As population grows and competition for land increases, forest-based industries that rely on renewable resources can play an important role in protecting and managing vital ecosystems,” says Jim Leape, director general of WWF International. “Companies like Mondi that choose to contribute to sustainable resource use and nature conservation are ensuring their own long-term viability, while contributing to the well-being of people and the planet today.”

 David Hathorn, group CEO Mondi says, “Mondi and WWF have a successful association working together on projects. This international partnership enables us to join forces on a larger scale. Sustainable development is integral to our business, and we are very pleased to be working with WWF as we continue to reduce our footprint and share responsible practices across our industry and beyond.”