International Day of Forests

As today is International Day of Forests, which is celebrated on the 21st of March every year, we wanted to take the opportunity to reflect on the significance of forests to our planet’s health, our own well-being and indeed our business.

Styria, the region of Austria where our headquarters is located, is one of the most extensive forested areas in Austria, with over 60% of the region’s land area covered in woodland. As a company operating in this natural paradise, we feel fortunate to be surrounded by such a rich organic environment and we recognize the importance of protecting forests, and the vital role they play for our environment and society, now and for future generations to come.

Did you know? Nearly half of Austria is covered in forests, with over 3.4 billion trees of 65 different species. That makes around 400 trees per person in Austria!

Forests are not only a source of natural beauty but also serve as an essential resource for local communities, providing raw materials, recreation opportunities and habitat for wildlife. And equally important, woodlands play a crucial role in mitigating climate change by storing carbon and filtering air and water.

As paper and paper-related products are an important resource for our company’s operations, we have held the FSC^® certification (FSC^® C112145) certification for a number of years to show our commitment for upholding the highest standards for the conservation of timber resources. We see it as our responsibility as a global company to help build a better future for generations to come, and FSC^® presents one of the ways we can help minimise the impact we have on the world around us.

The Forest Stewardship Council ^® (FSC ^®) is a global organization that promotes responsible forest management practices. FSC ^® certification ensures that the wood and paper products we use in our operations come from forests managed in an environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable manner. We are proud of this certification that demonstrates our commitment to sustainability and our respect for the forests that provide us with the raw materials we need to operate.

This International Day of Forests, we encourage everyone to take a moment to appreciate the vital role that forests play in our lives and to consider what we can do to help protect them. Whether it’s supporting sustainable forestry practices or reducing our own environmental footprint, we can all make a difference in preserving these essential resources.