SIG signs five-year partnership with WWF Switzerland

Sustainable carton producer SIG has entered into a five-year partnership with WWF Switzerland to drive progress in sustainable forest management.

SIG will directly invest in projects designed to protect and restore thousands of hectares of forests, in addition to enhancing the wider industry’s commitment to sustainable forestry through engaging with suppliers and customers.

In 2021, SIG became the first carton producer to purchase only Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified paperboard, setting high standards for sustainable forest management practices to support biodiversity and communities.

“For more than a decade, SIG has led the industry in driving progress on sustainable forest management through FSC certification,” said Samuel Sigrist, CEO of SIG.

He continued: “This exciting new partnership will help us create further positive impact by protecting and restoring more forests and showing the way for others to contribute to thriving forest ecosystems”.

The partnership will see SIG join WWF’s Forests Forward programme, bringing together local businesses, communities and other forest stakeholders to transform the way forests are valued, managed, protected and restored.

Thomas Vellacott, CEO of WWF Switzerland, said: “Our new partnership will enable us to work together to deliver targeted support for at-risk forests in biodiversity hotspots and deforestation fronts. These projects will help forests thrive, together with the wildlife and people who depend on them.”

The collaboration’s first joint venture will help to secure a landscape in the western coastal region of Mexico by improving forest management of 100,000 hectares and restoration of a further 750 hectares of forest.

The area covers the Central Pacific Jaguar Landscape. Conserving the jaguars will help to secure vast territories of the land that are at risk of being lost. These territories are vital for the provision of ecosystem services to local communities, including maintaining productive food supplies and habitable weather conditions.