Sappi earns CDP A-List 2025 recognition for forests, strengthens position as sustainability leader

SOUTH AFRICA — Sappi has secured a place on the 2025 CDP A-List for Forests, receiving an ‘A’ score among nearly 20,000 companies assessed by the global nonprofit Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP).

The paper and pulp manufacturer also reported strong ratings for Climate Change (A-) and Water Security (B), underscoring its ongoing progress toward environmental resilience and operational transparency.

CDP’s scoring framework has become a key benchmark for investors, customers, and regulators as sustainability disclosures increasingly influence procurement decisions, capital allocation, and compliance frameworks.

Sappi says its high-ranking results demonstrate the maturity of its environmental governance and the quality of its disclosure, offering decision-ready data that aligns with the expectations of evolving sustainability regulations worldwide.

Tracy Wessels, Sappi group head of investor relations and sustainability, emphasized the significance of the recognition, “It is difficult to overstate the immense effort and dedication that underpin this achievement.

“We’re delighted to be acknowledged as a leader in corporate transparency and action on advancing deforestation-free supply chains.

“We continue to collaborate intensively across our value chain, driving net-positive impact across our sustainability pillars and supporting our customers in meeting their ambitious sustainability goals.”

Sappi highlights sustainable forestry as central to its 2030 sustainability targets. The company manages substantial landholdings in South Africa, works closely with small local landowners, and maintains 100% chain-of-custody certifications across all pulp and paper production operations.

These measures ensure traceability and reinforce Sappi’s commitment to deforestation-free supply chains, an increasingly critical expectation in the global packaging and paper industries.

Beyond land stewardship, the company’s environmental strategy integrates climate, energy and water commitments. Sappi is expanding the use of renewable energy across its operations, improving energy efficiency, and investing in low-carbon technologies.

Carbon considerations are now embedded in capital allocation decisions, supporting long-term decarbonization objectives.

Water security remains a priority for the group, particularly in regions facing climate-induced stress. Sappi continues to work toward reducing freshwater withdrawal, increasing water reuse and recycling within its mills, and improving the quality of treated water returned to the environment.

Industry analysts note that Sappi’s recognition follows rising expectations for sustainability transparency within the fibre-based packaging and materials sector.

CDP scores are increasingly used as a “stress test” for environmental readiness, making Sappi’s A-List status a strategic advantage as brands shift toward responsible sourcing and regulators tighten disclosure requirements.

The recognition positions Sappi among the top global performers in sustainable forestry and environmental accountability, reinforcing its role as a leading manufacturer in the transition to low-carbon, responsibly sourced fibre solutions.

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