Summary
As part of our commitment to responsible forest management, we meet or exceed requirements for globally recognized environmental certifications, such as FSC, SFI and PEFC. Find out why.
At Domtar, environmental stewardship begins with responsible fiber procurement. This includes responsible forest management, careful tracking of wood fiber sources and a long‑running endorsement of third‑party certification.
The Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®), the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) are independent, globally recognized certification frameworks. They provide our customers with the assurance that we adhere to rigorous responsible forest management and chain of custody (CoC) standards.
Today, Domtar is the world’s largest holder of FSC and SFI Forest Management certificates, a testament to our commitment to responsible forest management, with nature, wildlife and local communities at the heart of our approach.
All the woodlands we manage received one or more of these certifications. Harvested woodlands are regenerated — an essential component of responsible forest management. We rely on various forest management techniques and best practices, including regeneration surveys, site preparation, planting of seedlings and seeding — all in combination with natural regeneration.
All our manufacturing facilities have a CoC tracking system that complies with one or more certifications, including FSC, SFI and/or PEFC, and we require that 100 percent of the fiber we process meet minimum due diligence requirements related to risks of illegal logging and other important sustainability‑related impacts.
“In today’s world, our stakeholders and partners across all sectors are rightfully focused on environmental impact,” says Luc Thériault, Wood Products CEO & President Canada. “For a company like ours that depends on renewable natural resources like wood fiber, this scrutiny isn’t just expected —it’s essential. Our environmental performance must be exemplary, which is why this pillar is fundamental to our 2030 strategy.”
Responsible Forest Management Helps Protect Our Future
Quinton Hayward is the chief forester for the Pulp and Tissue business unit at Domtar. His work focuses on all aspects of fiber supply, from responsible forest management and government policy to sourcing, certification and mill operations.
“We’re a company that is dependent on forests. We need forests to be managed sustainably to be able to feed into our operations,” says Hayward. “The industry is very much one that is cyclical, in the sense of everyone is kind of dependent on one another. … Without responsible harvesting and without forests, ultimately, we don't have a business.”
But responsible forest management is about more than running a business in the here and now. It’s planning for the long term so forests can be there for us, our communities and future generations.
“A sentiment that I’ve heard is ‘borrowing from the future,’” says Hayward. “That really hits home. As a father myself, I want forests to be around for my kids and my grandkids to be able to enjoy.”
Learn more about our commitment to responsible forest management:
- Listen to Quinton Hayward talk about the importance of responsible forest management and fiber procurement.
- Read our most recent Sustainability Report.
- Read about our commitment to environmental stewardship.
