Sappi Limited, a diversified industrial business utilising renewable resources to produce woodfibre-based products for global markets, has received an outstanding ‘A’ score for Forests in 2025 by CDP, a global non-profit that operates the world’s leading independent environmental disclosure and scoring system for companies, capital markets, cities, states and regions to manage their environmental impacts. Sappi also received strong CDP scores for Climate Change (A-) and Water Security (B) in 2025 which reflect ongoing progress.
Achieving an ‘A’ demonstrates comprehensive disclosure, mature environmental governance, and meaningful progress towards environmental resilience. CDP scores are increasingly used as a stress test for whether companies’ sustainability data can support investment decisions, procurement requirements and emerging regulation. This emphasis on decision-ready data is increasingly critical as sustainability disclosures are linked to regulatory compliance, access to capital and customer requirements. Sappi’s CDP performance provides external validation of its readiness to meet these evolving expectations.
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“It is difficult to overstate the immense effort and dedication that underpin this achievement,” said Tracy Wessels, Group Head of Investor Relations and Sustainability, Sappi. “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 in line with our Thrive strategy, but also in supporting our customers in meeting their ambitious sustainability goals.”
Sustainable forestry is significant for its role in protecting environmental integrity, supporting social wellbeing, and enhancing long-term economic resilience. Sappi’s activities range from managing its own landholdings in South Africa, to cooperating with small, local landowners, to maintaining 100% chain of custody certifications across its pulp and paper manufacturing operations. Together, these practices advance Sappi’s long-standing commitment to sustainable forest management and deforestation-free supply chains, central pillars of its 2030 sustainability ambitions.
Sappi’s climate strategy is focused on increasing renewable energy use, improving energy efficiency, investing in low-carbon technologies and integrating carbon considerations into capital allocation decisions. When it comes to water stewardship, Sappi actively seeks to reduce freshwater withdrawal, increase water reuse and recycling within operations, and improve the quality of water returned to the environment.
The full list of companies that made this year’s CDP A List is available here: Scores and A Lists – CDP.