TSX: WEF
VANCOUVER, BC, June 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Western Forest
Products Inc. (TSX: WEF) ("Western" or the "Company") announced
today the release of our 2020 Sustainability Report detailing the
progress and commitment to our key sustainability initiatives. This
includes the completion of our first full lifecycle carbon
accounting, which confirmed the positive role Western's sustainable
forest management practices and wood products have in fighting
against climate change.
"Sustainability is engrained in Western's vision and values and
I am tremendously proud of the progress we have made to confirm the
positive impact our business makes," said Don Demens, President and Chief Executive
Officer. "Our sustainable forest management practices and the wood
products we manufacture play a key role in reducing global
greenhouse gases. At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic has
further highlighted the importance of nurturing and building
positive relationships with our people, First Nations, customers,
communities and other stakeholders."
Key highlights of our 2020 Sustainability Report:
Climate Change:
- 14.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent was removed
from the atmosphere through Western's activities, including the
sustainable management of forests in our care, during 2018 and 2019
– equal to removing 1.54 million cars from the road per year
- 1.4 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent is stored in
the forests managed by Western
Environmental Stewardship:
- 100% of our managed tenures are third party certified
- 100% of identified wildlife features were retained in 2020
- 27% increase in big trees conserved compared to 2019
- Over 3 trees were replanted for every 1 tree harvested in
2020
Health & Safety:
- 23% reduction in our Medical Incident Rate compared to
2019
- Zero work-related COVID-19 transmissions in our operations
Our People:
- Additional employee support and flexible working arrangements
for eligible employees during COVID-19
- 38% of our Board of Directors and Executive Officers are women,
well above industry averages
Indigenous Relationships:
- Advanced our mutually beneficially partnerships with First
Nations, including furthering our relationship with the Huu-ay-aht
First Nations in our TFL 44 Limited Partnership
- 29 active agreements with First Nations or First Nations
associations
Community:
- Over $500,000 in community
investments during 2020
- Donated properties to support the construction of the Community
Unity Trail, a 25-kilometre multi-use trail between Tahsis and Zeballos on Vancouver Island
Sustainability is a key strategic priority for Western and is
supported throughout the organization, from the Board, to executive
management, to our employees. Our 2020 Sustainability Report
continues to demonstrate Western's commitment to transparency,
accountability and continuous improvement on our most material
sustainability topics. Western plans to build on the progress made
in 2020 and continue to enhance and evolve our sustainable
practices and disclosure.
Our 2020 Sustainability Report is available on our website at
www.westernforest.com/responsibility.
About Western Forest Products Inc.
Western is an integrated forest products company building a
margin-focused log and lumber business to compete successfully in
global softwood markets. With operations and employees located
primarily on the coast of British
Columbia and Washington
State, Western is a premier supplier of high-value,
specialty forest products to worldwide markets. Western has a
lumber capacity in excess of 1.1 billion board feet from eight
sawmills and four remanufacturing facilities. The Company sources
timber from its private lands, long-term licenses, First Nations
arrangements, and market purchases. Western supplements its
production through a wholesale program providing customers with a
comprehensive range of specialty products.
Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains statements that may constitute
forward-looking statements under the applicable securities laws.
Readers are cautioned against placing undue reliance on
forward-looking statements. All statements herein, other than
statements of historical fact, may be forward-looking statements
and can be identified by references to future periods. Although
such statements reflect management's current reasonable beliefs,
expectations and assumptions, there can be no assurance that
forward-looking statements are accurate, and actual results or
performance may materially vary. Many factors could cause our
actual results or performance to be materially different, including
factors referenced under the "Risks and Uncertainties" section of
our MD&A in our 2020 Annual Report dated February 18, 2021.
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SOURCE Western Forest Products Inc.