Why Sappi Europe's record EcoVadis sustainability rating is such good news for Sappi customers
For the sixth year in a row, Sappi Europe has received top ranking from the global corporate sustainability ratings platform.
This summer saw Sappi Europe receive a top platinum rating from EcoVadis – the global ratings service that measures corporate sustainability practices against a range of parameters including environmental impact and business ethics. As well as achieving platinum status – ranking it within the top 1% of businesses in the pulp, paper and paperboard industry – Sappi Europe also attained a record score of 91/100. This is alongside a perfect 100 score within the environment category.
A credible, demanding ratings system
EcoVadis assessed the sustainability performance of more than 130,000 companies globally, including others in the paper industry such as Sofidel and Mondi, as well as the likes of Unilever, Virgin Atlantic and HSBC. Its ‘Sustainability Scorecard’ rates companies across 21 non-financial indicators, such as the environment, sustainable sourcing, business ethics and labour and human rights. Companies are rated by industry sector, with similar-sized companies evaluated together.
Rankings are not absolute, but use percentile thresholds so that businesses know where they stand compared to the rest of their industry. That means that a platinum rating will include only the top 1% of businesses.
A stronger sustainability story
Sappi’s EcoVadis participation is part and parcel of the company’s clear commitment to sustainability throughout its operations – and underlines for its customers and suppliers that Sappi is serious about achieving its set social and environmental performance goals.
Independent evaluation also provides an objective look at Sappi’s sustainability practices – measuring progress in key areas such as decarbonisation – so that customers can confidently gauge the company's sustainability performance.
All of this means that Sappi’s customers themselves are able to tell a stronger sustainability and responsible procurement story within their own marketplace. They can show that a key supplier has undertaken a tough, transparent third-party evaluation and achieved the highest score.
This is the sixth consecutive year that Sappi Europe has received the top ranking from EcoVadis. CEO Marco Eikelenboom commented, “Progress on key sustainability metrics doesn't happen overnight – this is a culmination of years of dedication and constant improvement."
