The International Council of Forest and Paper Associations (ICFPA) was founded in 2002. Currently forest and paper associations from 43 countries are united under the ICFPA leadership, representing approximately 90% of the world’s paper production and more than 50% of its wood production. The ICFPA has been active in promoting Sustainable Forest Management, climate change mitigation efforts, recognition of contribution of plantations as carbon sinks and combats illegal logging (ICFPA, 2011a).

In 2005, ICFPA published its “Sustainability” report that discusses the economic, social and environmental aspects of sustainability with respect to the forest and paper industry. The report stresses the importance of sustainable forestry and the sustainable use of its products in combating climate change. The publication states that CO2 emissions from pulp and paper production have declined in the range of 8 – 37% per tonne of product between the years 1990 and 2000 depending on the region. The report explains that this reduction in GHG emission intensity has been achieved through enhanced energy efficiency, switching to cleaner fuels and increased use of biomass. The report also adds that specific energy consumption in the pulp and paper industry decreased between 1990 and 2000 by 31% in Europe, by 7% in Japan and by 36% in Canada (ICFPA, 2011b).