Iggesund parent praised for sustainability

Holmen, the forest industry group to which Iggesund Paperboard belongs, has been included in the UN’s Global Compact (GC) 100, a new global stock index that combines sustainable business and financial performance.

Since 2007, Holmen has been a member of the UN Global Compact in which companies report their operations under 10 principles covering human rights, social conditions, the environment and anti-corruption. The GC 100 combines these results with a profitability requirement.

Holmen is one of five Swedish companies, and the only forest industry company based in Sweden, to be included in the top 100 judged to be the best at creating good returns through sustainable business practices.

The UN Global Compact developed the GC 100 in partnership with research firm Sustainalytics. The GC 100 comprises a representative group of Global Compact companies selected on the basis of their adherence to the Global Compact’s 10 principles and evidence of executive leadership commitment.

The GC 100 tracked the stock market performance of these companies over the past three years and compared the results against a broad market benchmark, the FTSE All World (pictured, below).

Lars Strömberg, Holmen’s director of sustainable and environmental affairs, said: ‘The companies in the GC 100 show a total return surpassing the general global stock market. This means that work on sustainability is a factor that is attracting increasing attention from investors.’

Strömberg added: ‘Naturally we’re delighted and proud to be included in the new GC 100 index. The UN Global Compact is an important platform for companies committed to sustainable development and the GC 100 index is a welcome addition.’

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