Climate Change Data

West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd.

Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2023)

Reporting Period: 2023

Environmental Metrics

Total Carbon Emissions:1712 kt CO2e
Scope 1 Emissions:952 kt CO2e
Scope 2 Emissions:760 kt CO2e
Scope 3 Emissions:7574 kt CO2e
Renewable Energy Share:77%
Total Energy Consumption:64,141,587 GJ
Water Consumption:42 million m³
Waste Generated:6535 thousand dry metric tonnes
Carbon Intensity:0.42 tonne CO2e/m³ (total emissions intensity)

ESG Focus Areas

  • Climate Action
  • Forestry
  • Biodiversity
  • Safety
  • Health and Wellness
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Indigenous Relations
  • Community Engagement
  • Business Ethics
  • Governance
  • Supply Chain Sustainability
  • Human Rights

Environmental Achievements

  • Reduced Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 15.5% compared to 2019 levels (34% of 2030 target achieved)
  • Reduced Scope 3 emissions by 5.5% compared to 2020 levels (22% of 2030 target achieved)
  • 77% of global energy consumption from renewable energy
  • 100% of mills completed decarbonization roadmaps
  • 65% of U.K. particleboard comprised of post-consumer recycled wood
  • 66 million seedlings planted in Canada
  • $18M USD invested in forestry research, science and technology

Social Achievements

  • Achieved the lowest serious injury rate in company history
  • $4.8M USD invested in communities through 500 partnerships
  • Launched Health and Wellness hub
  • Strengthened DEI policy and strategy
  • 650+ globally sponsored apprenticeships

Governance Achievements

  • Developed Supply Chain and Human Rights Policy
  • Established Supplier Code of Conduct
  • Harmonized Forestry Policy
  • 42% women on the Board of Directors
  • Improved overall Board diversity

Climate Goals & Targets

Long-term Goals:
  • Achieve 50% improvement in resource efficiency across all divisions (2030)
  • Reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions by 46.2% (2030)
  • Reduce Scope 3 GHG emissions by 25% (2030)
  • Reduce reportable environmental events by 50% (2030)
  • Achieve PAR gold certification (2030)
  • Achieve 90% circularity (2050)
  • Work towards achieving net zero
Medium-term Goals:
  • Achieve 10% improvement in resource efficiency in pulp (2025)
  • Complete water balance assessments for all operations (2025)
  • Complete flood/drought risk assessments for all affected operations (2025)
  • Develop company-specific EPDs for all product groups (2025)
  • Establish water use reduction plans for all pulp operations (2026)
Short-term Goals:
  • Implement standardized data collection systems for environmental data (2024)
  • Achieve 10% improvement in resource efficiency in lumber, panels, and engineered wood (2024)
  • Complete water balance assessments for all pulp mills (2024)
  • Reduce reportable environmental events by 10% (2024)
  • Complete land-based emission inventory (2024)

Environmental Challenges

  • Managing for biodiversity in an ever-evolving landscape
  • Supply chain disruptions due to climate events (wildfires, flooding)
  • Lack of commercially available low-emission forestry technology and equipment
  • Rising energy costs
  • Shifting policy on land use and forest conservation
  • Pressure and cost to transition to low-carbon technologies
  • Unprecedented wildfire season in 2023
Mitigation Strategies
  • Developing region-specific strategies for climate resilience
  • Developing site-specific climate adaptation action plans and divisional climate vulnerability assessments
  • Investing in energy efficiency and green energy ($95 million USD in 2023)
  • Entering into VPPAs for solar and wind energy
  • Piloting natural alternatives for resins
  • Engaging with suppliers and customers to leverage best practices and expand traceability
  • Participating in FireSmart programs
  • Collaborating with communities and emergency services during wildfires

Supply Chain Management

Supplier Audits: Annual external safety audits for all divisions; various certifications (e.g., BC Forest Safety Council, Alberta Forest Products Association, OSHA Voluntary Protection Programs, Safety Star standards)

Responsible Procurement
  • Supplier Code of Conduct
  • Supply Chain and Human Rights Policy
  • Forest Policy (2024)
  • Compliance with EUDR (Europe)
  • Compliance with Canadian regulations on Forced Labour in the Supply Chain (Bill S2-11)
  • Compliance with the U.K. Modern Slavery Act

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks
  • Wildfires
  • Flooding
  • Landslides
  • Extreme weather
Transition Risks
  • Rising energy costs
  • Shifting policy on land use
  • Pressure to transition to low-carbon technologies
  • Lack of commercially available low-emission technologies
Opportunities
  • Expansion of low-emission goods
  • Adoption of innovative technologies for decarbonization
  • Growth of bioenergy sales

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI, SASB, TCFD, UNGC

Certifications: SFI, FSC

Third-party Assurance: PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (limited assurance on Scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions)

UN Sustainable Development Goals

  • Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
  • Goal 13 (Climate Action)
  • Goal 15 (Life on Land)
  • Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)
  • Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)
  • Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

Various initiatives contribute to these goals through sustainable forest management, renewable energy use, emissions reductions, community investment, and stakeholder engagement.

Sustainable Products & Innovation

  • Biocomposites using pulp and recycled plastics

Awards & Recognition

  • West Fraser Green Awards (Inverness, U.K., Jefferson, Texas, Blue Ridge Lumber, Alberta)