Logo
April 22, 2021
Press Release

AF&PA Responds to President Biden’s Leaders Summit on Climate

CONTACT: Tim Ebner

(202) 463-2587, comm@afandpa.org

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) President and CEO Heidi Brock released the following statement in response to President Joe Biden’s Leaders Summit on Climate held virtually today and tomorrow with world leaders:

“We welcome President Biden’s Leaders Summit on Climate. Paper and wood products manufacturers produce enormous amounts of carbon-beneficial bioenergy, integral to making sustainable products that meet essential needs around the world. Our industry will continue to create jobs and economic opportunities for Americans, especially as we push forward on a U.S. economic recovery effort.

“AF&PA was one of the first U.S. manufacturing industries to adopt a comprehensive, quantifiable set of sustainability goals a decade ago in our Better Practices, Better Planet 2020 initiative. Included in this effort was a goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which we cut 23.2 percent by 2018, surpassing our goal. Since the 1990s, we also cut our GHG emissions in half, and looking forward, we will soon release the industry’s new sustainability goals for 2030, including a new ambitious target for further greenhouse gas reductions.

“We urge the Biden Administration to support policies that recognize our industry is one based on a renewable and recyclable resource, that our products are manufactured using renewable bioenergy, and after use, are widely and highly recycled.

“Public policies are most effective when they meet the economic needs, environmental concerns and societal expectations of our diverse communities. Our progress in renewable energy and sustainability goals demonstrates that a balance is both possible and necessary.”

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) serves to advance public policies that foster economic growth, job creation and global competitiveness for a vital sector that makes the essential paper and packaging products Americans use every day. The U.S. forest products industry employs more than 925,000 people, largely in rural America, and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 44 states. Our industry accounts for approximately 4.7% of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufacturing more than $435 billion in products annually. AF&PA member companies are significant producers and users of renewable biomass energy and are committed to making sustainable products for a sustainable future through the industry’s decades-long initiative — Better Practices, Better Planet 2030. 

RELATED NEWS

Energy & Environment

Regulatory Reform

AF&PA Applauds Overdue EPA Regulatory Reconsiderations

We deeply appreciate the Administration recognizing that the complexity and volume of these regulations failed to balance costs and benefits, disregarded the best available science, and posed significant challenges for our industry.

Energy & Environment

Biomass Energy

AF&PA Disappointed in U.S. Department of the Treasury Final Rules for Technology-Neutral Clean Electricity Credits

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s (Treasury) final rule on clean electricity production and investment tax credits fails to recognize the carbon benefits of our industry’s biomass energy systems.

Regulatory Reform

Energy

AF&PA Welcomes SCOTUS Ruling on Good Neighbor Ruling and Chevron Deference

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) supports the U.S. Supreme Court’s decisions to stay the EPA’s “Good Neighbor” plan and overturn the Chevron precedent. These rulings save AF&PA members millions and promote sustainable regulation.

View All News