Domtar shares its view on ESG agenda at manufacturing event
During MX.0Southeast, the company's vice president of sustainability shared more about its overarching ESG approach framework and perspective
Domtar, a part of the Paper Excellence group of companies, recently shared its view on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, as well as its approach to this agenda.
As today’s businesses—especially manufacturing companies—are facing more questions from customers and consumers about the sustainability of their products and practices, Paige Goff, Domtar’s vice president of sustainability, recently spoke to business leaders at an MX.0Southeast event focused on data-driven, resilient and sustainable manufacturing. On the occasion, she shared more about the comprehensive structure of Domtar’s ESG approach and outlook.
For Goff, when people talk about costs as a barrier to being more sustainable, it is more expansive to do nothing. “There is an initial investment, but it pays off in the long run”, says the executive. “Our customers expect us to do the right thing and be responsible stewards of the environment. Our reputational risk is their reputational risk.”
Likewise, she also states that an effective ESG approach is important for recruiting and retaining talent.
DOMTAR’S ESG APPROACH
The company claims that within its approach, the environmental agenda – the “E” of ESG – receives the most attention. This is an area in which Domtar has been a leader – mainly in forestry – with an emphasis on environmental responsibility and care for natural resources.
To putting into practice improvements in its priority areas — water, waste, emissions, fiber sourcing, safety, community engaging, and diversity and inclusion — Domtar created working groups, with experts from each area.
“Though carbon is the ‘it’ word right now,” Goff says, “we have long been focused on the bigger picture. Our ESG committee is deliberate about our environmental stewardship in a broad range of areas, including water management, responsible fiber procurement, transportation and more. These really take our efforts beyond just carbon and emissions — though that’s important — to see how we can improve in a number of areas.”
Governance strategies – the “G” of ESG – also play a crucial role. “Governance is how we connect the dots from senior leadership to the frontlines of manufacturing,” Goff says. “Our ESG committee includes leaders from across the organization with a diverse collection of roles and responsibilities.”
At the same time, the social aspect – the “S” of ESG – is not overlooked. “Our social responsibility is important to us. We have a legacy of being a good neighbor in our communities, long before ESG was its name. We continue to invest in the places where we operate so that our employees and our communities will thrive together,” she concludes.
