Be inspired
Stable, resilient ecosystems are core to Sappi’s business, which is why we are inspired to work so hard to achieve the aims of SDG15: Life on Land and enhance nature positivity in line with our focus on a thriving world.
Almost half of all South Africa’s 1, 021 ecosystem types are threatened with ecological collapse and one in seven of the 23, 312 indigenous species that were assessed are considered threatened with extinction1.
Given that of the 399,996 ha of the plantations we own and lease, 261,605 ha are planted with the remainder managed to conserve the natural habitat and biodiversity found there, we have an opportunity to contribute to enhancing biodiversity. This is reinforced by our use of forest certification systems.
Sappi, communities close to our areas of operation and ultimately, all South Africans.
We promote healthy ecosystems in the plantations from which we source woodfibre – biodiversity indicators are incorporated into the internationally acknowledged, independent forest certification systems we use. These include the Forest Stewardship Council™ (FSC™ N003159) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC/01-44-43) – all our plantations are certified to both systems. In addition, 85% of the woodfibre supplied to our mills is certified.
The critically endangered Karkloof Blue Butterfly occurs on one of these protected areas on Sappi land.
The plan is for all Sappi nurseries to get an Ellepot system. Research shows that logistics costs can be reduced by switching from plastic inserts to paper pots. We are broadening our silviculture focus to also include transit nurseries so that we fully integrate the entire supply chain. Plants should not be in transit nurseries for more than three days before planting. We are encouraging our silviculture foresters to move to a just-in-time system so that we can seamlessly supply plants according to their schedules.
Those are the words of Wynand Swart, Divisional Nurseries Manager, commenting on Sappi Forests’ nurseries’ switch from plastic inserts to Ellepot paper pots to benefit from a propagation process that produces plants with a better root system and reduces transplant shock in-field.
Ellepot is a Danish company internationally recognised for the quality of plants propagated in its system of cylindrical paper pots, known as Ellepots. Accredited by the Forest Stewardship Council, their extensive range of papers is designed to degrade over a period suited to the crop.
Sappi Forests is installing an Ellepot propagation system at each of its cutting nurseries. One of the key advantages is that Ellepot cuttings are ready to leave Clan Nursery up to 20% earlier than those grown in plastic tubes. In addition, when the empty Ellepot and plastic insert trays are returned after planting, the Ellepot trays are quickly checked for damage, washed and ready for reuse. The plastic insert trays take much longer to prepare.
Our foresters are already experimenting with extending the planting season because of the higher chances of survival using Ellepot plants.
Our extensive plantations are ideal mountain bike trail terrain, particularly as approximately one-third of our plantations are unplanted and are managed for biodiversity. Under the Sappi Trails Programme, initiated as far back as 2011, we have made our plantations available for trail running and mountain bike trails. This has given our stakeholders access to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country and has also given them insight into our focus on a nature-positive world. In doing so, we’ve forged strategic partnerships with the mountain biking and trail running fraternity that have helped the sports grow at both recreational and competitive level.
One of our flagship partners, the Karkloof Country Club in KwaZulu-Natal, now offers both members and day visitors access to more than 250 kilometres of single track trails across our plantations.
Our support for mountain biking and trail running not only aligns with SDG15: Life on Land, but also with SDG17: Partnerships for the Goals and SDG8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. This is demonstrated by a study conducted by Tourism KZN on the Karkloof Classic Trail Festival in 2017 that showed that the event created a combined direct and indirect economic impact of ZAR234 million. To build on this study, we recently partnered with uMngeni Tourism to conduct a business impact study focused on nature-based tourism attractions and activities (NBTAAs) in the area. Direct economic impact of the NBTAA supply side is placed at ZAR88 million, while the estimated combined value of the NBTAA value chain is ZAR189 million from the demand side (tourists) and as much as ZAR151 million from the supply side (tourism businesses). Impressively, total direct jobs (direct employment in tourism businesses) were estimated at 513 jobs annually.
Collaboration with existing and new partners in our neighbouring communities is the key to unlocking the potential of nature-based tourism in line with our vision of a thriving world.
Performance against our Thrive25 target aligned with SDG15:
Life on Land
| Thrive25 target | 2019 base | 2022 target | 2022 performance | Assessment of performance |
| Share of certified fibre > 82% | 82% | > 82% | 85% |  |
| Enhance biodiversity in conservation areas by 10% | 0 | Implement action plans |
Action plans completed and implementation started |
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