Ryerson CSR Institute Panel Discussion: Asia Pulp & Paper Turnaround-Sept. 18-2015

Ryerson University’s Institute for the Study of Corporate Social Responsibility is pleased to present a panel discussion entitled “From Sustainable Forestry Pariah to Good Performer? Panel Discussion Exploring the Asia Pulp and Paper Turnaround Story,” to be held on Friday, September 18, from 12 noon until 2 pm, at the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University (55 Dundas West, Toronto, Room TRS 3-099, on the ninth floor). Panellists include Ian Lipshitz (APP), Shane Moffatt (Greenpeace) and James Sullivan (forestry certification and accreditation expert) (more bio info below). This event is co-sponsored by the Ryerson CSR Student Association and the Ryerson Commerce and Government Association.

APP has recently attracted considerable attention in terms of their efforts to adopt more sustainable forestry practices. A recent article in Corporate Knights (Jan. 10th, 2015) provides a succinct synopsis of the company's more recent history ( http://goo.gl/ciuPHB ). British environmentalist George Monbiot once described APP as “one of the most destructive companies on the planet." Starting in February 2013, the company began a turnaround, beginning with the rollout of its Forest Conservation Policy, and its subsequent commitment to adherence to a forestry certification standard. Working with Greenpeace International and other organizations such as The Forest Trust, APP seems to be making strong efforts to better understand how it can simultaneously achieve both business and sustainability goals, with the ultimate objective being the achievement of a zero deforestation business model. At one point, Greenpeace International was one of APP's staunchest critics, and now APP and Greenpeace International are finding ways of working together.

The purpose of this session will be to explore and better understand this seeming successful forest sustainability turnaround story. The panel discussion should be of value to anyone interested in non-state resource governance initiatives that support public interest objectives. Scholars and students, companies, industry associations and consultants, government officials, non-governmental organizations, community representatives, and interested members of the public are welcome to attend. Among other things, the discussion will address APP's journey from seeming sustianable forestry (SF) pariah to apparent reformed sustainable forestry convert, the role of forestry certification, challenges, and next steps.

Although there is no cost for attending the panel discussion, seating is limited, and you must register to attend. Register here:

http://ryerson-csr-institute-app.eventbrite.ca

About the Panellists

Ian Lifshitz

Ian Lifshitz is the North American director of sustainability and public affairs for Asia Pulp & Paper Group (APP). He is responsible for leading the company's sustainability and media relations and other related stakeholder engagement programs across Canada, the United States and South America. Ian is also charged with leading the company's North American CSR activities, translating many of APP's successful conservation, biodiversity and social community programs to American audiences.Ian is a strong advocate of emerging nations' rights to independently manage their own natural resources, while balancing economic and environmental priorities. He is a regular contributor to both environmental and paper industry publications, as well as a regular participant in industry roundtables and forums. Ian has 15 years of strategic communication expertise, and has consulted with many international organizations, developing environmental and corporate social responsibility programs.

Shane Moffat

Shane Moffatt is a Forest Campaigner with Greenpeace Canada. He received his law degree from University College Dublin and Université Paris X Nanterre, and his LLM from the University of Toronto. After working in the human rights sector internationally and in Ireland, Shane moved to Toronto in the mid 2000s. His work with Greenpeace has focused on the Indonesian rainforest and Canadian Boreal Forest, and involves outreaching to Indigenous communities, engaging major forest products customers and raising public awareness of sustainable forest management. In his spare time, Shane likes to get out into Canada’s wilderness and beyond, ideally hiking or kayaking. He currently resides in Toronto and still appreciates its great diversity and the wealth of food this entails.

James Sullivan

James Sullivan (Bachelors, University of St. Thomas; Master of Divinity, St. Michael's College, U of T, and MA in Regional Planning and Resource Development from U of T and the Toronto School of Theology) has worked extensively on standards, accreditation, certification, and labelling issues, at the national and international level. His experience includes Founding chair of Forest Stewardship Council Canada, Deputy Executive Director of FSC International, Member of the Canadian Delegation to ISO TC 207 (developing the ISO 14000 series of standards), participant in the ISO sustainable forest management system standard and founder of the International Social and Environmental Accreditation and Labelling Alliance (ISEAL). James’ experience in developing and developing standards and core systems for certification schemes extends to include aspects of Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), Fairtrade International, Equitable Food Initiative (EFI), GreenScreen (a project of Clean Production Action), International Fishmeal and Fish Oil Organisation (IFFO), and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). James is a member of the ISEAL Alliance Technical Committee and the board of directors for Greenpeace Canada.

For further information concerning the Ryerson University CSR Institute, go to: - http://www.ryerson.ca/csrinstitute/

Or contact Dr. Kernaghan Webb - kernaghan.webb@ryerson.ca

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Regards,

Dr. Kernaghan Webb, LL.B., LL.M., LL.D.

Associate Professor,

Department of Law and Business

Ted Rogers School of Management

Founding Director, Institute for the Study of Corporate Social Responsibility

Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Phone: 416-979-5000 ext. 2478

Fax: 416-979-5266

Email: kernaghan.webb@ryerson.ca

Website: www.ryerson.ca/csrinstitute