Environmental Excellence

Environmental excellence is foundational to operational excellence. Research, innovation and continuous improvement are helping us reduce emissions and unlock the full benefit of the resources in our value chain.

Through our approach, West Fraser is building on our legacy of the sustainability performance of our products and enhancing the social, environmental and economic benefit in the communities in which we operate.

Quick Facts

Headline

SBTi

One of the first Canadian forestry companies 
to commit to science-based emission reduction targets through SBTi

$50M

USD allocated for 
annual investment in decarbonization efforts, with an estimated total of $400M USD invested before 2030

100%

renewable electricity 
at our European and 
U.K. operations

$10M

grant funding awarded to assess biogenic carbon capture and sequestration

Climate Action

Setting & Achieving Targets

Our Scope 1, 2 and 3 emission reduction targets have been validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), and are aligned with climate science and the Paris Agreement 2030 goals. Developing our integrated carbon management and reduction portfolio is a priority. We established an internal price for carbon to align our performance with our SBTi commitment and continue incorporating it into our capital allocation and business decision-making processes. Working with our industry associations and partnerships, we adopt best practices and globally recognized methodologies for scenario analysis aligned with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).

Product Circularity

A Natural Climate Solution

Sustainably sourced timber and the products derived from that resource are a truly natural climate solution. From the forests we manage and source from, to how we operate, from efficiently utilizing resources to our renewable wood products that sequester and store carbon—West Fraser supports the circular economy.

Air, Water, Waste and By-products

Stewarding Resources

West Fraser is focused on the careful and trusted stewardship of all resources, and we have targets for improved resource efficiency and waste reduction.

Water, a vital natural resource, is carefully managed in our woodlands and manufacturing operations and we operate under strict regulations regarding the protection of watercourses. All of our emissions sources are authorized by respective regulatory agencies to meet applicable air quality standards, and we are continuing to prioritize air quality through our emissions reduction targets.

West Fraser uses 99% of each log we process. When we process trees into solid wood, pulp and paper, we create beneficial by-products that are valuable energy sources. We continue to explore new ways to use wood by-products, and this is an important way that the company is 
minimizing waste.

Nature & Biodiversity

Ecosystem Resilience

Managing for biodiversity and the resiliency of ecosystems is a core principle of our sustainable forests.

Active forest management ensures the long-term viability of forest ecosystems by implementing strategies that maintain ecosystem integrity, such as maintaining wildlife corridors, protecting sensitive habitats and promoting sustainable logging practices. This holistic approach fosters biodiversity, enhances ecosystem services and provides a framework for sustainable resource use, ultimately contributing to forest resilience.

Featured Story

Wildlife Rescue: A Happy Ending for a Nestling Goshawk

In mid-June, West Fraser’s Hinton, Alberta Woodlands team was alerted to a Northern Goshawk nestling in distress. A predator had disturbed its nest. Although the nestling was unharmed, it was still very vulnerable to the cold, wet weather and further predation.