The Memphis-based global producer of renewable fiber-based packaging, pulp, and paper products set 12 voluntary sustainability goals in 2012 -- called Vision 2020 Goals -- aimed at improving International Paper Co.'s (IP) impact on people and the planet.

Using a 2010 baseline, IP set objectives across the following categories: Fiber certification, recycling, safety, community engagement, energy efficiency, water stewardship, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, air emissions, supply chain, fiber efficiency, water quality, and solid waste.

The company's progress, as of 2018, toward its Vision 2020 Goals was recently released and can be seen below.

In March, the Memphis Business Journal sat down with Sophie Beckham, senior manager of Natural Capital Stewardship, Global Citizenship for IP, who discussed the company's progress as well as planning for its 2030 goals, which started more than a year ago. Those goals are expected to be released this fall.

During the March interview, Beckham said the 2030 goals will place a greater emphasis on social impact as well as on the environment.

"We may or may not hit every single goal, but as long as we're setting them with the best available information and we're applying the right level of ambition, I think that we will be doing our part. Making sure that resonates with our employees is going to be really critical to actually moving the needle," Beckham said.

2018 Progress on Vision 2020 Goals Fiber Certification

Vision 2020 Goal: Increase third-party certified fiber by 35 percent

2018 progress: 44 percent increase

Recycling

Vision 2020 Goal: Increase recovery of old corrugated containers (OCC) by 15 percent by exploring new sources and diverting usable fiber from landfills.

2018 progress: 50 percent increase

Safety

Vision 2020 Goal: Injury-free workplace

2018 progress: 35 percent reduction in serious safety incidents

Community Engagement

Vision 2020 Goal: Measure and report on IP's charitable support for hunger, education, health and wellness, and disaster relief in communities where IP is located

2018 progress: More than $110 million donated

Energy Efficiency

Vision 2020 Goal: Improve efficiency in purchased energy use by 15 percent

2018 progress: 8.9 percent improvement

Water Stewardship

Vision 2020 Goal: Integrate water management into regular facility assessment and proactively engage with stakeholders in communities to address water-related issues

2018 progress: Formed water stewardship governance team. Continued annual water risk assessments, with 65 percent of mills engaging local stakeholders on water

Supply Chain

Vision 2020 Goal: Establish processes promoting transparency, managing risk by monitoring, and identifying opportunities to collaborate with suppliers

2018 progress: Continuous improvement in policies and procedures to manage a more responsible supplier base

Fiber Efficiency

Vision 2020 Goal: Reduce fiber lost in the manufacturing process to less than 0.75 percent

2018 progress: 0.75 percent fiber loss

GHG Emissions

Vision 2020 Goal: Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 20 percent (direct and indirect)

2018 progress: 21 percent reduction

Air Emissions

Vision 2020 Goal: Reduce air emissions by 30 percent

2018 progress: 46 percent reduction

Water Quality

Vision 2020 Goal: Reduce mill water discharge of oxygen-depleting substances to receiving streams by 15 percent

2018 progress: 18 percent decrease

Solid Waste

Vision 2020 Goal: Reduce manufacturing waste to landfills by 30 percent and ultimately zero