WWF Congratulates Catalyst Paper for their Pledge to Drastically Reduce its Carbon Emissions

Catalyst Paper signed a memorandum of understanding at the United Nations Conference on Climate Change, joining World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) Climate Savers Program.

Catalyst Paper (TSX:NS), a leading paper producer, reached an agreement with WWF and the Center for Energy & Climate Solutions (CECS) committing to significant actions that will reduce heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions. These efforts are part of the growing trend of businesses, states and local communities taking direct action to address the challenge posed to nature and people by global warming.

“Climate change poses a fundamental threat to WWF’s mission and we recognize the importance of the climate program to our conservation vision.” says Arlin Hackman, Chief Conservation Officer, WWF-Canada. “The Catalyst Paper Climate Saver commitments are the first in Canada. We look forward to forging many new alliances with leading businesses throughout North America, building on the existing base of nine companies.”

By 2010, WWF Climate Savers companies will collectively reduce carbon pollution by some 9 million tons annually, approximately the amount generated by 2 million cars or 800,000 houses each year.

Catalyst Paper also makes mechanical printing papers used in catalogues, magazines, ad inserts and daily newspapers. Having already significantly reduced CO2 emissions, the company has committed to cut them even further through lower energy consumption, fuel switching from fossil fuels to biomass, better equipment efficiency, and monthly tracking of CO2 emissions.

“Saving energy and combating climate change go hand and hand. We know that by making smart choices about fuel use, we lower greenhouse gas emissions, increase air quality and reduce operating costs. In the last two years alone we cut our fossil fuel use by 36 percent, the equivalent of 600,000 barrels of oil per year, saving us millions in energy costs,” said Lyn Brown, Vice President for Corporate Affairs & Social Responsibility, Catalyst Paper. “WWF’s Climate Savers program will help us to stay focused on future climate impacts as we make day-to-day operating decisions.”

“The debate over whether global warming is happening is over. These companies get the message and are taking action, benefiting people and nature. I applaud these leaders for working with WWF to be part of the solution,” said Hans Verolme, director of the WWF-US Climate Change Program. “These companies have already increased efficiency by leaps and bounds. Conserving energy and shifting to clean energy has never been easier.”

“These efforts by companies send a strong signal that addressing climate change is not only doable, but smart. There are billions of dollars in energy savings out there for the taking.” said Dr. Joseph Romm, director of the Center for Energy and Climate Solutions, former Acting Assistant Energy Secretary of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and author of Cool Companies: How the Best Businesses Boost Profits and Productivity By Cutting Greenhouse Gas Emissions.