Press release from UPM said the company was recognized as one of the world's 37 most sustainable companies by the UN Global Compact, the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative. The company received the LEAD Participant status as the only forest industry representative and the only Finnish company. UPM has had the LEAD status since 2016.

"LEAD companies represent the highest level of engagement with the UN Global Compact. More than ever before, the world needs businesses of all sizes - like the ones announced as LEAD today - that continuously work to improve their sustainability performance and take action to build a better world," says Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact.

"Responsibility is integrated into our Biofore strategy. Our clear purpose - We create a future beyond fossils - is guiding our daily operations," says Sami Lundgren, VP, UPM Responsibility. "UPM has made two significant global climate commitments, UN Business Ambition for 1.5℃（Limit temperature rise to 1.5℃ from pre-industrial level) and the Climate Pledge by Amazon and the Global Optimism, both initiatives showing the way towards net-zero emissions," Sami Lundgren continues. UPM's goal is to mitigate climate change and drive value creation through innovating novel products, committing to a 65% Co₂ emission reduction and by practicing climate-positive forestry.

UPM employs 18,000 people in its six business units - Biorefining, Energy, Raflatac, Specialty Papers, Communication Papers and Plywood - that are implementing the new strategy to mitigate climate change and innovate for a future beyond fossils.

Available information shows that since the establishment of UPM (China) in 1995 and mill construction in 1998, UPM's business in China has developed rapidly, with a cumulative investment of more than 2 billion U.S. dollars, and has successively built fine paper and label materials production complexes, as well as Asia R & D Center. UPM (China) Co., Ltd. is one of the largest chemical wood pulp offset paper and copy paper manufacturers in China. Its products include printing paper, office paper, specialty paper and label materials at the combined annual production capacity of 1.4 million/mtpy. Since 2016, the company's investment in environmental protection has gradually increased. It is estimated that by 2030, the amount of process wastewater will be reduced by 30% per metric ton on the existing basis, COD emissions will be reduced by 40% per metric ton and the amount of waste landfilled will be reduced to zero.