Stora Enso has signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to address the key findings of the environmental and social impact assessment of Stora Enso's plantations in China's Guangxi Province.

During a five-year period, Stora Enso and UNDP will co-operate to conserve biodiversity in Guangxi and to improve community well-being. The results of the environmental and social impact assessment, which is not yet a common practice for plantation projects in China, were also published at the signing ceremony.

According to the results of the study, there are no major environmental or social issues that could jeopardise Stora Enso's plantation project in Guangxi.

Environmental impacts identified in the study will be managed with Stora Enso's good plantation management practices. In the social dimension, Stora Enso aims to continue and strengthen the engagement with local landholders and communities.

"Based on our experience, we firmly believe that this type of study has to be carried out in co-operation with a reliable partner to provide a transparent process where the results are published and is in line with our financial goals," commented CFO Hannu Ryopponen, present at the signing ceremony. "It increases the credibility of the project and it helps Stora Enso win the acceptance of stakeholders."