Sylvamo
CEF Lead Executives
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JAMES MCDONALDList Item 1
Chief Sustainability Officer
James is responsible for developing and coordinating Sylvamo’s global ESG strategy, sustainability, community engagement programs, Sylvamo’s 2030 goals and key customer initiatives. Prior to this role, James worked with International Paper for 24 years, most recently as director of the global citizenship department, where he supported the creation of several enterprise wide programs, including setting the Vision 2030 goals. He also worked in the environment, health and safety organization where he held various positions dealing with workers’ health, environmental regulations, health and safety programs and sustainability initiatives. James has a bachelor’s degree in international studies, with an emphasis in Eastern European and Soviet foreign policy, from Rhodes College.
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JACE ATHOW
Sustainability Program Manager
Jace currently sits within Sylvamo’s Corporate Affairs group; more specifically, she is on the corporate Sustainability team that is responsible for issuing Sylvamo’s annual ESG report, amongst many other external reporting facets. She leads a cross functional team responsible for developing the strategy and tactics to achieve Sylvamo’s GHG emissions reduction goal. She also collaborates with the different staff groups to answer any ESG or climate-risk related questions our stakeholders may have. She began with IP in 2012, having roles in NAC finance, energy procurement and budgeting. While evaluating renewable energy projects for IP, she brought awareness and opportunities to leadership and this led to a passion for sustainability. She then moved into responsible sourcing where she assessed our supplychain risk, ultimately establishing a comprehension of all types of risk involved within ESG reporting. She graduated Mississippi State University with a Bachelors and Masters in Professional Accountancy.
Sustainability Goals
Current Sustainability Goals
Responsible Operations
- Reduce our Scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 35% and define a pathway to net zero emissions (2019 baseline).
- Reduce overall water usage by 25% and implement context-based water stewardship plans at all mills.
Sustainable Forests
- Source 100 of our fiber from sustainably managed forests while safeguarding forests, biodiversity and watersheds.
- Conserve, enhance or restore 250,000 acres of ecologically significant forestland globally.
Thriving People and Communities, specifically Inclusion & Diversity
- Achieve 30% overall women representation; 35% women in leadership positions and 25% minority representation in North American salaried positions and regional representation targets.
Latest Sustainability Reporting
Highlights
- Completed Phase 1 of its ESG materiality assessment process.
- Published company’s first ESG report.
- Established goals for 2030, focused on: sustainable forests; thriving people and communities; and responsible operations.
- Submitted its greenhouse gas reductions to Science Based Targets initiative (validated 2023).
- Globally, 53% of sourced fiber was Forest Stewardship Council and/or Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification certified.
- In 2022, announced a $3 million partnership with WWF, and joined WWF’s Forests Forward program, to further forest conservation and restoration efforts.
- Generated 83% of total mill energy needs from renewable, carbon-neutral biomass residuals rather than fossil fuels.
- Women made up 22% of global workforce and 27% of leadership in 2022.
- Racial/ethnic minorities made up 23% of North American workforce in 2022.
Recent News
2022
Joined the CEF member network in December 2022!
SYLVAMO — Announced a $3 million expanded partnership with World Wildlife Fund to further support forest conservation and restoration in key global regions, including Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, focusing on the Mogi Guaçu River basin, where Sylvamo has important manufacturing operations. (October 2022)
Press release
SYLVAMO — Announced a $1 million commitment to The Nature Conservancy supporting work that advances TNC's mission in Tennessee and the Appalachian Mountains. Sylvamo’s contribution will specifically support identifying, conserving and enhancing lands located within a network of natural highways and neighborhoods where plant and animal species have the best chance of thriving in a changing climate. (August 2022)