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Last week, The Navigator Company hosted a dynamic and insightful event titled "Navigator, on the Right Side of the Future,*" which focused on sustainability and its alignment with environmental and social goals. Two Sides, a guest at the event, observed how The Navigator Company is adapting to new regulations and advancing its sustainability initiatives. The event provided valuable insights into the company’s strategies, challenges, and achievements in the sustainability space.
Navigating the New EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)
One of the central topics of the event was the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which officially came into effect in 2023. The regulation aims to ensure that products linked to deforestation or forest degradation do not enter the EU market. For paper manufacturers like The Navigator Company, compliance with the EUDR is both challenging and essential. The company has proactively approached this regulatory change by implementing advanced tools and efficient systems to ensure compliance while maintaining operational efficiency. Key aspects of the EUDR include:
- Enhanced Requirements: Products like wood, cocoa, soy, and their derivatives must now originate from deforestation-free areas and be legally harvested. Companies must issue Due Diligence Statements (DSS) supported by accurate geogeographic data.
- Compliance Timeline: The phased implementation requires companies to meet the necessary standards by 2025 and 2026.
The Navigator Company has embraced these changes by revising its due diligence protocols and establishing seamless communication with stakeholders. The company’s traceability system maps every batch of wood, with 80% of the sourced wood originating from the Iberian Peninsula and 20% from South America. This precise mapping enables the company to link sourced wood with production outputs in Portugal and Spain, ensuring compliance and accountability.
The 2030 Agenda: A Comprehensive Sustainability Plan
The Navigator Company’s 2030 Agenda is a comprehensive roadmap that aligns business growth with environmental and social impact. The agenda outlines ambitious goals across various areas, including climate, nature, and community development. Key highlights include:
- Climate and Nature: The company aims to reduce Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 63% by 2035 and increase the use of renewable energy to 80% of total primary energy consumption by 2030. Additionally, nearly 100% of the wood sourced by the company is certified under FSC® and PEFC standards, ensuring sustainable forestry practices. The company has also invested over €350 million in decarbonization projects, including biomass boilers and lime kilns.
- Social Impact: The Navigator Company is deeply committed to community development, particularly in Mozambique, where initiatives focus on food security, clean water, and economic empowerment. The company also promotes forest literacy among children and local communities and supports education and youth employment through internships and university partnerships. Diversity and inclusion are also key priorities, with the company making significant strides in gender balance and inclusive hiring practices.
The company is also a leader in the circular bioeconomy, repurposing by-products and developing innovative solutions like molded cellulose packaging, which serves as an eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastics. These initiatives demonstrate that sustainable manufacturing can coexist with creativity and economic viability.
Accountability and Transparency
The Navigator Company emphasizes accountability and transparency in its operations. The company’s carbon footprint is benchmarked against CEPI’s "Ten Toes" framework, ensuring transparency from the sourcing of raw materials to the final product. The company’s approach goes beyond mere compliance, aiming to create lasting and meaningful change. The Navigator Company’s purpose is clear: "People, their quality of life, and the planet’s future are what inspire and move us."
Conclusion
The Navigator Company is setting a benchmark for leadership in sustainability. By proactively addressing regulatory changes, implementing ambitious sustainability goals, and fostering community development, the company is not just preparing for the future but actively shaping it. The event highlighted the company’s commitment to innovation, accountability, and environmental stewardship, making it a model for others in the industry to follow.
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