By its very nature, the forest products industry plays a significant role in helping to mitigate global climate change. Forests act as a carbon sink by removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere through photosynthesis and storing it in tree trunks, soil and wood debris on the forest floor. CO2 is released only when trees burn or decay. In sustainably managed forests, when trees harvested for papermaking are replaced by natural regeneration or by planting, the net result is a carbon neutral exchange. By procuring wood only from sustainably managed forests where trees are perpetually re-grown, Verso Paper helps assure these forests remain healthy and productive for generations to come, which in turn assures their continuing contribution to greenhouse gas mitigation.

Verso Paper’s mills emit three primary greenhouse gases as a result of electric power production: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). Energy efficiency improvements, reductions in landfill disposal of sludge and increased use of carbon-neutral biofuels have contributed to Verso’s progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in recent years.

Verso recently conducted an assessment of its overall carbon footprint, including CO2 emissions and methane and nitrous oxide emissions measured as CO2 equivalents. We’ve achieved a 28% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per ton of production (intensity) since 1998. However, further reductions are part of our commitment to continuous environmental performance improvement. Our commitment includes:

• Increasing energy efficiency of our operations
• Optimizing the use of raw materials
• Optimizing the use of carbon-neutral biofuels
• Researching the differing carbon footprints of the paper grades we manufacture
• Using hydro-electric power where available
• Minimizing use of purchased energy
• Promoting sustainable forestry practices globally
• Promoting the recovery of paper, especially magazines and catalogs, for recycling

On the public policy level, Verso Paper supports a number of key global climate change propositions, including:

• Equal weight for economic, environmental and social considerations and the inclusion of both third-world and developed countries in any climate change solution.
• Accredited tracking and reporting of greenhouse gasses worldwide.
• Practical and verifiable carbon sequestration accounting methods.
• Incentives that promote the use of biomass fuel from sustainably managed forests.

Paper manufacturing is an energy-intensive business. At Verso Paper, we are working to continuously improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Most of the energy required to manufacture our products -- about 53 percent – comes from renewable, greenhouse gas-neutral biofuels. These include bark and other wood residuals, the solids that result from mill wastewater treatment, and spent pulping liquor generated as a byproduct in the manufacture of pulp from wood. We also use natural gas, coal and hydro-electric power to meet our energy needs.