Assurance since 2004 for Nordic paper company

Since 2004, Two Tomorrows has been the independent assuror of the sustainability report produced by Stora Enso, the Finnish/Swedish paper, packaging and forest-products company.

Our role involves interviews with senior managers to assess governance arrangements and the link between business strategy and sustainability; a detailed review of data-collection systems; research into sector issues and best practice; and visits to Stora Enso sites to test data systems, stakeholder engagement mechanisms and materiality processes. In 2009, we visited the company’s sites in China and Germany. In previous years we have visited Stora Enso operations in China, Finland, Sweden, as well as Veracel, the company’s joint venture in Brazil.

Our assurance work for Stora Enso is conducted with reference to the AA1000 Assurance Standard (AA1000AS).

Following each assurance assignment, we are able to give our opinion on the accuracy and completeness of the report. For example, we have previously commented on the robustness of data collection systems, highlighting recent improvements as well as areas that needed attention.

In 2007, Stora Enso commissioned us to follow our assurance with a detailed management workshop on materiality. This identified and prioritised sustainability issues based on stakeholder feedback and company strategy. The outcomes of this workshop were used by Stora Enso to develop more responsive systems and reporting. In 2009 we undertook a stakeholder survey and interviews to understand stakeholders’ views on materiality.

Stora Enso 2009 sustainability report including our assurance statement (PDF file, 6.5MB)