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Screened B/0. An Environmental Analysis has been prepared in accordance with the EBRD's requirements by UPM-Kymmene's environmental specialists on the basis of investigations conducted by independent consultants. The investigations included an environmental assessment that was carried out as part of a technical-economic assessment of the project (TEO) in accordance with the requirements of the Russian law; an environmental site assessment; a field survey of the project area and its surroundings and laboratory investigations. The Environmental Analysis showed that the Project has been structured to meet Russian environment, health and safety (EHS) requirements and EU environmental standards, that environmental protection measures have been fully incorporated in the project design and that the construction and the operation of the Sawmill will follow up internationally defined criteria for environmental protection and workers' health & safety.
Due to the nature of sawmill operations, the main impacts on the environment arise from wood procurement. The sawmill will implement UPM's wood procurement procedures that are based on internationally recognised standards of sustainable forest management and mitigate potential negative impacts of wood procurement on the environment by using approved wood suppliers only. The selected suppliers are required to:
- comply with all the applicable laws, acts and legal requirements
- have a right to sell the wood material
- know the origin of the wood and give the required information to UPM, and
- obey the principles of sustainable development.
The acceptability of the suppliers is controlled by field audits on a regular basis. The results of the supplier audits and the descriptions of the reliability of the suppliers are documented by UPM-Kymmene.
UPM-Kymmene has documented operational guidelines for the operational quality, environment, health and safety. The sawmill will introduce best available technology and adhere to all UPM-Kymmene's corporate policies and standards. It will develop quality and environmental management system in accordance with ISO -standards in order to be integrated in UPM Kymmene sawmills' corporate wide certification. The sawmill will systematically monitor and report its environmental and health and safety impacts in line with UPM-Kymmene's operational standards for internal and external reporting.
In accordance with Russian law, the project has been subject of formal public disclosure and public consultation prior to obtaining the construction permit. UPM-Kymmene have held discussions with local authorities and two public consultation meetings nearby the project site, in which the public expressed its general support to the project. The sawmill is committed to continue working in a close relationship with the local community.
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