WWF and Mondi to sustain ecosystems through responsible business practices

Gland, 20 February 2014 – WWF and Mondi Group announced today that they will work together in a three-year strategic partnership that focuses on increasing environmental stewardship in the packaging and paper sectors.

The partnership, which links one of the largest packaging, pulp and paper producers in the world with the world’s largest conservation organisation, sends a strong signal that addressing environmental sustainability makes good business sense.

The partnership will focus on minimising the impacts of Mondi’s operations on forests, climate and water, and encouraging sustainable practices in the industry.

The work programme will cover three main areas -  

• Ecosystem Stewardship - building on the successful Mondi Wetlands Programme in South Africa, this work will focus on protecting high conservation value ecosystems in Russia and other regions and increasing the value and resilience of multi-functional production landscapes in South Africa.

• Manufacturing Stewardship –further reducing the water and climate footprint of Mondi’s operations and promoting resource efficiency, recycling and longevity of products, including the cascading use of wood and forest products where appropriate.

• Product Stewardship – further enhancing the environmental performance of Mondi’s products through; among others - credible certification and efficient life-cycle use of materials in their paper and packaging products.

“As population grows and competition for land increases, forest-based industries that rely on renewable resources can play an important role in protecting and managing vital ecosystems,” says Jim Leape, Director General of WWF International. “Companies like Mondi that choose to contribute to sustainable resource use and nature conservation are ensuring their own long-term viability, while contributing to the well-being of people and the planet today.”

David Hathorn, Group CEO Mondi says, “Mondi and WWF have a successful association working together on projects. This international partnership enables us to join forces on a larger scale. Sustainable development is integral to our business, and we are very pleased to be working with WWF as we continue to reduce our footprint and share responsible practices across our industry and beyond.”

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Contact:

Mondi                                                                                                WWF                         

Lora Rossler                                                                         Niki Parker

Group Corporate Affairs Manager                                         Corporate Communication Manager

Tel: +27 31 451 2040 +27 83 627 0292                                  Tel: +41 22 364 9072/

Email: lora.rossler@mondigroup.co.za                                  +41 79 955 9952
Email: nparker@wwfint.org

About WWF
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with over 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

About Mondi

Mondi is an international packaging and paper Group, with production operations across 30 countries and revenues of €5.8 billion in 2012. The Group's key operations are located in central Europe, Russia, the Americas and South Africa and as at the end of 2012, Mondi employed 25,700 people.

Mondi Group is fully integrated across the packaging and paper value chain, from the growing of wood and the production of pulp and paper (packaging paper and uncoated fine paper), to the conversion of packaging paper into corrugated packaging, industrial bags, extrusion coatings and release liner. Mondi is also a supplier of innovative consumer packaging solutions, advanced films and hygiene products components.

Mondi Group has a dual listed company structure, with a primary listing on the JSE Limited for Mondi Limited under the ticker code MND and a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange for Mondi plc, under the ticker code MNDI. The Group has been recognised for its sustainability through its inclusion in the FTSE4Good Global, European and UK Index Series (since 2008) and the JSE's Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) Index since 2007. The Group was also included in the Carbon Disclosure Project’s (CDP) Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index for the third year and in CDP’s Carbon Performance Leadership Index (CPLI) for the first time in 2012.