Our Commitment

May 1, 2008 This policy covers all AbitibiBowater woodlands operations in Ontario, consistent with AbitibiBowater's corporate sustainable forest management vision . AbitibiBowater is committed to managing our forests in a manner that will secure the long-term viability of our business and enhance shareholder value, while maintaining environmental considerations in our planning and practices. We achieve this by implementing sustainable forest management (SFM) principles in our operations through continual improvement, balancing environmental, economic, social and cultural values.

TO MEET THESE COMMITMENTS WE WILL:

• Strive to meet or exceed the requirements of all applicable environmental and social laws and regulations and other requirements subscribed to by AbitibiBowater, including the prevention of pollution;
• Enforce our policy not to purchase wood from illegal sources;
• Develop sustainable forest management plans that take into account both timber and non-timber values while ensuring the conservation of biological diversity based on sound scientific principles;
• Actively engage First Nations Communities with the goal to have positive working relationships;
• Actively involve forest stakeholders in the development and implementation of forest management plans.
• Require appropriate training for company employees and contractors working in our forest operations and producing wood fiber for our mills;
• Support research and development that advances the understanding of forest science, management practices and sustainable forest management;
• Endeavour to incorporate forest certification best management practices during all phases of forest management activities, including:
  1. Prompt reforestation
  2. Maintenance of forest and soil productivity
  3. Protection of water quality
  4. Protection of waterbodies and riparian zones
  5. Efficient use of forest resources
  6. Protection of wildlife habitat
  7. Visual quality management
• Monitor, measure and periodically assess our performance through processes of auditing and management review to ensure continual improvement in our operations;
• Promote the use of forest certification best management practices among our external fiber suppliers, including private woodlot owners.