Port Hawkesbury Paper has released its 2025 Sustainability Report, outlining developments in renewable electricity, forest stewardship, environmental reporting, workplace safety and product innovation.
The report’s largest initiative is the Goose Harbour Lake Wind Farm in Guysborough County, Nova Scotia. Construction began in 2025, and the project remains scheduled to enter service by the end of 2026.
Once operational, the wind farm is expected to supply at least 60% of the mill’s annual electricity requirements. Port Hawkesbury Paper estimates that the project could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 350,000 tonnes annually, equivalent to approximately 2.4% of Nova Scotia’s total emissions in 2022.
Thirteen Mi’kmaw First Nations, represented by the Wskijnu’k Mtmo’taqnuow Agency, collectively hold a 10% equity interest in the project. Their participation is supported through the Canada Infrastructure Bank’s Indigenous Equity Initiative.
Environmental reporting and forest stewardship
During 2025, Port Hawkesbury Paper reviewed its emissions data-collection processes and aligned its greenhouse gas tracking with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. The internationally recognized framework is intended to improve the consistency, transparency and comparability of future emissions reporting.
The company also reported no non-conformities in its annual forestry audit, conducted by independent auditor Intertek. Port Hawkesbury Paper has maintained Forest Stewardship Council certification for 17 years and Sustainable Forestry Initiative certification for 11 years.
The company said the audit found that it exceeded the applicable protected-areas requirement, reporting 18% against a 10% threshold.
Safety, products and community investment
Port Hawkesbury Paper reported a recordable incident rate of 1.31 in 2025, up from 0.64 in 2024. The company said it introduced a layered auditing process to strengthen employee engagement, operational visibility and accountability across all levels of the organization.
The mill also expanded its product portfolio with the launch of Elevation Book, a premium book-grade paper developed for publishing and educational workbook applications.
Community initiatives included the second year of a four-year, C$100,000 commitment to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital’s Cancer Care Centre. The company also continued supporting the IWK Health Centre, education, youth programs and other community organizations.
Mill co-managers Bevan Lock and Mike Hartery identified the wind project as the company’s most notable area of progress during the year.
Port Hawkesbury Paper produces thermomechanical pulp and supercalendered, uncoated book, offset and specialty papers for customers in North America and other international markets.
The complete 2025 Sustainability Report is available on the company’s website.
