A project carried out during 2004 has assessed ways to measure the economic responsibility of Stora Enso’s operations and defined a preliminary set of economic performance indicators.

The focus of the project was on direct economic impacts at the corporate level. Direct and indirect economic impacts on local economies were considered through two pilot cases – Oulu Mill and Wood Supply Finland.

Stora Enso represents an industry that has traditionally played and still plays a major role in its home countries’ economic development. Stora Enso’s mills are often located in small communities, where they are major employers, taxpayers and significant business partners for many local enterprises. Understanding the relevance of the economic aspects of sustainability involves looking at local issues, and considering local realities. However, Group-level summaries of direct economic impacts can also give important information on how Stora Enso affects different stakeholders economically, and how the monetary flows behind its business operations are formed.