Weyerhaeuser will place a big emphasis on environmental stewardship and ethics in its future growth plans, shareholders have been told.

Steven Rogel, Weyerhaeuser’s chairman, president and chief executive officer, speaking at the annual meeting of shareholders, said the company would seize growth opportunities while “operating ethically and to the highest environmental standards”.

Mr Rogel warned that unless the company, as an industry leader, helps society to understand the role wood can play in meeting basic human needs in an environmentally sound manner, wood will “not be the answer”.

He said Weyerhaeuser already practises sustainable forestry but he didn’t want it to become complacent.

&#8220The well being of our forests is too important to be reduced to incaccurate or misleading sound bites, single-cause approaches or dialogue between only two parties”

Steven Rogel, Weyerhaeuser chief executive officer

“We must engage in meaningful and respectful dialogue with all stakeholders to ensure the continued well-being of the forest ecosystem. The well being of our forests is too important to be reduced to incaccurate or misleading sound bites, single-cause approaches or dialogue between only two parties.”

Mr Rogel said there is more forestland in the US today than in 1920, while wildlife populations have also grown for many species thanks to efforts between communities, governments, native peoples, environmental groups and industry.