Which of the following is an example of a normalized metric for the pulp and paper industry?

The choice of dollars of revenue per metric ton of emissions as a normalized metric for the pulp and paper industry is appropriate because it allows for a comparison of economic performance relative to environmental impact. This metric provides a way to understand how efficiently a company generates revenue in relation to its emissions output. In industries like pulp and paper, where emissions can be significant due to the nature of production processes, normalizing revenue by emissions can help stakeholders assess the effectiveness of a company's sustainability initiatives.

This approach enables companies to evaluate their performance over time, benchmark against industry standards, and identify areas for improvement. It encapsulates both financial and environmental dimensions of sustainability, which are critical for stakeholders, including investors, regulators, and consumers, who are increasingly concerned about corporate sustainability practices.

In contrast, metrics such as the number of employees, total energy consumption, and average product lifespan do not provide a direct relationship between economic performance and environmental impact, making them less effective for normalization in this specific context. While these metrics can be important in their own right, they do not integrate both financial and environmental aspects as robustly as the chosen option.