UPM Pulp Matters 2/2023

The volume of trees in Finland has grown from 86 m 3 to 109 m 3 per hectare.

the worst years. Recently, adding more broadleaf trees has been on the agenda in Sweden. “Disturbances, such as fires, are an integral part of the forest’s renewal cycle, but when uncontrollable they can disrupt the forest industry and its ability to source materials locally. This can lead to a decline of the entire industry, as has happened in Western Canada,” Asikainen says. F orests have played a major role in Finland’s economic growth. The forest industry amounts to about EUR 20 billion in the country’s GDP annually. A distinctive feature in Finland is the large number of private forest owners, who possess 60% of productive forest land. The state owns 26% and private companies 9%, with the remainder belonging to other entities. Private forest owners wield considerable autonomy in decision-making regarding their forests. However, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has crafted science based guidelines for forest management, describing the best practices to manage and utilise forests sustainably. The forest law also sets basic requirements for sustainability.

But what motivates forest owners to make decisions concerning their forests with sustainability in mind? Statistics show that healthy forests are less vulnerable to threats such as pests or fires and grow better. In recent years the volume of trees in Finland has grown significantly, from 86 m 3 to 109 m 3 per hectare. And although trees are harvested at a younger age, their density has improved. The forest industry in Finland does not cause deforestation, and natural disasters affecting forests have been exceedingly rare. Elina Warsta notes a growing interest in Finnish experiences and knowledge related to sustainable forest management. “There is tremendous interest in the origin of wood. As part of my work I enjoy taking groups such as members of the European Parliament, our buyers or stakeholder groups to our forests to demonstrate what we do in practice. It’s eye-opening,” she adds. Diverse measures, from optimising forest density and renewal to implementing biodiversity-enhancing practices, are crucial to securing a sustainable industrial wood supply. Measurable goals and continuous development are key to enhancing biodiversity and forest wellbeing – leading to a more sustainable future.

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