Read more about regenerative forestry.
Aiming towards more vibrant forests
Metsä Group’s newly launched regenerative forestry makes best practices for enhancing natural conditions the standard in forestry. As a result, Finland’s forests will be passed on to future generations with greater biodiversity and climate-resilient.
Text: Maria Latokartano Photos: Metsä Group
Climate change and related biodiversity loss are among the most significant risks threatening the global economy and people’s livelihoods. For example, the UN has estimated that more than half of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is dependent on nature.1 “People can use nature in two different ways: either by completely replacing what exists or by building production that works with the original ecosystem. The first land use method has dominated globally, leading to many ecological challenges,” says Timo Lehesvirta , Leading Nature Expert, Metsä Group. Metsä Group, which includes Metsä Fibre, is committed to operating in ways that both mitigate climate change and help adapt to it. The foundation of the regenerative forestry launched by the company in spring 2023 is that forests are utilised in a manner that supports ecosystems and biodiversity.
Preparing for climate change
While strengthening the vitality and diversity of the forest ecosystem, regenerative forestry helps forests adapt to climate change. In Finland, average temperatures are predicted to rise faster than the global average. According to some studies, by the end of 2100, Finland needs to prepare for a climate that could be up to 6–9 degrees Celcius warmer than it is currently. 2 This year’s seedling stands will mature in approximately 80 years, when our climate will likely be very different from the current one. This means that we have to prepare for change now. “For us, regenerative forestry is a way to prepare for what’s coming. At the same time, it sends a signal to our customers: we are reacting now to safeguard the availability of raw wood material and to keep Finland forested,” says Vesa Junnikkala, Director of Sustainability, Wood Supply and Forest Services at Metsä Group.
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