Sustainability 2030 targets

With our sustainability 2030 targets we are committed to safeguarding natural biodiversity, mitigating climate change and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, healthy workplace communities and ethical operations.

Sustainable operations are the foundation of Metsä Board’s business. Our sustainability targets are based on our strategy, the double materiality assessment of sustainability matters and the entire Metsä Group’s sustainability targets. Our materiality analysis is updated annually as a part of Metsä Group’s analysis.

Based on the materiality analysis we have identified seven key material topics that guide our work towards our sustainability 2030 targets. The topics take into account the most significant impacts throughout our value chain, and are divided into three themes: Environment, Social and Governance. Our sustainability 2030 targets are categorised according to these ESG perspectives. Our sustainability targets contribute to the realization of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

At Metsä Board we track the progress towards the 2030 targets mainly at Metsä Board level. As forest management services, procurement of wood, and procurement of other raw materials and services are handled by Metsä Group’s operations, the targets pertaining forest management, biodiversity and the joint targets with partner suppliers have been set the level of Metsä Group.

Review our key material topics below.

Environment

We are part of Metsä Group, whose wood supply and forest services is responsible for all our wood procurement. Metsä Group is committed to safeguard and enhance biodiversity by increasing the conditions required by species and preserving valuable habitats.

Metsä Board is aiming for 100% fossil free production and products by the end of the year 2030. This target includes both emissions from the company’s own energy production (Scope 1) as well as purchased energy (Scope 2).

Our greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets are endorsed by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and meet the strictest requirements of the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels.

For water and energy use, Metsä Board's target is 35% reduction in process water use per product tonne, and a minimum of 10% energy efficiency improvement by the end of the year 2030. We are also aiming to have zero waste delivered to landfill.

Safeguarding biodiversity and ecologically sustainable forestry
Safeguarding biodiversity and ecologically sustainable forestry

Our activities towards 2030

We diversify the tree species in the forest. Diverse forests are resilient to the various risks posed by a warming climate, such as extreme weather conditions or insect pests.

We recommend planting mixed forests. We leave a variety of tree species in the forest, both in tending and in thinning.

We increase the amount of decaying wood for the species that need it.

We ensure that herb-rich forests and ridges provide habitat for endangered species. Burned and charred wood is also needed for specialised species.

Indicators by 2030

At Metsä Group level:

100% of regeneration sites have retention trees
100% of harvesting sites have high biodiversity stumps
0% spruce as the only tree species growing after young forest tending
10,000 actions to increase biodiversity, such as
- Burned retention tree groups
- Nature management for herb-rich forests and ridges
- Water protection
- New Metso protection areas for our owner members
- FSC® nature site service contracts

Supporting UN sustainable development goals
Mitigating climate change and reducing emissions
Mitigating climate change and reducing emissions

Our activities towards 2030

Change to renewable fuels in our mills, so we will not emit fossil-based carbon dioxide into the atmosphere (Scope 1 emissions)

Purchase fossil-free electricity and heat (Scope 2 emissions, market-based)

We encourage our suppliers to set greenhouse gas emission reduction targets (Scope 3 emissions)

Change to raw materials and packaging materials which are free of fossil carbon by finding solutions together in our value chain

Keep forests vibrant, thriving and healthy by increasing their management and use in line with research-based recommendations

Recommend that peatland forests be grown continuously to minimise the impact of forestry on water and to prevent unnecessary release of carbon sequestered in peat into the atmosphere

Increase of wood-based products with long carbon sequestration time

Indicators by 2030

0 t of fossil-based CO₂ emissions (Scope 1 & 2)
100% of fossil free raw materials and packaging materials
70% of target group suppliers have set SBTi targets by 2024 (Scope 3)

At Metsä Group level:

+30% regeneration and tending area in forest*
+50% forest fertilization area*
+30% continuous covered forestry in peatland forests
+30% carbon sequestered in products **

* hectares, compared to 2018
** CO2-ekvivalent, compared to 2018

Supporting UN sustainable development goals
Sustainable production and efficient use of resources
Sustainable production and efficient use of resources

Our activities towards 2030

We reduce our water use by developing and renewing production processes and introducing new technologies

Improving the use of electricity, heat and fuels to increase energy efficiency

Finding new uses for the waste generated in our production, together with our partners

Indicators by 2030

-35% process water use per tonne*
+10% energy efficiency improvement**
0 t process waste to landfill

* m³/t, compared to 2018
** energy efficiency index, compared to 2018

Supporting UN sustainable development goals

Social

We are committed to respecting human rights and developing a responsible corporate culture in which everyone has the opportunity to be accepted and succeed. We promote organisational diversity and gender equality, for example by anonymous recruitment and supporting career opportunities for women as leaders.

Safety is our top priority in everything we do and everyone at Metsä Board has the right to a safe workplace. We aim for zero accidents.

Promoting diversity, equality and inclusion
Promoting diversity, equality and inclusion

Activities towards 2030

Promoting organisational diversity and gender equality, for example by anonymous recruitment and supporting career opportunities for women as leaders

Indicators by 2030

At Metsä Board level:

100% anonymous recruitment in job vacancies
>30% of women in management

Supporting UN sustainable development goals
Promoting safety and well-being at work
Promoting safety and well-being at work

Activities towards 2030

Promoting safety at work by investigating all incidents and learning to act preventively

Promoting job satisfaction and measure it through personnel survey

Indicators by 2030

At Metsä Board level:

0 accident frequency rate (TRIF)
AAA personnel job satisfaction index on very good level

Supporting UN sustainable development goals

Governance

We aim to have a culture of doing the right thing in our own operations and to also ensure the sustainability of our suppliers, customers and other partners.

The sustainability of Metsä Board’s business conduct is guided by applicable legislation as well as our values, Metsä Group’s Code of Conduct and various policies approved by Metsä Board’s Board of Directors. We require our suppliers to comply with our Supplier Code of Conduct.

We are committed to acting in compliance with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and respecting internationally recognised human rights, as declared in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and ILO Labour Standards.

Supply chain sustainability in Metsä Group

Innovation and open-minded cooperation
Innovation and open-minded cooperation

Our activities towards 2030

We agree common sustainability targets with our key suppliers

Developing new wood-based products with partners

Read also: Metsä Group’s innovation company Metsä Spring

Indicators by 2030

100% Of key suppliers: common sustainability target with Metsä

Supporting UN sustainable development goals
The impact of a forest-based bioeconomy for society
The impact of a forest-based bioeconomy for society

Our activities towards 2030

We use all the wood for the best suitable application and process wood raw material efficiently

The wood fibre we use is traceable and meets the requirements of PEFC and FSC® chains of custody (PEFC/02–31–92, FSC®-C001580). We also source other raw materials from sustainable sources and verify the origin, for example through supplier assessments

By increasing the share of certified wood in our timber supply, we support, among other things, the working conditions of forest workers and ensure that the rights of indigenous peoples are not violated in our forest areas

We will direct our purchases to suppliers whose responsibility has been verified and thus support overall social change towards more sustainable practices in the supply chain

Indicators by 2030

100% traceability of raw materials
>90% share of certified wood
All suppliers 100% commitment to Supplier Code of Conduct
Core suppliers: 100% supplier assessments and audits done
Partners: 100% common sustainability target with Metsä

Supporting UN Sustainable Development Goals