Addressing climate change and biodiversity loss
Climate change and biodiversity loss are significant risks to the global economy and livelihoods. The UN estimates that over half of the world’s GDP depends on nature.
“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 is committed to mitigating climate change and helping ecosystems adapt through regenerative forestry, which supports both ecosystems and biodiversity.
Preparing for a changing climate
Regenerative forestry not only strengthens forest ecosystems but also helps them adapt to climate change. Finland’s average temperatures are expected to rise faster than the global average, potentially increasing by 6–9 degrees Celsius by 2100. This year’s seedlings will mature in about 80 years, necessitating immediate preparation for future climate conditions.
“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.
Strengthening the forest ecosystem
Regenerative forestry focuses on a holistic approach to forest ecosystems, providing various ecosystem services such as wood raw material, berry and mushroom crops, recreational activities, carbon sequestration, water purification, and soil erosion prevention.
Instead of maximizing individual services, regenerative forestry aims to optimize the overall state of the forest ecosystem. This approach ensures the greatest possible diversity and added-value potential for future generations.
“Overall optimisation helps us ensure the greatest possible diversity of the forest ecosystem so that future generations have access to its full added-value potential. In addition to wood production this includes carbon sinks, pollination services, berry crops and clean water,” says Lehesvirta.
Informing consumers and verifying positive change
A key principle of regenerative forestry is verifying positive change. Metsä Group is developing measurements to observe changes in biodiversity over time. By 2030, the company aims to have reliable data on forest resources and their changes, ensuring that verified results reach consumers. As an internationally significant player, Metsä Group’s actions in regenerative forestry aim to maximize the positive impact of using Nordic wood.
Metsä Group Plus service puts principles into practice
Metsä Group launched its new Metsä Group Plus service in the summer of 2023. It is a forest management model that utilises the principles of regenerative forestry. The model is targeted for owner-members of Metsä Group’s parent company, Metsäliitto Cooperative.
Measures that are more comprehensive than current practices and that support and improve the diversity of forests are agreed together with the forest owner in connection with wood purchases or orders for young stand management. The reach of the measures in the Metsä Group Plus service is remarkable, as Metsäliitto Cooperative’s owner-members own approximately half of Finland’s private forests.
Read more about Regenerative forestry
This article was originally published in Fibre Magazine issue 2025.