Metsä Fibre uses Nordic wood from sustainably managed forests in areas where the forests grow more than they are used. The most significant tools to ensure sustainable forest management and a traceable origin of wood are the certification schemes PEFC (PEFC/02-31 03) and FSC® (FSC-C014476).
We are committed to safeguarding natural biodiversity. Our 2030 sustainability targets include ensuring that 100% of harvesting sites have high biodiversity stumps and all regeneration felling sites have retention trees.
Regenerative forestry to safeguard natural biodiversity
In 2023 Metsä Group launched the regenerative forestry programme which aims at safeguarding biodiversity while boosting economic growth and natural assets. The measures include for example increasing the diversity of tree species in forests, protecting valuable habitats and specific programmes for protecting different types of forests and environments.
Natural biodiversity is also safeguarded through increasing the amount of decaying wood and by preserving valuable habitats. In commercial forests, decaying wood is created by stumps, high biodiversity stumps, logging residue, dead parts of living trees and fallen trunks. Decaying wood provides a habitat for many threatened species.
Regenerative forestry relies on measurements and studies to demonstrate that the state of forest nature is improving. Aside from wood production, other ecosystem services are measured; carbon sinks, clean water, berries, mushrooms, recreation and the prevention of erosion.
Forest regeneration is always part of sustainable forest management, and we require environmental values such as safeguarding biodiversity, to be considered in all forestry measures. Forests are always regenerated after felling, and Metsä Group uses domestic tree species and seedlings in forest regeneration.
In addition, forest owners can use Metsä Group Plus forest management model that pays attention to forest biodiversity and forest nature in the implementation of forest work. Under the model, more retention trees and high biodiversity stumps are left per hectare of forest during felling.
Responsible wood sourcing
Metsä Forest procures all the wood used by Metsä Fibre’s production units.
The wood we use is traceable and comes from certified or controlled forests. The wood supply does not cause deforestation. All the countries from which we procure wood have issued legislation requiring forests to be renewed after harvesting. We always ensure the legality of our wood supply, as well as the acceptability and sustainability of our supply chain.
