Metsä Group calculates that around half the fossil carbon dioxide emissions from wood supply originate in harvesting, and the other half in transport. In 2022, emissions per cubic metre of wood were on average 10 kilograms, which is equivalent to driving around 80 kilometres in a passenger car. The goal is that by 2030 the emissions per cubic metre of wood procured will have been reduced by 30 per cent from current levels.
In the next few years, further solutions for reducing emissions are expected to be seen in wood transport, so Metsä Group's Wood Supply will first focus on reducing emissions especially in transport. Metsä Group has already reduced carbon dioxide emissions from wood supply by increasing its rail transport.
Metsä Group and Navalis Shipping collaborate in reducing carbon dioxide emissions in wood transport in the Baltic Sea region: together they plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions of maritime shipping by 30 percent per ton/mile by 2030 when compared to 2022 by investing in fleet renewal as well as in energy saving technologies.
Introduction of electric and biogas lorries
In the long term, the use of electric and biogas lorries will be an efficient way to reduce fossil carbon dioxide emissions from wood transport. The first biogas vehicles with an output comparable to diesel equipment have entered the market. Biogas lorries will be introduced into the transport of roundwood, chips and other by-products.
The first electric lorry models that are sturdy enough for wood transport are also entering the market. In the first stage, electric lorries could be used in terminal transport, for example. In terminal transport, the crane does not reduce the vehicle’s capacity, and there are plenty of charging spots.
At the Kemi bioproduct mill, Metsä Group is piloting the all-year use of electric wood transport lorries and charging infrastructure between the mill and the wood terminals. The test use experiences will be used to expand electric solutions to roundwood and by-product transport at the other production units. The project is an EU-funded ACE project.
Reducing emissions from harvesting
In May 2024, Metsä Group’s contract entrepreneurs began using the Phlebiopsis gigantea fungus for stump treatment and biodegradable oil to lubricate harvesters’ saw chains. Read more about the impact of this decision here.
In addition to adopting new methods, fossil carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced by making operations more efficient in wood transport and harvesting. This calls for even better optimisation of operations.
In wood transport, each additional kilometre increases emissions, so the goal is to reduce the average distance of transport operated with fossil fuels. The emissions from wood transport can also be reduced by choosing different modes of transport. In harvesting, machines are used in a chain, and unnecessary transfers are avoided. The structure of sites also plays a role – the larger and sturdier the felling site, the smaller the emissions.