Good forest management helps keep forests as carbon sinks

To combat climate change, we must keep our greenhouse gas emissions so small that carbon sinks can fully compensate for them. We can maintain forests’ carbon sinks by using wood sustainably, promoting forest growth and avoiding forest damage.

In Finland, active forest management has increased both the carbon sink and carbon storage of forests. Carbon storage has increased, because forests now have more wood than a hundred years ago, when the first national forest inventory was carried out. The carbon sink has also grown because our forests now grow better and more densely than before.

As a forest owner, you maintain the carbon sinks of forests by managing your forest well. The measures described on this page will help you to continue to look after your forest’s carbon sink.

Tips for forest owners on maintaining carbon sinks

  • Regenerate rapidly

    Regenerate rapidly

  • Use improved seeds and seedlings

    Use improved seeds and seedlings

  • Carry out or commission young stand management in time

    Carry out or commission young stand management in time

  • Leave at least ten per cent of broadleaved trees on the stand

    Leave at least ten per cent of broadleaved trees on the stand

  • Carry out thinning in time

    Carry out thinning in time

  • Consider crown thinning

    Consider crown thinning

  • Fertilise

    Fertilise

  • Exercise caution with ditch network maintenance in peatlands

    Exercise caution with ditch network maintenance in peatlands

  • Reforest non-productive land

    Reforest non-productive land

  • Ensure forest biodiversity at all stages of forest management

    Ensure forest biodiversity at all stages of forest management