As Eva Gustafsson, Sustainability Strategist, explained, the forest is key to reducing climate impact and plays a major role in the green transition, contributing to a fossil-free society. We want to be a leader in climate neutrality, and we have clear roadmap towards net zero. We aim to halve our scope 1,2 and 3 emissions by 2030 compared with 2020 and want 70 percent of our customers to have set Science Based Targets by 2027.

Knut Omholt, Climate Impact Engineer, explained how we’re working towards our goals and pointed out that halving emissions is all the more challenging when we’re already working from a very low base level. Still, he is optimistic, thanks to initiatives such as the replacement of fossil fuels in the lime kilns at our pulp mills which now use bark power and bio-oils. All Södra’s forklifts now use HVO rather than diesel and there is a string of investments in energy efficiency and electrification. The result is that our emissions today are around a tenth of what they were in the 1990s. In addition, substantial energy efficiency measures mean we now have more green electricity, tall oil and lignin for the open market.

Reducing scope 3 (indirect) emissions is more challenging as this depends on working with external partners, which we intend to do. An excellent start is the new electric truck to transport sawmill chips from our sawmills to the pulp mills.

Christina Wennberg, Marketing Manager, Södra Cell and Project Leader Conscious delivery, explained the importance of collaboration throughout the value chain for meaningful impact. Conscious delivery is one solution. The opposite to a ‘one-size-fits-all’ policy, Conscious delivery involves a detailed look at specific delivery routes and working out the best plan with each customer to lower emissions in their logistics chain.

Henrik Holmberg, Senior Specialist Forest Management, talked about the reality of climate change in the forest and the many ways in which Södra’s family foresters are adapting for the future with the goal of growing healthy forests to sustain themselves and society at large. Our members consider everything from drought resilience and creating natural firebreaks to dealing with stormwood and bark beetles in an effort to future-proof the forest.

The next seminar will focus on innovation and the sustainable use of resources.
If you missed the event but would like to learn more about how Södra is turning climate ambition into action, catch up here.

Download Södra’s Sustainability Report 2024 here

Watch the webinars from March and May