Active forest management strengthens biodiversity as revealed at our latest sustainability seminar
Last month we held our second online Sustainability Seminar hosted by Jessica Nordin, Södra’s Head of Sustainability. She was joined by Tomas Rahm, Forest Specialist Certification/Sustainability, and Klara Joelsson, Ecology and Nature Conservation specialist.
Discussion centred around the importance of responsible forest management for strengthening biodiversity within the family forestry model. Certification systems are a powerful tool for consumers to make informed choices. They’re part of Södra’s roadmap to strengthen biodiversity which is centred around active biodiversity management, measurement tools, new business models and cooperation.
Biodiversity is about variation. Nature is not always best left undisturbed; it needs active forest management underpinned by expertise and an understanding of biodiversity at a local level. Biodiversity is dependent on the structures created by human interaction with the land over centuries. The informed decisions we take today shape the forests of the future and those decisions are fundamental for sustainability. Maintaining biodiversity is a crucial part of maintaining sustainability.
No two Södra family forest estates are the same, but they all work in a structured manner within the framework of our certification systems. Tomas described these systems as a manual for sustainable forestry - tools to ensure we strike the balance between production and environmental issues. Certification is also important from a market perspective since many customers demand certified material or products.
Did you know?
- We have had a forest management standard since 1998.
- We started PEFC group certification in 2000 integrated with our own standard.
- We established group certification for FSC in 2009, driven by customer demand.
- Södra has 21,600 forest managed units within its certification systems, involving almost 35,000 individuals and 1.8 million hectares of forest.
- Every Södra member has their own forest management plan.
- We use certified forest contractors to ensure our members comply with the rules and regulations.
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