Sustainable forestry

The foundation of our nature conservation efforts includes voluntary set-asides, nurturing care, and good overall environmental consideration. In addition, we collaborate with researchers, authorities, and other forest stakeholders to develop knowledge and experience regarding sustainable forest management. 

With Södra consisting of many smaller forest owners with different ideas and goals, it naturally leads to greater diversity in the forest. An important tool for sustainable forestry is certifications. Approximately 70 percent of Södras members are certified according to PEFC and/or FSC®. 

We want to lead the way for richer biodiversity 

We are committed to preserving and promoting biodiversity – a task in constant development. In 2022, Södra set an ambition to lead the way for richer biodiversity for future generations. In southern Sweden, nurturing care is vital for preserving and promoting biodiversity. 

The forest is a resource to be used but not overexploited. Therefore, it's crucial to manage and harvest the forest sustainably. We regulate our harvesting levels based on the Swedish Forest Agency's and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences' recommendations and always replant more trees than we harvest. We continually develop our environmental practices and identify strengths and weaknesses by annually reviewing our forestry measures in a Green Balance Sheet. 

Through advisory and service offerings, we help members find a balance in production, environment, and social values. This includes members making voluntary nature conservation set-asides. To preserve or develop forest environments with high natural value, additional efforts are needed with special management. Therefore, the area for nature conservation management is to be increased, and Södra aims to perform 3,000 hectares of nature conservation management annually. More key metrics to measure the effectiveness of actions to preserve and promote biodiversity are under development. 

The forest and the climate 

The forest is affected by a changing climate. Higher temperatures and extended periods of drought risk leading to forest damage, which negatively impacts the forest. Climate adaptation of forestry will be the most crucial overarching issue for the forest's development long-term. In collaboration with researchers and experts, we've devised guidelines for climate adaptation in forestry, which includes assessing risks in all forest operations, selecting the right tree species, and working with active management in various ways. 

Certification 

Södra offers products made from certified forest raw material. The products are delivered with chain-of-custody certification from PEFC and/or FSC®. This includes delivering certified pulp, sawn timber, and biofuel. Chain-of-custody certification according to PEFC and/or FSC® means that the timber originates from responsible forestry with controlled provenance. 

Nurturing care 

Nature conservation is relevant in forest areas where the goal is nature conservation and where natural values require management. If you have a green forestry plan, these stands are called NS –  nature conservation, requiring management. Nature conservation measures can also be carried out in other parts of your forest, for example around single value trees or in areas left for nature conservation within production stands. 

Voluntary set-asides 

To preserve or develop natural values and biodiversity, some forests are left untouched, while others are managed with active care for natural values. Here, only actions that benefit biodiversity are taken. 

Certified members of Södra set aside an average of eight percent of their forest estate for conservation. This exceeds the requirements of certifications. For Södra, it is crucial to preserve forests with high natural values. Therefore, we have introduced a special nature conservation premium for members who have a high proportion of voluntary set-asides.