Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
We have set clear goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase carbon dioxide uptake and help phase out fossil resources.
Our emission reduction targets have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative, which supports companies to set climate goals aligned with scientific models. Södra has set goals that meet the Paris Agreement targets to keep global warming below 1.5°C. In a first step, we aim to halve our fossil emissions by 2030 compared to the base year 2020. We’re working towards this through strategic system transitions such as large-scale electrification, resource and energy efficiency improvements, and by replacing fossil resources with renewables.
As the forest grows, the uptake of carbon dioxide increases (the forest's carbon sink). Our target is that our members’ should increase their forest growth by 20 percent by 2050 compared to the base year 2015 by developing their sustainable forest management.
Substitution
Our industrial operations process forest raw materials into building systems, sawn timber, paper pulp and textile pulp, renewable energy, and much more. These products have very low net carbon dioxide emissions and replace fossil raw materials or products, eliminating their emissions. This is called the substitution effect.
Improved efficiency
By working with more efficient processes, we can reduce our climate impact. This can involve, for example, the way we transport our products and the chemicals we use in our industrial processes.
Electrification of transport
Our own machines and vehicles at both our mills and in the forest are largely powered by HVO, a bio-based alternative to fossil diesel, and we are working to electrify our trucks more extensively.
We’ve taken major steps towards achieving our long-term goal of fossil-free transport, including investing in a woodchip truck from Scania, powered by our own fossil-free electricity. The chip truck is part of Skogforsk's TREE project and will contribute to reducing the climate impact of Södra's transport. We also have our first electric truck in a joint collaboration with DFDS, transporting pulp between our Värö mill and the ports in Gothenburg and Varberg. We should save 48 tons of carbon dioxide per year compared to a diesel-powered truck.
To facilitate commuting by electric car, we have nearly 400 charging points at our facilities and offices and we installed 90 charging points in 2024 alone. Within Södra's company car policy, employees are offered a wide selection of electric cars and plug-in hybrids, giving priority to electric cars.