Responsible forestry
As a major forest owner, we are responsible for conducting forestry that balances many different values. This means that we combine a high level of renewable raw material production with extensive consideration for biodiversity, reindeer herding, outdoor recreation, and much more. Our conservation commitments often exceeds both legal and certification requirements.
The forestry processes are long. It takes approximately one hundred years for a tree to mature and be ready for harvesting, and many other processes in nature take even longer. Therefore, when planning our forest management and nature conservation, we do so from a perspective that spans a century or more.
Longterm and short planning
Another important factor is that we plan based on both local conditions for a specific area and on a broader scale, considering the needs and circumstances from a landscape perspective – a concept known as ecological landscape planning.
In this way, we can efficiently create different values in various areas of our forests. In some forests, the focus is entirely on biodiversity, whereas growth of raw material is prioritized in other areas. However, we always consider extensive naturen consideration, even in areas where we aim for a high wood production.
Approximately 30 percent of our productive forest land consists of some form of nature conservation area. This includes voluntary set-asides, low-yield lands where we do not conduct forestry activities, and the basic retnetion we apply during all forestry measures.
Developing and preserving biodiversity in the company's forests is the most important sustainability goal in SCA’s forest management. All flora and fauna in our forest holdings must have the conditions to continue thriving there in the future. This means there must be a variety of habitats in our forests. We also take great consideration to the reindeer husbandry that is performed in almost all of SCA's forests.
High and stable growth is also an important part of our responsible forestry. We manage our forests to ensure that the standing timber volume increases over time. This allows us to create significant climate benefits and contribute to social welfare. When the forest is managed responsibly, it becomes an everlasting resource.
The goal is for our forests to be at least as rich in biodiversity, nature experiences and raw materials in the future as they are today.
SCA's Nature conservation strategy
Our Nature conservation strategy guides us in our nature conservation efforts, and our ambitions are set high. The strategy highlights the measures we take to combine productive and profitable forestry with effective conservation that preserves biodiversity.
We emphasize the importance of active nature conservation measurement to create valuable habitats and benefit the flora and fauna that live in our forests. Additionally, we place great emphasis on creating future value in selected areas that currently do not have significant natural values. We also aim to ensure high growth in our forests to generate the greatest possible climate benefits.
Responsible forestry – this is how we work
Planning our forestry
Planning is crucial to balancing the many values that must coexist in our forests. By analyzing our forest holdings from a landscape perspective and over a long period of time, we can identify which forests have the highest nature values and which can be managed with a focus on timber production. In addition, careful planning is carried out before each individual harvest.
Managed forest
SCA's forests are actively and sustainably managed to increase growth over the long term. Today, the volume of living trees on our holdings is larger than ever. This is possible thanks to our forest management practices. High growth benefits both our operations and the climate.
Nature conservation and consideration
To ensure biodiversity in the forest, a variety of habitats are needed. We use a wide range of tools to achieve this. For instance, we leave extensive consideration areas during harvesting, voluntary set-aside to develop freely, and carry out active measures to benefit different species. Follow-ups show that our efforts are yielding results.
Certified forestry
SCA's forestry operations in Sweden are certified according to FSC® (FSC® C004466) and PEFC (PEFC/05-23-131). This means that we commit to following their guidelines for responsible forestry. We are also chain-of-custody certified. Additionally, we ensure that non-certified raw materials do not originate from controversial sources
SCA and Reindeer husbandry
Forestry and reindeer husbandry are carried out on the same land, which means that good cooperation is crucial for both parties to function side by side. We place great emphasis on collaboration with Sami communities to identify constructive solutions that minimize the impact of forestry on reindeer management.
Read more about
SCA's map tool
In our map tool you can see SCA’ s land holdings in Sweden, including our voluntarily set asides and our five Conservation Parks. Here, you can find your own forest gem.
Forest & climate
Limiting global warming is one of the greatest challenges of our time. As a forest company, we are one part of the solution. First as trees in our forests grow and capture and bind CO₂. Then as our sustainable raw materials are turned into products that replace those that leave a broader carbon footprint. In this way, oil and coal can remain underground.
Dialogue and cooperation
As Sweden's largest private forest owner, it is important for us to be involved in different issues and forums. In this way, we can contribute active to the development of the forestry industry, both at local and national level. We are also engaged in local communities in which we operate.