Growing forests bind carbon. Thanks to active forest management, standing timber volume increases over time, meaning that the forest’s carbon stock increases every year.
In 2023, the net uptake in SCA’s forests was 5.7 million tonnes of CO2e
Our climate benefit
SCA was first to present a yearly report of the total climate benefit in its 2018 Annual Report. Skogforsk has been responsible for the administration and development of the calculation model for climate benefit since 2023. This enables reporting to be harmonized with national reporting. The model is being improved in pace with new research and will also become an ISO standard.
Our climate impact
The model shows our total climate impact. It consists of four components:
Storage in products
Carbon from the forest is stored in products. The calculation takes into account what the products are used for and recycling rate. Long-lived products, such as solid-wood products, provide greater benefits than short-lived products.
In 2023, 0.7 million tonnes of CO2e was stored in our products
Avoidable emissions
Emissions of fossil-based greenhouse gases decrease as wood-based products and bioenergy replace less climate-friendly alternatives.
In 2023, 7.2 million tonnes of CO2e emissions were avoided
Fossil emissions in our value chain
Our own emissions of fossil carbon in forest operations, industrial processes and transportation is deducted from the climate benefits we contribute.
In 2023, emissions in SCA’s value chain amounted to 0.8 million tonnes of CO2e
SCA’s climate benefit was therefore 12.8 million tonnes of CO₂e
Table for calculating climate benefit
| MILLION TONNES OF CO2-E | 2023 |
| FOREST CARBON | |
| Net uptake in growing productive forest | 4,5 |
| Net uptake on non-productive forest land | 0,4 |
| Net increase in soil carbon | 0,8 |
| WOOD-BASED CARBON | |
| Wood products | 0,4 |
| Wood-fiber-based products (pulp and paper) | 0,3 |
| PREVENTER EMISSIONS (potential)1) | |
| Wood products | 2,8 |
| Wood-fiber-based products (pulp and paper) | 3,4 |
| Energy products included own wind power | 1,0 |
| FOSSIL EMISSIONS | |
| Fossil emissions in the value chain, Scope 1–3 | - 0,8 |
| TOTAL CLIMATE BENEFIT | 12,8 |
| 1) Prevented emissions was previously referred to as substitution effect. |
Climate benefits related documents
Related content
Fossil-free world
The forest binds large amounts of CO₂ when it grows. But it also yields substantial climate benefits when it has been harvested, as forest products replace fossil alternatives so the use of oil and coal can be phased out. The products also store carbon throughout their lifecycle. In 2023, SCA contributed a total climate benefit of 12.8 million tonnes of CO₂e. This corresponds to more than one quarter of Sweden’s fossil emissions.
Our sustainability platform
Sustainability work is integrated into our operations and our business decisions. Basically, we create as much value as possible, both in the forest and from the renewable raw materials provided by our forest.
What sustainability means to us
The world is facing a green transition – and it cannot wait. We must stop using products that are based on fossil material and fossil energy to move toward a green economy, with climate-smart products that mean fossil carbon can stay in the ground. The forest offers unique opportunities in this area.