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.
By using carbon dioxide, sunlight and water, trees create a sustainable raw material. They provide us with everything from timber to build houses to energy to heat our homes.
SCA takes care of our forests so they grow vigorously. This means they are constantly binding more carbon dioxide, while we have access to more climate-smart material.
And when we harvest a tree, we ensure that we use every part of the entire tree in the best possible way, from the most valuable sawlogs to bark and sawdust. It means we can maximize the benefits – and minimize wastage. We also do as much good as possible for the climate.
The forest provides not only valuable raw materials, but many more values than this. It provides a haven for many flora and fauna, creates jobs, offers fantastic nature experiences and increases our sense of well-being. We ensure that the species that inhabit our forests can continue to do so while also protecting and developing the forest’s other values.
We create as much value as possible – both in the forest and from the renewable raw materials from the forest. With the force of the forest, we contribute to a sustainable society.
Sustainability strategy and targets
Given that we have the forest as a base, sustainability is at the very core of our company. Our entire business contributes to sustainable development. We contribute climate benefit, create thousands of jobs, preserve biodiversity and protect all of the forest’s other values. All of this is described in our sustainability strategy and in our sustainability targets.
Swedish forest industries’ road to the future
SCA is one of 220 member companies that through the Swedish Forest Industries has presented three pledges for 2040: climate benefit, circular society and biodiversity. Together, we are shaping the future. Read more at the Swedish Forest Industries website.
Climate benefit
By 2040, the forest industry's climate benefit shall increase 30 per cent.
Circular society
By 2040, all wood-based products from our industries shall be fossil-free and recycable.
Biodiversity
By 2040, Sweden shall have flourishing forests rich in biodiversity.
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.
Valuable forests
The forest forms the foundation of SCA’s operations and correctly managed it is a perpetual resource. Our goal is to responsibly manage our forests so they are at least as rich in biodiversity, nature experiences and raw material in the future as they are today.
Efficient use of resources
Nothing should go to waste in our operations. We ensure that the entire tree is used in the best possible way and processed into sustainable products or utilized for energy production. Recycling, reduced emissions and increased energy efficiency are, of course, also important matters.