Decarbonising the forest sector: A call to action by Södra

 Tuesday, October 21, 2025

The global urgency to mitigate climate change has positioned the forestry industry as a critical engine for the green transition. Far from being just a supplier of raw materials, the forest sector in regions like Southern Sweden is actively demonstrating its potential to be a powerful enabler of a climate-neutral society. This pivotal role involves maximising the forest’s natural carbon sequestration, while simultaneously innovating to replace fossil-based materials and fuels with sustainable wood-based alternatives.

Pioneering climate action with science-based targets

For the transition to be credible, commitments must be grounded in science. This is the philosophy embraced by industry leaders such as Södra, Sweden’s largest forest-owner association, which is championing a proactive approach to decarbonisation. Södra’s dedication to this cause is underscored by its rigorous climate targets, which have been formally approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The SBTi is a respected global body that evaluates and verifies corporate climate goals to ensure they align with the latest climate science, specifically the Paris Agreement’s ambitious goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

Södra’s near-term targets for 2030, benchmarked against 2020 emission levels, demonstrate a commitment to deep, rapid cuts:

• A 50% reduction in direct, fossil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its industrial operations.
• A 50% reduction in indirect, fossil GHG emissions (excluding emissions from further processing and capital goods).
• A commitment that, by 2027, customers accounting for 70% of Södra’s indirect fossil GHG emissions must have established their own science-based targets.

This last point is particularly significant, as it shows an industry-wide commitment to driving change beyond its own fence line, ensuring accountability and progress throughout the value chain.

The dual role of the forest in climate adaptation and mitigation

The forest and its derived products are central to two crucial aspects of climate action: mitigation and adaptation.

Mitigation: carbon sinks and substitution

Forests naturally absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, effectively acting as powerful carbon sinks. Sustainable forest management practices, guided by local knowledge in areas like the Götaland region of Sweden, are essential to enhancing this natural function. Furthermore, the longevity and utility of wood products offer a massive climate benefit by substituting high-emission, fossil-based materials in construction and manufacturing. From pulp and paper products to cross-laminated timber (CLT) used in building, forest-based materials store carbon and avoid emissions that would have otherwise occurred.

Adaptation: resilient forestry

The changing climate—with altered precipitation patterns, increased risks of pests, and extreme weather—demands that forest owners adapt their practices. For family forest owners, a key part of the green transition involves having access to expert advice, training, and tools. This support helps them make informed choices, from selecting climate-resilient tree species to implementing management methods that not only boost timber yield but also strengthen carbon sequestration and promote biodiversity. A diverse, well-managed forest is a more resilient forest.

The indirect emissions challenge

While industrial direct emissions (Scope 1 and 2) have been the traditional focus for the forestry sector, the majority of emissions for a group like Södra are indirect (Scope 3). These stem from activities outside the company’s direct control, such as transport logistics, purchased goods, and the use of products by customers. Addressing this complex challenge requires a systemic approach built on collaboration.

As Jessica Nordin, Södra’s Head of Sustainability, notes, achieving this dual goal—reducing climate impact across the value chain while increasing the overall climate benefit of the forest and its products—requires a commitment that spans the entire organisation and involves close cooperation with members, suppliers, and customers.

To translate ambition into action, each business unit operates under a distinct, annually-updated climate action plan. These structured plans ensure that climate work is deeply integrated into daily business and tactical operations, making it a natural part of business efficiency.

Key initiatives for emission reduction

1. Electrification of transport: As one of Sweden’s major transport purchasers, the forestry sector has significant leverage to drive change in logistics. Södra is actively pioneering the use of heavy-duty electric trucks for wood chip and pulp transport in regions like Blekinge and eastern Småland. These pilot projects, often in collaboration with national research initiatives like Skogforsk’s TREE project, are vital for gathering real-world data on performance, route optimisation, and operational best practices for large-scale electrification.
2. Developing charging infrastructure: A prerequisite for electric transport is a robust charging network. The company is strategically investing in hundreds of charging points across its offices and facilities in Sweden, including major mill sites in Mörrum, Mönsterås, Orrefors, and Långasjö, to prepare for an electrified vehicle and heavy-duty fleet.
3. Industrial efficiency and renewable energy: Mill operations are continuously being made more efficient through investments in energy-saving technologies. Crucially, the sector is replacing residual fossil fuels with renewable alternatives. For instance, the use of internally produced tall oil, a valuable by-product of the pulp process, as a renewable fuel source is a significant step in reducing the fossil footprint of industrial processes.
4. Supplier and conscious delivery programs: Reducing upstream emissions involves setting clear requirements for suppliers and strategically choosing input materials with lower carbon footprints. Downstream, programs like “Conscious Delivery” aim to optimise and reduce emissions linked to transporting finished products to the customer, creating a shared environmental and business benefit across the supply chain.

By setting rigorous, science-backed targets and implementing tangible, collaborative action plans—from the forest floor in Southern Sweden to the point of final product delivery—the forestry industry is demonstrating how a traditional sector can become a modern-day leader in the transition to a sustainable, bio-based and climate-neutral economy.

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Tags: Climate-Neutral Society, Forest Bioeconomy, Forestry Green Transition, Indirect Emissions Reduction, Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), Sustainable Swedish Forestry