Friday, December 19, 2025
In order to reshape the future of the Nordic bioeconomy, Norra Skog has formally submitted its consultation response to the Swedish government regarding the landmark forest inquiry, A Robust Forest Policy for Active Forestry (SOU 2025:93). Representing over 27,000 forest owners across northern Sweden, the association has hailed the report as a “long-awaited step” toward legal certainty and structural clarity in an industry often plagued by regulatory shifting sands.
The inquiry, led by special investigator Göran Örlander, arrives at a critical juncture. As the European Union tightens its environmental directives, Sweden—the EU’s forestry powerhouse—is seeking to balance its deep-rooted timber tradition with modern demands for biodiversity, climate resilience, and national preparedness.
One of the most significant pillars of the SOU 2025:93 report is the proposed introduction of a clearer production target in Swedish forest policy. Historically, environmental targets have been rigorously tracked and quantified, while timber production goals have often remained nebulous.
Norra Skog argues that this “one-eyed” approach has led to an imbalance. According to Jonas Eriksson, Membership Manager at Norra Skog, a defined production target is not an attack on nature conservation but a prerequisite for transparency.
“A production target is not about pitting production against the environment; it’s about having a complete picture,” Eriksson stated. “If we are to make informed decisions about excluding forest areas from use, we must understand the direct consequences for raw material supply, rural jobs, and overall climate benefits.”
By elevating production to the same status as environmental metrics, the association believes forest owners will finally have the “long-term rules of the game” needed to invest in the 60-to-80-year growth cycles typical of boreal forests.
The forestry industry is currently at the center of a heated global debate: Are forests more valuable as “carbon sinks” (standing trees) or “carbon sources” (timber products)? Norra Skog’s response points to a scientific breakthrough that may provide the answer.
The report highlights the new ISO 13391 standard, which offers a holistic framework for calculating a forest’s total climate contribution. Unlike previous models that focused almost exclusively on the forest’s carbon sink, this international standard accounts for:
“This strengthens the role of forestry in the green transition,” says Eriksson. “With an internationally viable, scientific method, we can finally show that active forestry is a more potent climate tool than passive preservation.”
For many private forest owners in Jämtland and Norrbotten, unpredictable rules surrounding species protection—particularly regarding bird habitats—have created significant legal anxiety. Norra Skog has welcomed the inquiry’s proposal to harmonize Swedish rules with the EU Birds Directive more effectively.
The report suggests clearer boundaries for what constitutes an “impermissible disturbance,” moving away from vague interpretations that have previously led to costly legal battles and harvest bans. This alignment is seen as a crucial step in ensuring that Swedish forestry is not “over-regulated” compared to its European neighbours.
Northern Sweden’s boreal forests face unique challenges, from slower growth rates to the increasing threat of pests and climate volatility. Norra Skog has called for increased investment in forest management research and regeneration techniques.
Furthermore, the association is urging the Swedish government to take a more strategic, proactive stance in Brussels. The message is clear: Sweden must defend its active forestry model and ensure that EU-wide regulations take into account the specific ecological and economic realities of the North.
As the consultation period closes, Norra Skog is putting pressure on the Swedish government to turn these proposals into law without delay. The association argues that the forestry sector provides the raw materials for a fossil-free future, but that potential is only unlocked when owners feel secure in their right to use and manage their land.
“Sweden needs a forest policy that is long-term, understandable, and legally secure,” Eriksson concluded. “Now is the chance to turn words into action.”
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Tags: Active forestry Sweden, Boreal forest management, Forest carbon substitution effect, Norra Skog forest policy, Sustainable raw material supply, Swedish Forest Agency regulations, Swedish timber production targets
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