FORESTS / BIODIVERSITY

Renewable resources: planting trees & preserving biodiversity

European forests are home to thousands of species of birds, mammals, insects & plants. Climate change is threatening the forest biodiversity that is vital for our planet’s ecosystems. Sustainable forest management preserves biodiversity and safeguards the forests for future generations. Europe’s forest-based industry is committed to sustainable forest management: we plant more trees than we harvest and only use wood from controlled sources.

RESPONSIBLE INDUSTRY

Decarbonising: making climate neutrality happen

The European forest-based sector is helping to solve the global climate challenge. Our positive climate impact is equivalent to 20% of the EU’s fossil emissions each year. Net sinks in forests & forest products store 447 million tonnes of CO₂. We prevent 410 million tonnes of carbon emissions per year by substituting fossil-based materials and fossil energy. And we continue to reduce our CO₂ emissions.

CIRCULARITY

Recyclable & reusable: supporting the circular economy

We support the circular economy by using all parts of the trees in a unique ecosystem alongside the mechanical wood industry and we are an important producer of renewable electricity to the grid from our pulp mills. The European forestry sector is a recycling champion: 72% of European paper and 85% of European paper and board packaging is recycled. In total, we recycle 49 million tonnes of paper and board products each year. Recycled wood fibre can be reused 25 times or more with recycled textile fibre sometimes even stronger than the original.