Fossil carbon dioxide is the major problem
The most significant emissions into the atmosphere are those of carbon dioxide, especially from the burning of fossil fuels – coal, oil and natural gas. These pollutants enhance the natural greenhouse
effect and contribute strongly to the accelerating climate changes our planet is now experiencing.
The forestry industry is in a good position to help combat climate change, since our raw material – wood – is a renewable resource. We make a positive contribution to a society based on sustainable cycles of materials.
Forests bind carbon dioxide
The big advantage of forests is their unique ability to bind carbon dioxide. The more the forest grows, the more carbon dioxide it absorbs and the more it reduces atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Every year, Swedish forests bind millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide. How positive the effect is depends on how you look at ground-level emissions.
The forest plays a key role
We believe that forests, active forestry and products made of the forest’s raw materials are important keys to reducing carbon dioxide emissions. This applies both to Sweden and the rest of the world. Forest products can store carbon and largely replace products that are based on fossil fuels and have greater effects on climate across their life cycle.
Active, sustainable forestry makes use of the best seedlings with the highest growth rates, managing the forest so trees can grow and society gets the products it needs. Throughout the twentieth century, efficient forest management and increased growth have ensured that the total amount of forest in Sweden grew constantly.