Sustainability targets and progress

How we support the goal:

• We improve the efficiency of process water use and reduce emissions to water. Our goal is to increase the efficiency of process water use by 25 percent per product tonne (m³ / t) in 2018–2030.
• We use surface water and recycle it as efficiently as possible. For example, we recycle cooling water efficiently in closed process cycles. In waste water treatment we utilize the best available technologies.
• The pulp we produce is utilized in Finland and around the world, for example, in the manufacture of tissue papers and hygiene products. These products improve hygiene and can prevent the spread of various infections.

How we support the goal:

• We are constantly improving the energy efficiency of our production facilities and processes, and our goal is to further increase the share of bioenergy in our own energy use.
• Our goal is that by 2030, we will not use fossil fuels in our production at all.
• Our pulp mills are important producers of renewable energy in Finland. Our pulp mills produce bioenergy from production side streams in excess of their own needs. In addition to its own production, renewable energy is also sufficient as electricity for the grid and as district heat for local communities.

How we support the goal:

• Our operations are guided by Metsä Group's common values: reliability, cooperation, renewal and responsible profitability. In our operations, we always comply with legislation, Metsä Group's Code of Conduct and Metsä Group's policies. We are also committed to respecting internationally recognized human rights.
• Occupational safety is our number one priority, and our goal is zero accidents. We emphasize occupational safety in our own operations and in the operations of our suppliers and partners.
• We are a major manufacturer of export products, a taxpayer and an employer directly and indirectly. According to the Finnish Forest Industry Association, each job in the Finnish forest industry indirectly creates three others.
• By investing in Finland, we will create well-being in the society also in the future. Our investments will also secure jobs well into the future.
• Most of the wood we use comes from privately owned forests. This generates income for both forest owners and entrepreneurs in the forestry, logging and transport sectors.

How we support the goal:

• We make efficient use of wood raw material and production side streams. Our goal is to utilize the solid side streams of production 100% by 2030.
• We are constantly improving the resource, environmental and energy efficiency of our mills, utilizing the best available technology and investing in new technologies.
• Our bioproduct mill concept takes resource efficiency to a whole new level. We build partnerships in industrial ecosystems and develop new bioproducts in collaboration with partner companies.
• We are active in various research, development and innovation networks and explore new bioproduct paths.

How we support the goal:

• The wood we use is traceable. Not even a stick is wasted on wood raw material. We utilize also our production side streams as different bioproducts or bioenergy.
• We produce pulp, sawn timber and other bioproducts responsibly.
• The products we produce can replace fossil materials. Pulp is a versatile, recyclable and fossil-free raw material for many different products. Sawn timber binds carbon throughout its life cycle and can be used to make long-lasting wood products.

How we support the goal:

• Our goal is fossil-free mills by 2030.
• Our objective is that all the raw materials and packages we use in our products will be fossil-free by 2030.
• We support a low-carbon society by producing products that can replace fossil materials.

How we support the goal:

• Metsä Group's goal is to actively promote sustainable forest management and biodiversity.
• The wood we use is traceable and comes from sustainably managed, certified or controlled forests. 90 percent of the wood we use is certified.

How we support the goal:

• We collaborate with research institutes, universities and partner companies. In cooperation with our partner companies, we manufacture products that can replace fossil raw materials.
• We work with our customers transparently so that we can promote responsible sourcing.
• Our supply chain is traceable and transparent. The responsibility of suppliers is ensured by committing them to the Supplier Code of Conduct and by evaluating and auditing suppliers.
• We want to be a good neighbour, and we work actively with stakeholders in our production unit locations.

Our activities towards 2030

• We diversify the tree species in the forest. Diverse forests are resilient to the various risks posed by a warming climate, such as extreme weather conditions or insect pests​.
• We recommend planting mixed forests. We leave a variety of tree species in the forest, both in tending and in thinning.​
• We increase the amount of decaying wood for the species that need it​.
• We ensure that herb-rich forests and ridges provide habitat for endangered species. Burned and charred wood is also needed for specialised species.

Indicators by 2030

100% of regeneration sites have retention trees
100% of harvesting sites have high biodiversity stumps
0% spruce as the only tree species groving after young forest tending
10,000 actions to increase biodiversity, such as
- Burned retention tree groups
- Nature management for herb-rich forests and ​ridges
- Water protection
- New Metso protection areas for our owner members
- FSC®(FSC-C111942) nature site service contracts

Supporting UN sustainable development goals

Our activities towards 2030

• Change to renewable fuels in our mills, so we will not emit fossil carbon dioxide into the atmosphere (Scope 1 emissions)
• Purchase fossil-free electricity and heat (Scope 2 emissions, market-based)
• Change to raw materials and packaging materials which are free of fossil carbon by finding solutions together in our value chain
• Keep forests vibrant, thriving and healthy by increasing their management and use in line with research-based recommendations
• Recommend that peatland forests be grown continuously to minimise the impact of forestry on water and to prevent unnecessary release of carbon sequestered in peat into the atmosphere
• Increase of wood-based products with long carbon sequestration time

Indicators by 2030 

0 t  of fossil CO₂ emissions (scope 1 & 2)
100% of fossil-free raw materials and packaging materials
+30% regeneration and tending area in forest*
+50% forest fertilization area*
+30% continuous covered forestry in peatland forests 
+30% carbon sequestered in products **

* hectares, compared to 2018
** CO2-ekvivalent, compared to 2018

Supporting UN sustainable development goals

Our activities towards 2030

• We reduce our water use by developing and renewing production processes and introducing new technologies
• Improving the use of electricity, heat and fuels to increase energy efficiency
• Finding new uses for the waste generated in our production, together with our partners

Indicators by 2030 

-35 % process water use per tonne*
-10 energy efficiency improvement**
0 t process waste to landfill

* m³/t, compared to 2018
** energy efficiency index, compared to 2018

Supporting UN sustainable development goals

Our activities towards 2030

• We promote a culture of doing the right thing  by implementing improvements raised by personnel and measuring their experience through ethics barometer
  
  
• We address grievances throughout the value chain

• We promote organisational diversity and gender equality, for example by anonymous recruitment and supporting career opportunities for women as leaders

Indicators by 2030

100% implementation of measures decided on the basis of the ethics barometer ​
100%​ anonymous recruitment in job vacancies
>30​% of women in management

Supporting UN sustainable development goals

Our activities towards 2030

• We promote safety at work by investigating all incidents and learning to act preventively
• We boost job satisfaction and measuring personnels' experience through personnel survey

Indicators by 2030

accident frequency rate (TRIF) 0 
personnel job satisfaction index on very good level AAA 

Supporting UN sustainable development goals

Our activities towards 2030

• We agree common sustainability targets with our key suppliers
• Developing new wood-based products with partners
  • Read also: Metsä Group’s innovation company Metsä Spring

Indicators by 2030 

Key suppliers: common sustainability target with Metsä Group 100 % 

Supporting UN sustainable development goals

Our activities towards 2030

• We use all the wood for the best suitable application and process wood raw material efficiently
• We source raw materials from sustainable sources and verify the origin, for example through supplier assessments
• By increasing the share of certified wood in our timber supply, we support, among other things, the working conditions of forest workers and ensure that the rights of indigenous peoples are not violated in our forest areas
• We will direct our purchases to suppliers whose responsibility has been verified and thus support overall social change towards more sustainable practices in the supply chain

Indicators by 2030

100% traceability of raw materials 
>90% share of certified wood 
All suppliers 100% commitment to Supplier Code of Conduct
Core suppliers: 100%​ supplier assessments and audits done 

Supporting UN Sustainable Development Goals