Strategic sustainability 2030 objectives guide our way

With the strong commitment to our strategic sustainability 2030 objectives we are building a path to a climate neutral society and a more sustainable future. Our progress is monitored closely and reported in Metsä Group's Sustainability Report.

We bring the forest to you

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    Objective: Increasing the amount of carbon stored in forests and products

    In 2021, the management of young stands increased 13% compared to the year 2018 as a result of dedicated efforts. The land mass of forest regeneration declined by 3% due to smaller volumes of felling. In 2021 our products stored slightly more carbon compared to previous year.

    Our objective is to increase the amount of carbon stored in forests by 30% (in hectares) from the 2018 level. We promote sustainable forest management, which is key to increasing the carbon storage of forests. Forests store carbon while growing. With the sustainable forest management and e.g. thinnings the trees get more light and space that supports the strong growth and accelerates carbon storing. Fertilising the forests can also be used to support the growth.

    Our objective is to increase the amount of carbon stored in products by 30% (in tonnes) from the 2018 level. Products with a long life span have a clear role in mitigating the climate change. As an example, in buildings wood products store carbon for a long time. In the future, the portfolio may include for example textile fibres.

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    Objective: Safeguarding biodiversity

    In 2021, high biodiversity stumps were left in over 88% of thinnings and regeneration logging sites. This supports the biodiversity of forests through leaving vital habitats for hole nesters and species dependent on decaying wood. Retention trees were left at 94% of all regeneration logging sites.

    Our objective is to leave high biodiversity stumps in 90% of thinnings and leave retention trees in all regeneration fellings. Safeguarding biodiversity is part of our daily actions. For different species, standing and fallen decayed wood is a key habitat. They have two principal purposes: providing a forest with trees of various ages, and with decaying wood. For that, we aim to leave high biodiversity stumps and retentions trees in harvesting. 

We bring the forest to you

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We work for a better climate and environment

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    Objective: Fossil free mills

    In 2021, our fossil-based carbon dioxide emissions were 652,000 tonnes which is 3.5% less than in 2020.

    Our objective is to produce zero fossil CO2 emissions. Currently 90% of the fuels used in production are bio-based, and mostly of production side streams. Roundwood is not directed to energy production. We produce over 15% of the renewable energy in Finland. In 2021 we produced renewable, side streams based fuels equivalent to 26 TWh.

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    Objective: Resource-efficient production

    In 2021, the use of process water declined by 5.9% compared year 2020. We utilised 93% of production side streams.

    Our objective is to decrease the use of process water by 25% from the
    2018 level. In areas where we operate, water is mostly an abundant resource. Still, we put effort to continuously decrease the use of process water. Since 2010, the Group’s use of process water has decreased by 19% per product tonne.

    Our objective is to fully utilise production side streams. We are constantly looking for ways to utilise our production side streams even more efficiently. Resource efficiency is key in our operations. Renewable wood is our main raw material. Each part of that is utilised to the highest added-value products. We use raw material, water and energy efficiently and always aim to continuous development and improvement.

We work for a better climate and environment

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We offer sustainable choices

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    Objective: Fossil free products

    In 2021, we used 99.6% of raw materials and packaging materials that do not contain fossil oil.

    Our objective is that by 2030, we will not use fossil oil-based raw materials or packaging materials in our products. Our main raw material is wood, which is a renewable raw material originating from sustainably managed forests. Fossil oil-based raw materials and packaging materials have been identified and roadmaps to find alternative raw materials have been created by research and development teams. Sourcing teams work in co-operation with business areas to find bio-based alternatives for fossil oil-based raw materials.

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    Objective: Sustainable supply chain

    In 2021, the share of suppliers covered by Metsä Group Supplier Code of Conduct was 96%. Purchases from suppliers whose backgrounds were evaluated to meet our requirements increased to 88%. Suppliers whose sustainability assessment was passed represented 45% of our spend. The share of traceable raw materials is currently 92%.

    We are committed to acting responsibly and expect the same from our partners operating within our supply chain. We expect all of our suppliers to commit to the Metsä Group Code of Conduct for Suppliers. We will develop our supplier sustainability practices further to be able to verify that all our suppliers act according to our environmental, social and economical responsibility requirements.

    Our main raw material, wood has full traceability. We work towards ensuring that we know the origin of all our raw materials. In 2021 we improved the traceability of chemicals and packaging materials by extending the use of product safety questionnaires. Currently, our focus currently is to trace the origin of manufacture of the raw materials we purchase.

We offer sustainable choices

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We create well-being

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    Objective: Responsible corporate culture

    In 2021, we executed 98% of the actions decided based on the ethics barometer 2020 results.

    Metsä Group renewed its Code of Conduct (ethical guidance to the personnel) in spring 2019. Our aim is that all our personnel will act according to Metsä Group’s ethical principles.

    We conducted our first ethics barometer in 2020. The ethics index,
    measuring the result of the barometer, was at a good level of 84.4%
    (the target is 100). Ethics are important to our personnel, and
    Metsä Group was seen to operate ethically. We initiated several
    development actions in 2021 aiming to correct the shortcomings
    which emerged in the results of the barometer.

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    Objective: Accident-free work environment

    In 2021 our safety developed in the right direction. The frequency of recordable injuries at work TRIF was 8.1.

    Our objective is to have zero workplace accidents. Systematic efforts in safety at work support the continuous development of operations and the achievement of the Group’s objectives. High-quality proactive safety work, risk identification, intervention in unsafe working and the importance of personal risk assessments play a key role.

We create well-being

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