"Forest protection and strengthening the state of nature in commercial forests support each other. It is important that the boundaries of protected areas and commercial forests become clearer than at the moment, as it also stabilizes the operating environment for wood procurement and forest ownership," says Ilkka Hämälä, President and CEO of Metsä Group.
According to the biodiversity strategy published by the European Union in 2020, the remaining primary and old-growth forests must be protected by 2030. The member states, including Finland, are committed to this objective as part of a broader goal to stop the biodiversity loss. The national criteria set for the protection of primary and old-growth forests is being prepared under the guidance of the authorities, and it is important to set the criteria quickly. The completed set of criteria is the starting point for the forest mapping work, which can be used to expand the network of protected areas on scientific grounds. It is also particularly important that the criteria cover all groups of forest owners, such as private forest owners. At the same time, property protection and adequate and fair protection funding must be ensured.
Safeguarding biodiversity and forest protection initiatives are important for Finland and Finns in many ways. Stopping the biodiversity loss and strengthening the state of nature is also important for economic life, regardless of industry. Vibrant forest nature creates a strong foundation for a developing forest-based bioeconomy.
"We are ready for a fair sustainability transition and strengthening the state of forest nature in our own operations. In terms of forest protection, this means a clear set of national criteria, mapping of sites to be protected and financial compensation for forest owners," states Hämälä.
