Swedish Forest Industries

Following the autumn hearing process, the new EU Commission is in place. Ursula von der Leyen retains her firm grip on the presidential gavel and, at first glance, it might not seem that things are much different – but there are major changes. How does this impact the forest industry? The newly appointed Director and Head of SFIF’s Brussels office explains: "We need to invest in what Europe needs in order to manage the new challenges. We need to improve our global competitiveness, and we need to ensure that we establish our own security," explains Kaisa-Maria Soro-Pesonen. 🌲 What does this mean for the Swedish forest industry? "In this situation, the EU can no longer focus on piling up detailed new regulation on climate or environmental policy in the same way as might have been done during the previous term. The goals remain in place – we will continue working with climate goals and biodiversity – but the tools are different." 🌲 What are the challenges facing the forest industry? "Many people still don’t realise the role forests can play in climate action. They view a forest as a carbon sink, and often stress the importance of protection and conservation. I rarely hear conversations in Brussels about the importance of managing and using forests in a way that benefits both the climate and biodiversity." After more than 20 years in Brussels, and with extensive knowledge of the convoluted processes of EU institutions, Soro-Pesonen has a keen insight into the political chatter: "Sweden and Finland have become interesting, key member states in a way that we ourselves may have not yet realised," she says. "While this is mainly due to NATO membership, the UK’s exit has created a vacuum and large member states have become weaker for domestic political reasons. Up in the north, we’re used to sitting on the fringes and thinking no one is listening to us." Read the interview here: https://lnkd.in/dt5Xd_Dj #SwedishForestry #EU #EUCommission

A positive agreement on the EU Deforestation Regulation! The Swedish Forest Industries Federation (SFIF) welcomes the agreement by the European Parliament and the Council to postpone the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The delay is a necessary step and provides an opportunity to urgently clarify remaining questions, to ensure effective and clear implementation. "It is positive that the EU institutions have agreed on a postponement of the deforestation regulation. This agreement offers a much-needed pause to address remaining uncertainties, which must be resolved swiftly to ensure practical and effective application. Moving forward, it is crucial that the process is characterised by clarity and collaboration," says Viveka Beckeman, Director General of SFIF. SFIF supports the regulation's overarching aim of preventing deforestation and forest degradation. However, the industry has consistently emphasised the infeasibility of implementing the regulation by the end of the year. There has also been significant criticism from European businesses, as well as countries and trading partners around the world. SFIF emphasises that requirements imposed on companies need to be proportionate and provide predictability, to ensure that the regulation’s intentions can be fulfilled effectively. "We hope this agreement signals the beginning of enhanced dialogue with the actors concerned. Collaboration is essential to crafting legislation that effectively addresses deforestation at its source while preserving the competitiveness of sustainable forest industries”, says Viveka Beckeman. #EUDR #EU #EUDeforestationRegulation #forestry

Swedish Forest Industries (SFIF) calls on new European Commission to focus on competitiveness and a sustainable climate transition. We welcome the newly elected European Commission, which was approved earlier today by the European Parliament. We look forward to making a constructive contribution to the new EU mandate period. In the coming years, EU policies must focus on promoting competitiveness while ensuring a sustainable climate transition and acknowledging the key role of substitution effects in cutting Europe’s dependency on fossil raw materials.  "It is very positive that a new European Commission is now in place. I would like to congratulate President Ursula von der Leyen and the newly appointed Commissioners. It is crucial that the ambitions of the European Green Deal are upheld and complemented by policies that enhance competitiveness and simplify regulations. By actively promoting a sustainable bioeconomy, it is possible to accelerate the climate transition and achieve the EU's climate goals", says Viveka Beckeman, SFIF Director General. The SFIF urges the Commission to prioritise policies that create conditions for the climate transition and improve competitiveness, while strengthening the resilience of the EU for the long term. A reliable supply of sustainable forest raw materials is necessary to achieve this. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eASNhT5e #EU #EuropeanComission #sustainability #ClimateGoals

Swedish television reveals - incorrect data about Swedish forests New research by Swedish national broadcaster SVT highlights how Sweden’s forestry sector has been accused of being one of the worst in Europe in terms of deforestation. Several articles and analyses based on satellite data from Global Forest Watch have claimed that Sweden has lost 20 per cent of its forest land in the past two decades. However, SVT research shows that these figures are inaccurate. The research reveals how thinned forests in Sweden have been incorrectly recorded as being felled, and that the models used for satellite data are not applicable to the Nordic region. In the report, SVT interviews Jonas Fridman, forestry expert at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). He believes that the satellite data are incorrect and that the amount of forest land in Sweden has not decreased at all. Fridman explains that although deforestation has increased, this is due to Sweden now having more forest per hectare and consumers demanding more wood. He underlines that today Sweden has twice as much forest volume as 100 years ago. Photo: Ola Kårén Read more on our website or at SVT. #swedishforestindustries #forestland #swedishforests

SFIF supports extra phasing-in time for EUDR, calls for key clarifications The Swedish Forest Industries Federation (SFIF) welcomes the additional 12 months proposed by the Commission to ensure proper implementation of the Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). SFIF urges the Council and the European Parliament to approve the Commission’s proposal swiftly. SFIF fully supports the intention of the regulation: to stop deforestation and forest degradation associated with several specific raw materials and products, primarily agricultural crops and livestock, wood and fiber products, and solid biofuels. “SFIF and its member companies are committedly working on a swift and effective implementation and is actively proposing workable solutions to responsible government agencies and EU institutions. It is important that the announced guidance and updated FAQ will provide urgent clarifications on how the implementation practically can work in a harmonized way globally. The greatest uncertainty that must be addressed relates to traceability and how it will work through industrial facilities”, says Viveka Beckeman, Director General of the Swedish Forest Industries Federation. President Ursula von der Leyen stated in her political Guidelines for the next European Commission 2024-2029 the need to make business easier and faster – reducing administrative burdens and simplifying implementation. SFIF acknowledges today’s announcement to be a first step in that direction. Photo: Mostphotos / Björn Leijon #EUDR #deforestationregulation #EU #theswedishforestindustries

On 18 July, the European Parliament re-elected Ursula von der Leyen for a second mandate as President of the European Commission. The Swedish Forest Industries Federation appreciates the President’s emphasis on boosting the EU's competitiveness alongside a continued dedication to ambitious #environmental and #climate goals. "The Swedish Forest Industries welcomes the President’s call to have high environmental and climate targets together with an equal focus on strengthening EUs competitiveness and its industrial base. The forest industries have a decisive role to play in both areas and we aim at growing the Union’s bioeconomy to contribute considerably", says Viveka Beckeman, Director General of the Swedish Forest Industries Federation (SFIF). The European Parliament re-elected Ursula von der Leyen for a second mandate as President of the European Commission. When the European Parliament’s 720 MEPs voted in a secret ballot, von der Leyen got 401 votes, well above the absolute majority of 361 she required to be elected. Prior to the vote, von der Leyen presented her political Guidelines for the next European Commission 2024-2029. In it she emphasizes that the EU must stay the course on the goals set out in the European Green Deal. Von der Leyen also stresses the need to make business easier and faster – reducing administrative burdens and simplifying implementation.  “We support von der Leyen´s promise to keep dialogues on implementation of legislation align with realities on the ground. The Swedish Forest Industries encourage the Commission to look at the implementation of the EUDR, which requires more time and needs to be proportionate and cost-efficient", says Viveka Beckeman. Earlier this year SFIF launched it´s input to the EU's 2024 – 2029 Agenda - A greener, stronger EU - which highlights areas in which the sector can contribute. SFIF is determined that a climate neutral, resilient and competitive EU, based on a circular biobased economy sourced from sustainably managed forests, is the best route forward. The Commission President will now send official letters to the Member States governments inviting them to nominee their candidates for the Commission. Hearings of the nominees in Parliament’s competent committees are scheduled to take place during the fall. The full college of Commissioners then needs to be elected by Parliament, most likely in its 21-24 October session. The new Commission should be in place by November 1st. 

EU environment ministers, under the Belgian presidency of the Council of Ministers, have adopted the EU’s Nature Restoration Law by a narrow margin and with uncertainty surrounding Austria’s handling of the issue. “The law was adopted after a two-year legislative process characterised by sharp criticism from many sides and chaotic processes in the EU Parliament and the Council of Ministers. The basic purpose of the regulation and its measures to restore nature are good. These aims are in line with SFIF’s Sustainability Roadmap to make forests more resilient and biodiverse. However, the approach taken in the legislation contains a number of shortcomings, reflected in criticism of the legislation from many countries,” says Viveka Beckeman, director general of the Swedish Forest Industries Federation. A key SFIF criticism is that the legislation does not take sufficient account of differences between member states. Especially given that member states interpret the Habitats Directive differently and diverge in terms of historical land use and systems for preserving and promoting biodiversity. “From SFIF’s perspective, we see a risk of major socio-economic consequences due to restrictions of land use that impact forestry in particular. The EU Parliament and many member states have criticised the lack of consideration of other societal goals, such as access to renewable raw materials, which result in the proposals making it harder to achieve climate goals,” says Beckeman. Implementation in member states could turn out to be challenging. “When implementing it will be essential that member states align their assessments of status of habitat types and the restoration needs. Member states would also benefit from a common understanding of how to select effective restoration measures in comparison to other policy objectives. This would enable nature restoration and the acceleration of the climate transition, while at the same time reducing negative effects on society,” Beckeman adds. #natureresauration #EUpol #SFIF

The role of forests in the green transition topped the agenda when the EU Commission's Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra visited Sweden. Along with Climate and Environment Minister Romina Pourmokhtari (Liberal Party), Director General of the Swedish Forest Industries Federation Viveka Beckeman, and representatives from environmental and forest owner organizations, Hoekstra made a field visit to a forestry site and discussed a range of issues, including how the Swedish forest industry can contribute to the achievement of the EU's climate goals. "It is gratifying that the EU Commission is clearly showing an interest in the various climate benefits that forests and their products offer the ongoing green transition. The Swedish forest industry wants and can help create a climate-neutral Europe by delivering sustainable, renewable products and replacing fossil ones. Constructive discussions about the full climate benefits of forests are an important step forward in this regard," says Beckeman. During the visit to Holmen AB, one of Sweden’s largest forest owners, Hoekstra toured a “Knowledge Forest”. Holmen’s Knowledge Forests are specially selected locations to gather and share knowledge about forests. In addition to the Swedish Climate Minister, Ivar Vatne, CEO of Billerud, representatives from LRF Forest Owners, the Swedish Forest Industries Federation, and WWF also participated in the visit. Discussions focused on the climate benefits of sustainable forestry and the existing and future climate benefits of the forest industry's production of wood-based products and materials. #SFIF #climate

The U.S. once looked to modular construction as an efficient way to build lots of housing at scale, but Sweden picked up the idea and put it into practice.   Read full article in The New York Times 👇 #SFIF

The Swedish Forest Industries Federation has joined the IUFRO World Congress as major partner, marking a strategic collaboration to enhance forest research and foster global knowledge exchange. "We are excited to join the worlds’ largest forest event of 2024, and the largest in Sweden ever. Our mission aligns perfectly with the Congress's goals of promoting collaboration, knowledge sharing, and sustainable forestry practices," says Viveka Beckeman, director general of the Swedish Forest Industries Federation. The SFIF will host a stand at the Congress Exhibition featuring member companies Holmen AB, SCA, Stora Enso, and Södra. These industry leaders and pioneers will showcase their latest advancements in sustainable forestry and forest management and engage with attendees on key issues facing the sector. 🌲 Södra, a cooperative of forest owners, focuses on value creation and sustainable forestry practices. 🌲 Stora Enso, a global leader in renewable solutions, emphasizes innovative materials and bio-based products. 🌲 Holmen, known for its sustainable forest management and renewable energy initiatives. 🌲 SCA, Europe’s largest private forest owner, renowned for its commitment to sustainability and resource efficiency, will present their unique contributions to the industry. The partnership between IUFRO World Congress and SFIF highlights the importance of collaboration in the forest sector, particularly in promoting sustainability and innovation. The pavilion will serve as a hub for networking, discussions, and the exchange of ideas among industry professionals, researchers, and policymakers. "We believe in the power of collaboration and knowledge exchange to drive sustainable forestry forward. The Congress provides an excellent platform to showcase the innovative work of our leading forest companies and to engage with the global forestry community," says Viveka Beckeman. At the Congress, SFIF´s aims to be a meeting point for networking and dialogue, sharing of research and innovation results, and to showcase the Swedish forest and its products – all the way from growing trees to circular products. Attendees will have the chance to learn about cutting-edge research, technological advancements, and best practices in sustainable forest management. #sfif #IUFRU2024