Metsä Group aims to enhance the biodiversity within its operations by 2030

 Tuesday, June 18, 2024

Metsä Group has committed to enhancing natural ecosystems across its operations by 2030. Guided by newly formulated principles of regenerative land use, initially piloted in Kemi last year, the company plans to implement biodiversity plans at all 25 mill sites. Developed in collaboration with the Wild Zone Association, these principles will underpin efforts to integrate biodiversity seamlessly into mill operations and reporting.

As a prominent regional entity, Metsä Group aims to lead by example in promoting nature-centric solutions within built environments. Collaborating extensively with partners, the company seeks to establish universally recognized design standards for enhancing natural habitats in industrial settings, transcending sector boundaries.

“Regenerative land use offers a transformative role for nature in the built environment. The human-altered environment is full of opportunities for both our national species and for people in their everyday lives. Nature solutions in industrial and urban environments support Finland’s national biodiversity targets while creating a healthier, safer and more comfortable everyday environment for residents. This is a change that benefits both nature and people,” says Timo Lehesvirta, Leading Nature Expert at Metsä Group.

In Kemi, the planning area spans over 600 hectares, divided equally between a closed mill site and company-owned land. Efforts initiated last year to establish meadows, woodlands, and sunlit areas will continue this year. Currently, 12 hectares of these diverse habitats have replaced grasslands, exclusively using locally sourced plant species. More than 100 species’ seeds were gathered from nearby populations around Kemi for cultivation.

Metsä Group collaborates closely with the Wild Zone Association, renowned for its biodiversity expertise in urban environments. The City of Kemi administers grazing activities under the Helmi programme at Kiikeli city park, featuring endangered local cattle breeds. Meanwhile, the Sea Lapland Bird Association, Xenus, conducts avian surveys and conservation initiatives. Additionally, the local hunting association, Hiilimön erästäjät, is engaged in an invasive species management project targeting wild minks, thereby supporting bird conservation efforts.

“In the Kemi region, habitats important for biodiversity include meadows, fields and sunlit areas. They are home to declining plant and insect species. Similar habitats can be created on Metsä Group’s mill sites. There is a large area of suitable land on the mill sites, which is important for the protection of biodiversity. We have used local and rare plant species to establish new habitats. In the Kemi project, food plants for endangered insects are also important,” says Jere Nieminen, chairman of the Wild Zone Association.

Metsä Group is actively advancing biodiversity through regenerative land use within urban settings as a core initiative. Concurrently, their regenerative forestry efforts are dedicated to enriching natural environments within commercial forests, integral to their wood sourcing practices. Furthermore, the company’s funding program supports diverse nature management and restoration projects beyond their operational reach, spanning crucial areas such as pollinator habitats, watercourses, and wetlands.

Principles of regenerative land use

Implement solutions that maintain and enhance the native character of the local nature
Support the presence of endangered species in the built environment
Safeguarding the local and culture-historical importance of the site
Identification and conservation of species reflecting local industrial history
Prevent invasive alien species in line with national targets
Identify and safeguard ecosystem services in the area as municipal services
Creating a sense of community and working together locally
Supporting and developing nature solutions for environmental education
Combining art and culture with science-based solutions to support the natural environment
Innovating new approaches to the development of regenerative land use

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