(UPM, Helsinki, 30 September 2015 at 10:00 EET)
— UPM and the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) have been developing a method
for assessing ecosystem services derived alongside the production of wood-based
products. This pilot study focused on the environmental impacts resulting from
the growth of trees used for the production of one tonne of pulp. In this study,
the carbon sink effect, water protection and the sustainability of native forest
species were analysed in detail. The study confirmed that the forest area from
where pulpwood is sourced yields multiple benefits besides just wood raw
material.
The study examined the amount of wood required for the
production of one tonne of softwood pulp at UPM in Finland, as well as the time
required for the trees to grow. The trees purify over eight million litres of
water and absorb over 4,000 kg of carbon dioxide during their
lifetime.
The majority of Finland’s 20,000 forest species also inhabit
areas used for wood production. Hundreds of species, such as moss, lichen and
insects, depend on trees used in pulp production. Forest renewal secures the
long-term survival of these species.
UPM’s operations are based on using wood
in multiple efficient ways to produce not only pulp, but also sawn timber,
plywood, composites, papers and label materials. The company also uses
industrial by-products and residues to produce energy, biochemicals and
renewable diesel.
Pioneering perspectives on
sustainability
“With the help of ecosystem services, the
environmental impacts of land management and raw material production can be
described in a more diverse manner. For our study, we selected indicators that
relate to the most important global environmental issues, such as renewable
natural resources, climate change, clean water and biodiversity. All in all, the
benefits derived from forests are highly diverse, extending from products we can
collect to recreational enjoyment,” says Timo Lehesvirta,
Director, Forest Global, UPM.
“Projects like this are essential for the
evolving bioeconomy in Finland. Companies should include the evaluation of
natural ecosystem services in their management systems, and develop this into a
responsible and productive business. The indicators or methods for measuring
ecosystem services are not yet agreed upon anywhere in a commensurable fashion.
Our research marks one step forward,” says Petteri Vihervaara,
Senior Research Scientist specializing in ecosystem services,
SYKE.
For further information, please contact:
Timo
Lehesvirta, Director, Forest Global, UPM, tel. +358
(0)400 752 212
Petteri Vihervaara, Senior Research Scientist, Finnish
Environment Institute, tel. +358
(0)295 251740
UPM,
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UPM
UPM leads the reformation of bio and forest industries.
We are building a sustainable future in six business areas: UPM Biorefining, UPM
Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Paper Asia, UPM Paper Europe and North America and UPM
Plywood. Our products are made of renewable raw materials and are recyclable. We
serve a global base of customers. We employ approximately 20,000 people, and our
annual sales are approximately EUR 10 billion. UPM's shares are listed on NASDAQ
OMX Helsinki. UPM — The Biofore Company — www.upm.fi
Finnish Environment Institute
The Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) is a governmental research
institute and a centre for expertise that provides information, knowledge and
services essential for social sustainability. SYKE forms a part of Finland's
national environmental administration, and mainly operates under the auspices of
the Ministry of the Environment; however, the Institute's work on water
resources is supervised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. We have the
skills, ambition and courage to open new avenues for improving the environment.
www.syke.fi
UPM and SYKE have a long history of
co-operation with each other and other operators within the environmental and
forestry segments on projects relating to topics such as responsible forestry,
environmental management and preserving biodiversity.
For more
information on joint projects:
Endangered white-backed woodpecker can
thrive in commercial forests http://www.upm.com/About-us/Newsroom/Releases/Pages/Endangered-white-backed-woodpecker-can-thrive-in-commercial-forests.aspx
UPM
taking frontrunner steps with global EMAS registration
http://www.upm.com/About-us/Newsroom/Releases/Pages/UPM-taking-frontrunner-steps-with-global-EMAS-registration-001-Wed-12-Sep-2012-11-00.aspx
