UPM expands its Baltic Sea collaboration to include forestry water protection

UPM is deepening its over 15 year collaboration with the Baltic Sea Action Group (BSAG) by developing forestry water protection. The new commitment focuses on research into sustainable forestry and the development of new practices in peatlands, among other areas.

‘As part of our Forest Action responsibility programme, we want to be at the forefront of promoting sustainable practices in forestry water protection. A lack of clear, research backed information in certain areas is still holding back the development of effective practices. We want to offer research plots that can be used to find concrete ways to reduce environmental impacts on water and climate emissions in forests, for example,’ said Tuomas Kara, environmental manager at UPM Forest.

‘Research supported by companies can be a significant step forward in finding and mainstreaming more sustainable practices,’ said Jussi Heinonsalo, professor of forest sciences at the University of Helsinki. The plots will be integrated into a wider network of plots coordinated by the University of Helsinki, which is open to all researchers to conduct scientific studies.

‘According to studies, the impacts of forestry on water quality and carbon balance are significant, which supports the promotion of better practices. We will have the opportunity to explore with researchers, in particular open questions related to the regulation of groundwater level and to the carbon cycle, as well as impacts on water bodies,’ said Taina Ihaksi, director of the BSAG Forest Project.

In addition to research, practical forestry measures are also being developed as part of the collaboration. New guidelines are being drawn up for water protection in forestry, both for UPM’s own forests and privately owned forests. The company is also committed to communicating the new operating models and guidelines to its forest owner customers. 

‘We aim to give greater attention to water bodies affected by forest management and to take into account their special characteristics. The impacts of forestry on water bodies are addressed through everyday decisions: Which type of regeneration or soil preparation methods are chosen? When to harvest? What kind of machines are used and where?  This is already a part of everyday activities in forestry. However, there is still plenty of room for improvement in preventing environmental harm, and for that, we need more science-based information. Small changes in forest management methods can also help restore water conditions in forests towards a more natural state. Implementing research results requires commitment and continuous training of personnel,’ said Taina.

‘The collaboration between UPM and BSAG is a great example of long term and multidimensional work that has succeeded in developing operating methods and finding new solutions. The commitments have covered topics that are central to the Baltic Sea, ranging from harmful chemicals to nutrient recycling and maritime emissions. It is only natural that the next theme was found in the forest sector,’ said Sami Lundgren, vice president, responsibility, UPM.