According to the Natural Resources Institute Finland, Finland’s forests released 1.12 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2023, turning from carbon sinks to carbon sources. This change, which began in 2021, has sparked debate in Finland, challenging the country’s long-held assumption that its forests reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation recommends reducing forest harvests by 10-15% to reach 55-60 million cubic meters per year. The Environmental Manager of the association, Antti Heikkinen, emphasizes that drastic measures are needed to achieve climate goals. The Environmental Minister, Kai Mykkänen, agrees, stating that reducing logging is the only way to increase carbon sinks. The decline in forest growth and increased logging by the forest industry, as well as the cessation of Russian wood imports after the invasion of Ukraine, contributed to the shift. This development threatens Finland’s 2035 climate target, which relies on equal emissions and carbon sink levels. Environmentalists, including Maria Ohisalo, Member of the European Parliament, urge immediate action, warning that excessive logging could lead to costly sanctions for Finland.
For the first time, Finland’s forests are switching from carbon sinks to net greenhouse gas emitters.
