Biodiverse forests as a platform for future value creation: Researchers outline a new direction for Finland’s forest sector

In the publication Biodiverse forests as a platform for value creation: Balancing nature, economy and fairness, researchers present seven recommendations for renewing the forest sector. The aim is to simultaneously strengthen biodiversity, climate resilience, economic renewal and social justice.

Future forest sector requires new business models

According to the publication, Finland’s forest sector will face significant structural changes in the coming years. International competition in traditional pulp and paper production is intensifying, while demand for forest-based wellbeing and nature services, as well as their climate benefits, is growing.

“The future of the forest sector should not be built on opposing views,” says Mikko Mönkkönen from the University of Jyväskylä, who leads the study. “Instead, we should begin a transition towards a more diverse and flexible forest sector and develop new business models based on the use of forests rather than harvested timber.”

The researchers suggest that the economic potential of forests should be viewed more broadly than they are at present. Alongside wood production, greater emphasis should be placed on areas such as natural products, nature tourism, health and wellbeing services, as well as carbon and biodiversity markets.

“Finland has substantial business activity and considerable untapped potential in forest-based services and high value-added business. We should take these opportunities seriously and support the development of business value chains, including those that do not require logging forests," Professor of Sustainability Management Minna Halme from Aalto University.

Creating change through collaboration

The research group emphasises that ecological sustainability is not the opposite of economic success but a prerequisite for it. Biodiverse forests are more resilient to the impacts of climate change, maintain ecosystem services and provide a basis for new business opportunities.

The publication also highlights the importance of fairness. Future generations must also be taken into account in the renewal of the forest sector. Change is only possible if forest owners, local communities, businesses and other stakeholders are able to participate in planning the transition and benefit from the opportunities it creates.

Seven recommendations for renewing the forest sector:

• Define an ecologically sustainable harvesting level and related steering measures 

• Direct financial incentives toward higher value-added products and services

• View forests as a multifaceted platform for value creation

• Strengthen the natural products sector and nature-based services

• Align owners’ perspectives with environmental responsibility

• Strengthen forestry advisory services and peer learning

• Link forest use more closely with democratic processes and long-term responsibility

The publication was prepared by researchers from the project Forests in systemic transition: Balancing efficiency with fairness and resilience (ForTran) at the University of Jyväskylä, the University of Helsinki, Aalto University and the University of Eastern Finland.

More information:

• Wisdom Letters publication and recommendations: Monimuotoinen metsä arvonluonnin alustana: Luonto, talous ja oikeudenmukaisuus tasapainoon (Biodiverse forests as a platform for value creation: Balancing nature, economy and fairness) is available at: https://doi.org/10.17011/wl/15 

• Wisdom Letters is an interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed, open-access journal focusing on sustainability transitions and planetary well-being, produced by the University of Jyväskylä School of Resource Wisdom (JYU.Wisdom). Wisdom Letters provides policy recommendations that can be used in policymaking, education and civil society.