Holmen is growing a sustainable future. We especially focus on the three areas where we have particular opportunities to make a positive impact, not only in the future but right now: we are part of a value chain where climate benefits are created in several stages, we make the greatest benefit for the climate together with our customers, and we grow best together.
Climate benefit in Holmen’s value chain
Holmen's operations contribute to combating climate change. The amount of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere is lower thanks to the work we do. In 2022 we contributed a climate benefit totalling 7.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. This is equivalent to 15 percent of Sweden’s emissions
7,2 million tonnes of climate benefit
The forest delivers the most benefit when it is put to use. It is the heart of Holmen’s sustainable business. We are part of a value chain that creates climate benefit in several areas, amounting to almost 7 million tonnes of fossil carbon dioxide equivalents in 2022. And it is clear that our greatest climate benefit comes from forest products replacing fossil alternatives.
+1,9
CO2 uptake in the annual increase in the volume of standing timber in Holmen’s forests after harvest, plus CO2 stored in Holmen’s products.
+6
Substitution, where the renewable products and the renewable energy Holmen sells replace fossil alternatives.
-0,7
Holmen’s fossil emissions. Over 80% of these are generated from transport and procurement.
We deliver solutions to the challenges of our age
Holmen delivers solutions to some of the biggest challenges of our time – meeting the needs of a growing population while at the same time halting climate change. Our growing forests reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Our products bind carbon dioxide and replace fossil alternatives. Our production of hydro power, wind power and bioenergy play their part in the transition to a renewable European energy system.
A value chain where every link counts
At Holmen, we believe that the climate question has to be viewed holistically, across the entire system. Just like the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 17, Partnerships for the Goals, it is through partnership and collaboration with new and existing customers and suppliers that we create the greatest climate benefit.
Holmen’s long-term, sustainable forestry contributes towards several of the climate goals of the European Green Deal, including a fossil-free, circular economy and a fossil-free, affordable and secure energy supply.
Holmen also contributes renewable energy production which is controllable, thanks to our hydro power and bioenergy. These controllable renewable energy sources, which can be stored and turned off and on, are needed as an injection when non-controllable renewable sources of energy such as wind and solar power are unable to supply electricity due to a lack of wind or sun. It is these value chains that we seek to highlight in our climate benefit reporting.
Why does Holmen report climate benefit?
Reporting our climate benefit is a way to show how Holmen’s operations are playing their part in reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and how we are helping our customers to reduce the climate footprint of their business.
At Holmen, we have been calculating and reporting climate benefit in our annual accounts since 2010. Up until now, our climate reporting has covered the increased uptake of carbon dioxide by the forests, the sequestration of carbon in wood products and the substitution effect that arises when wood products replace materials with a greater climate footprint such as steel and concrete. In 2020, we took the next step in reporting on the entire chain.