Finland’s forests now emit more CO2 than they absorb

Finland’s forests, once a crucial carbon sink, have become a source of emissions, raising concerns over the country’s climate policy and carbon neutrality targets. According to the latest data from the Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE), Finland’s forests emitted 1.12 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2023.

This shift began gradually around 2010 and has accelerated since 2018. By 2021, Finland’s forests had transitioned from absorbing carbon to releasing it.

The main causes are declining forest growth, increased logging, and rising emissions from forest soil.

The land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector, which includes forests, emitted a total of 11.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2023. This makes it one of Finland’s largest emission sources, surpassing emissions from sectors such as agriculture.

LUKE’s report highlights three key reasons behind the decline of Finland’s forest carbon sink. First, tree growth has slowed. While forest growth previously outpaced harvesting, this is no longer the case. The total biomass growth of trees—including trunks, branches, leaves, and roots—has decreased, affecting the overall carbon balance.

Second, logging rates have increased significantly. In the early 2010s, around 70% of forest growth was removed through harvesting and natural losses. By 2023, this figure had risen to 90%. This has left little room for forests to function as carbon absorbers.

Finally, the carbon storage capacity of Finnish mineral soils has weakened. Rising temperatures have accelerated soil decomposition, leading to greater emissions. Peatland forests, which store large amounts of carbon, have also begun releasing more greenhouse gases.

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Source & image credit: Helsinki Times