Sustainable tree plantations 

Although fast-growing tree plantations cover only 4% of the world’s forests, they are a significant source of industrial wood supply. Our tree plantations are located in South America and South-East Asia.

A sustainable tree plantation conserves native ecosystems, enhances local welfare and is financially profitable. Well designed tree plantations can also help save existing natural forests.

We never convert native forests into plantations
At Stora Enso we do not convert natural forests or protected areas into plantations, and we identify and protect areas that are important from a social, cultural or economic standpoint. We establish our tree plantations on lands with low biodiversity value, and we monitor the water balance at these locations carefully.

Benefiting local communities
Tree plantations can provide new opportunities for local communities and help to reverse economic decline and rural depopulation. When establishing plantations Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) are conducted to identify the potential impacts of our operations and to find ways to mitigate adverse impacts and enhance positive ones.

Respecting local livelihoods
A new tree plantation has an effect on the local landscape and can raise questions in local communities. For this reason, we engage local stakeholders in dialogue. We fully recognise the rights of indigenous people and do not establish plantations in territories belonging to them.