Nordic forests under threat
31 January 2025
Given that Finland and Sweden rank first and second among EU states in forest coverage, with 66% and 63% of their land covered in 2022, it is perhaps unsurprising that these countries are also home to much of the remaining old-growth forests and primary forests.
These forests, made up of native species and largely untouched by human activity, are crucial for maintaining environmental balance. However, a recent report by the environmental organisation WWF shows that both Finland and Sweden allow deforestation in areas that should be protected. In Sweden alone, WWF estimates that over 2.2 million hectares of old-growth forest remain unprotected.
 | Niina Leppilahti Old-growth and primary forests are vital for climate stability, biodiversity, and long-term ecological health, making them a priority under the EU’s Green Deal and Biodiversity Strategy. However, the Finnish government uses a much narrower definition of protected forests than the EU, safeguarding only forests that are both old-growth and natural, excluding those that meet just one of these criteria. In Sweden, the situation is even more alarming, as the right-wing government is openly challenging EU objectives by expanding biomass production, leading to increased deforestation. The consequences of this could be devastating for the entire continent – and the planet. For example, Białowieża Forest, often called the European jungle, stretches across the Poland-Belarus border and stands as Europe’s oldest and last primeval forest. Largely untouched for thousands of years, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the continent’s most biodiverse areas, home to ancient trees, rare species, and the iconic European bison. |
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