The share of wood-based fuels in the pulp and paper industry's fuel consumption has been growing steadily. Wood-based energy accounted for 82% of the forest-based sector's energy production in 2012. This share was about 60% at the beginning of the 1990s. Consumption of oil and coal has reduced more than 75% as biofuel use has increased.
The forest-based sector produces two-thirds of Finland's renewable energy and is thus of decisive importance to the Finnish effort to achieve renewable energy targets.
The forest-based sector has published its emissions data for twenty years and emissions have reduced significantly over this time. For example, atmospheric sulphur emissions have reduced 95% and phosphorus emissions into water 77% relative to production volumes when compared to the beginning of the 1990s.
In 2012, the pulp and paper industry spent around Euro 134 million on environmental protection, of which environmental investments accounted for Euro 52 million and operating expenses for almost Euro 82 million. In spite of the economic situation, environmental investments more than doubled from the previous year.
The forest-based sector is committed to openness with regard to its environmental and responsibility affairs. The sector compiles annual statistics and reports on its emissions into air and water as well as on the development of waste volumes. The aim is for the forest industry to reduce its environmental impact constantly.