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The boss of Sveaskog’s plans: “Norrbotten is very big”
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Sveaskog was ready to cross the Sami and cut down the natural forest.
Only after Greta Thunberg entered the debate did the state forestry giant stop its plans.
– We chose to go back to create the conditions for a dialogue, says Olof Johansson, head of forest policy at Sveaskog.
Aftonbladet recounted in a lengthy Jokkmokk report how the state-run Sveaskog in autumn was prepared to pass over the Sami and cut down centuries-old natural forests.
Only after an intense campaign on social media, supported by climate activist Greta Thunbergthe forest giant backed away.
Olof Johansson works with sustainability issues in the company and has the title forest policy manager. It states that Sveaskog’s mission is to manage the state’s forests and deliver renewable raw materials to industry, among other things to enable climate change, while at the same time protecting natural values.
– It’s a puzzle we work with all the time, he says.
What is the reason why Sveaskog wants to cut down natural forests with old trees?
– If you look at the relevant areas, these are forests that have been used before, either by logging or by systematic felling of all the thick trees. We exclude areas with many old trees and high natural values.
Photo: Mats Samuelsson AB
Olof Johansson is head of forest policy at Sveaskog.
Although we have visited forests that he planned to cut down, where there were many old trees.
– I don’t know how the logging was planned, you almost have to be there to discuss it. But larger areas without a large-scale impact on the land of Sveaskog, we have already voluntarily reserved as nature conservation forests, says Olof Johansson.
Why are you considering cutting down natural forests?
– Norrbotten is very big. I know how you think, I feel the same when I come from the south. But they are large areas that mean a lot for the region and a development of the bioeconomy. Natural forests with high natural values should be excluded and many are already excluded.
But is it appropriate to cut down natural forests in a time of accelerating biodiversity loss?
– On a smaller scale, you have to look at how each area looks and have a detailed planning of what is suitable to store and what we can use, says Olof Johansson.
Photo: PONTUS ORRE
Logging by private owners on reindeer grazing land in Älvsbyn municipality.
He planned to cut down 30 areas in the Sami village of the Luokta-Máva reindeer pasture, even though the Sami village clearly stated that the areas were critical for winter grazing. Why?
– I cannot answer in detail as the discussions were held locally. But as I understand it, you got nowhere. It had stopped. And then we decided to backtrack to create the conditions for a new dialogue.
Although it only stopped logging after an extensive campaign on social media.
– It was clear that we did not advance. Then we took a step back.
He withdrew plans after Greta Thunberg joined the campaign.
– Yes. But we probably would have gotten there anyway.
How do you see the criticism of the Sami villages that ran over them during the consultations?
– It is very sad. My image remains that most of the contacts with the Sami villages work decently.
Photo: Virginia Mayo / TT
Climate activist Greta Thunberg.
In a discussion article In Aftonbladet, 29 Sami villages accuse you of looting reindeer herding land.
– If i say. But in parallel, I get a picture of our local conversations that is different.
What is happening to these areas in the Luokta-Máva pastures where logging has now been suspended?
– We have had contact with the Sami village. And we hope to start a dialogue, where we find long-term solutions that combine reindeer husbandry with forestry and other values, says Olof Johansson.
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