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The bio-products mill of Metsä Fibre in Äänekoski, central Finland, is a good example of how the forest industry supports regional economies in Finland. Photo Metsä Group.
FINNS APPRECIATE FOREST INDUSTRY, SHARE OF ENVIRONMENTAL CRITICS ONLY 25%
The bio-products mill of Metsä Fibre in Äänekoski, central Finland, is a good example of how the forest industry supports regional economies in Finland from little towns to deep countryside, where there usually are no other employers working under the conditions set by the world market. People in Finland value forest industry because of the export and tax revenues that it brings. According to Finns, forest industry also manages its environmental responsibility better than other branches of industry.
According to an opinion poll commissioned by the Finnish Forest Industries Federation, Finns value the role of the forest industry as the backbone of Finnish economy. No less than 85% of the respondents consider it significant for the safeguarding of export and tax revenues. In addition to this, 83% thought that the statement ”generates employment and welfare in the whole of Finland” describes the forest industry very well or fairly well. Most of all, the forest industry is seen as an actor that strengthens regional economies: this was the opinion of 70% of the respondents. Finns are also confident about the forest industry’s success in the future. Of the respondents, 86% thought that the significance of the forest industry for the national economy will increase or at least remain the same during the next ten years. The branch is seen to promote national economy in a responsible way, and this was the opinion of both young and older age groups. One third of those responding estimated the forest industry’s share of Finland’s exports correctly: around 20%. Close to half thought that it is larger. Another thing inquired about was the employment effect of the forest sector as a whole, and it was estimated correctly by about one third of the respondents: 140,000 jobs, but on an average, the number of jobs was estimated to be somewhat lower. Good reputation in environmental matters and as employer The results are well in line with the Metsä ja puu (Forest and Timber) opinion poll that has been carried out by the Finnish Forest Association regularly since 1993. In this poll, the forest-related opinions of Finns are inquired about by over 30 questions covering several different angles, and the support gained by the forest sector is always on the level of 60–80%. However, there are also some unexpected contradictions among the results of the forest industry’s poll: on the one hand, the respondents did not think that the forest industry is especially innovative, yet on the other hand, over half of them considered it to be ”the flagship of Finnish research and innovation activities”. Close to half of the respondents thought that the significance of the forest industry will increase during the next ten years. The emissions from forest industry into its vicinity were considered to be small: just under one fourth of the respondents thought that the forest industry causes harmful odours or emissions into waterways. Four out of five respondents thought that the forest industry’s role in combating climate change is very significant or fairly significant. The forest industry’s reputation as employer is also high, estimated by the respondents as the best in the private sector. 62% of the respondents considered the forest industry to be a good employer. The majority also considered that the forest industry respects its employees. in terms of the future of the branch it might, however, be significant that the reputation as an employer was lower than the average among respondents below 35 years of age. For more information contact:
