New proposal on the church’s forest investigator: « No change »

The Swedish Church is Sweden’s fifth largest forest owner. As early as 2021, it was decided whether, among other things, how the church’s forest can make the best climate benefit, how the protection of biodiversity can be developed and how the church in its forestry relates to the reconciliation process with the Sami people.

In September last year the forest investigation, conducted by investigator Göran Enander, was presented on behalf of the church board.

The proposals meant, among other things, that 20 percent of the church’s forest area would be allocated for biodiversity and 33 percent be converted to a more gentle, natural forestry. The trees would also be allowed to grow longer before harvesting, so that they can store more coal and make greater climate benefit.

On Wednesday, the Church Board presented its plan to continue the investigation.

According to Archbishop Martin Modéus, The chairman of the church board also means the proposals for new conditions for the diocese to « develop sustainability in the forestry of the Swedish Church ».

– Values ​​such as biodiversity, climate benefit and cultural environment are highlighted and the indigenous law is strengthened, he says at a press conference in the church’s house in central Uppsala.

The Church Board also proposes a new « framework » for the forest administration, where the starting point should be a balance between four different sustainability dimensions: spiritual, ecological, social and economic sustainability.

– This gives the pins a clearer responsibility to prioritize other values ​​a sustainable total return. This will be a change of church forestry, to think in a new way, says Wanja Lundby Wedin at the press conference.

A new « common focus » is also proposed «  which will be enrolled in the church order where several different values ​​will be safeguarded, including climate benefit, biodiversity and welfare.

The Sami perspective is also taken into account.

« Out of respect for the indigenous law and the reconciliation process with the Sami – it is proposed, among other things, that the principle of free and informed preliminary consent should be applied to the effect on the right to reindeer husbandry, » writes the church board in its press release where it is also described as the proposals « is in line with the forest investigation ».

A few hundred meters from the church’s house, In the University House, DN Göran Enander, who, on behalf of the church board, meets the Swedish Church’s forestry.

– Before today’s decision, I talked to the press secretary and asked if I could get any material in advance or at least at the same time as the press. But then I was referred to a website where there was no information.

After taking part in the documentation DN received from the press secretary, Göran Enander comments on the proposal and begins with the part which means that the responsibility for the forest management should remain at the pin level.

– We suggested that the Church Board decide on goals and directions for the administration. They have completely removed that.

Why do you mean it would have been an important change?

– I think it is quite natural when you manage a wealth of SEK 43 billion, that you have some overall goals and orientation for it. The church has delegated to the pins to be responsible for the administration and it is very common when you delegate that you send in a few words along the way, he says.

– You have not taken a stand on the most important issues – how much forest should you protect? How to introduce natural forestry? And what should this revised calving farming look like? We have not received any answers.

Wanja Lundby-Wedin (S) is the first vice chairman of the church board. She says at the press conference that the proposal from the investigation, about setting a national goal of protecting 20 percent of the productive forest land, was up for discussion at Wednesday’s church board meeting.

– Someone said, « Shouldn’t we put this in? » But this is already reported at the pin level and last year it was one of the pins that was already up to 18 percent. So if you put in a goal of 20 percent now, it may then turn out that it was a far too low goal, she says.

– These are goals that are a basis for the pins to start from when setting their diocesan goals. So it is not that we have put them aside but we have not wanted to set national goals because it is difficult to do it at this stage.

If there is a risk that there will be too low a goal within a few years – why not set a higher goal at once?

– Because we don’t really know what will be the reasonable goal, I think, today. But there is no doubt that these goals that are set in the investigation are set as reasonable goals – but that we do not want to take them now because we do not really know where we will end up anywhere next year when we look at this.

DN has previously told That a semi -church body with great influence over forestry, the cooperation body of the property administrations, Enso, has ordered its own « shadow investigations » from the Swedish University of Agriculture, SLU, before the referral procedure, something The super environment blog previously examined.

Already in January, after the super -environment blog’s disclosure about shadow investigations, Göran Enander said to DN:

– During my 40 years in the service of the public, I have never before been involved in the fact that some who are particularly affected by the investigation, and who are part of a larger organization, order their own investigations in order to influence the referral bodies. It is unique and short -circuits the entire referral procedure, he says.

Now he fills in:

– Those who, with all available funds, have tried to discredit the investigation should now be given responsibility for implementing the intentions in it.

Will there be any change of church forestry with this proposal?

– No. At least not now. But one thing is certain: the debate will continue.

The church board’s letter is now submitted to the Church’s « Parliament », the church meeting, which on November 17 to 19 will decide on the future of the church’s forestry.

Read more:

Shadow investigation can lower the church’s new forest plan

Same debate among Sami after revelations about the church’s forest investigation

KG Hammar: The proposal would be disastrous for the church

Full restructuring of the church’s forestry is proposed: « The forest should make climate benefit »