Sustainability assessment on an exceptionally large scale
Metsähallitus has all state-owned land and water areas are under its administration. Examining their essential sustainability impacts is an extensive process.
As with many other organisations, Metsähallitus is currently updating the material sustainability impacts of its operations. A materiality analysis compliant with the EU Sustainability Directive (CSRD) requires exceptionally broad expertise and perspective.
“As the administrator of state-owned land and water areas, we face a uniquely broad spectrum of issues. Just with wind power alone, the potential impacts on land areas as well as both running waters and the open sea must be examined,” says Essi Suorsa, Specialist in Wind Energy at Metsähallitus.
Metsähallitus has a multifaceted operating environment. Generally speaking, it can be said that the focus area is all of Finland.
Metsähallitus’ strategy is to foster our future. The purpose of Metsähallitus’ work is to foster natural values and take care of our shared wealth responsibly across generations. The time perspective of a materiality analysis is therefore not short, but in principle extends from now to infinity.
Value chains encompass almost all of Finland
Metsähallitus’ extensive service offering makes conducting a materiality analysis a challenge.
“Our impacts extend widely throughout Finnish society through value chains. Forest use and Parks & Wildlife are two of the more well-known Metsähallitus operations among Finns. Our activities in wind power, soil use and other property development also make us a neighbour to many. We coordinate opinions, expectations and impacts across the country,” explains Suorsa.
In addition to residents, municipalities and authorities, a countless number of contractors and partners will also be affected.
“We must also ensure the sustainability of these through orientation, management and guidelines,” says Suorsa.
Indeed, Metsähallitus is currently drafting, among others, an environmental guide for water resources management.
What about the sea is material?
Offshore wind power projects emphasise regional economic impacts, other uses of marine areas, landscape impacts and the impacts of wind turbines on their surroundings. The impacts may be positive for some things or species and negative for others.
Sustainability considerations also range from ecological differences and variations in salinity in the Bothnian Sea and the Bay of Bothnia to the living conditions of numerous plant and animal species on land, at sea and in the air.
“The materiality of offshore wind power project impacts is examined through variations in seawater salinity and different conditions in deep water and coastal areas. For example, ways to prevent the creation of favourable conditions for invasive species must be taken into consideration with regard to risks.”
“EIA procedures examine the impact of individual projects in precisely defined locations. When examining the materiality of sustainability reporting, we must be able to examine the impacts of all projects in all locations and correlate them with the impacts of Metsähallitus’ other activities.”
Five aspects of a materiality analysis:
- Determine the material impacts of your own activities on society. Also define the impact of society’s expectations on your own activities. Both economic and other impacts.
- Note both negative and positive effects. For example, pollution is negative and employment is positive.
- Describe what you are doing to prevent negative impacts. Also examine your sphere of influence from the perspective of vulnerable parties.
- Lead, measure and develop both mandatory and material sustainability issues.
- Describe all of these and include justifications for them in the report and publish it on your website.