Logging activities under scrutiny in Rovaniemi as City Council prepares to address wood procurement guidelines
Logging activities are once again under scrutiny in Rovaniemi. The City Council will address the issue of wood procurement in its upcoming meeting on Monday, particularly focusing on providing guidance to Neve Oy, the city-owned energy company. Mayor Ulla-Kirsikka Vainio will propose that the city requires Neve to clarify the criteria for wood procurement.
Neve would be asked to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the terms of wood procurement agreements and any potential changes. This evaluation should consider the impacts on the supply chain and the economy, as well as how alterations would affect housing costs for customers. Possible changes to legislation should also be taken into account.
“This matter has received considerable attention, necessitating it being discussed by the City Council. The extraordinary council meeting felt like an appropriate time to address this topic,” remarked Janne Sandgren, the Head of Corporate Finance.
Reports that surfaced in September indicated that Neve has been sourcing wood from the old natural forests in Värriö, located in Salla, for district heating production, although logging is currently not taking place in the area. An external entity is investigating whether Neve has adhered to certification regulations regarding forest logging, as the clear-cutting of ancient forests has sparked significant debate.
Additionally, a demonstration advocating for forest preservation was held in Rovaniemi on Monday. Neve sources wood for its district heating from 40 different suppliers, with procurement processes requiring compliance with PEFC certification standards. Beyond the PEFC certificate, other tracking methods for wood origin, such as the stricter FSC certification, are also in use, with a proposal for transitioning to that certification brought to the council in September. According to the City Council’s proposal, Neve must provide a report on this matter by the end of February 2025.