Proposed changes to Church of Sweden forestry

The special inquiry chair, Göran Enander, former governor of Uppsala County, today presented the report The Church and the Forest – Responsibility, Action and Hope. The report proposes a change to closer-to-nature forestry that takes greater account of the spiritual, ecological and social values of forests. The main focus of the Church’s approach to forestry today is on generating financial returns, which has led to criticism within the Church and from civil society.

The report proposes that 20% of the forest area be protected for biodiversity and carbon sequestration and that one third of the area be converted to close-to-nature forestry. In the remaining area, forestry should be adapted to take biodiversity into account to a greater extent, reduce the volume of felling and fell older trees. The Church of Sweden’s approach to forestry also needs to observe the principles of indigenous rights and protect reindeer husbandry as part of the Church’s official apology to the Sami people, according to the report.

It proposes a more cautious approach to forestry and clearer sustainability work to promote local dialogue, reduce conflict and allay people’s concerns. This is in line with the positions already taken by the Church of Sweden on the climate transition and reconciliation in relation to the Sami. The ecological, social, spiritual and existential values of forests now need to be emphasised. The basis for interpreting spiritual sustainability and the Church’s stewardship role was provided to the inquiry by two former archbishops.

“The Church of Sweden’s message about responsibility for the climate needs to be translated more clearly into concrete action in the management of forests and land. The proposals outline a long-term sustainable way forward, defining a different balance and a new equilibrium point for the four dimensions of sustainability,” says Göran Enander, the inquiry chair.

The proposal integrates spiritual and existential sustainability more clearly in forest management and gives a more prominent role to parishes.

“I hope that the new objectives will help reduce the level of conflict and that, within a few years, the Church of Sweden will be seen as a role model when it comes to sustainable forest management,” says Göran Enander.

The report’s proposals, which are based on a broad dialogue with representatives of the Church of Sweden at various levels, researchers, public authority representatives, civil society, children and young people, entail clearer objectives for an approach to forestry that systematically promotes climate benefits, resilience and diversity in the forest.

Changes are proposed to the Church’s regulations, the Church Ordinance, from 1 January 2026 to include stronger protection for biodiversity and the cultural values of the forest, improved monitoring and supervision, greater local participation and real Sami influence. Common national objectives will guide the future direction of forestry. Each diocese will contribute to the common objective based on the natural and geographical conditions of their particular forest holdings, and the dioceses will work together to achieve the national objective. The forestry of the northern dioceses will be adapted to the needs of reindeer husbandry as part of the Church’s reconciliation work. Special transition funds and training programmes will facilitate the changes. There also needs to be greater transparency in the Church’s approach to forestry.

The proposed changes are estimated to result in a reduction in net revenue over a transitional period by a quarter of current forest management revenue (just over SEK 100 million per annum), which corresponds to around 0.7% of the 2023 Church membership fee or 0.4% of total Church revenue. The costs of the changes will be borne jointly and severally within the Church of Sweden and the financial conditions of parishes and associations of parishes that receive direct dividends from the assets will be protected.

Link to the report The Church and the Forest – Responsibility, Action and Hope(Swedish)

Link to the summary (English, pdf)

Facts:

The inquiry on the sustainability of the Church of Sweden’s forestry has been working since April 2023 on a review of how the management of the revenue on donations made to the Church and from glebe should be best managed to ensure ecological, economic, social, spiritual and existential sustainability. According to the terms of reference, the aim of the inquiry was to lead to a change in the position or actions of the Church of Sweden to help achieve the transition that is now required by the whole of society, and a new equilibrium point is needed at which climate and biodiversity and the relationship with the Sami and reindeer husbandry carry greater weight in a holistic perspective.

Revenue on donations made to the Church and from glebe is valued at almost SEK 43 billion and consists of 460,000 hectares of forest, 46,000 hectares of agricultural land and funds worth SEK 4.5 billion. The Church of Sweden’s forest holdings are the fifth largest in the country and are managed by the 13 dioceses. The Church of Sweden’s total revenue on donations made to the Church and from glebe corresponds to around 2% of the Church’s annual revenue.