Bruks Siwertell’s FTG Baltic team plants a forest in Lithuania

• Sustainability initiative
• 

Sustainability goal: environmental 

Two of Bruks Siwertell Group’s environmental sustainability targets are to reduce its carbon emissions by 50 percent by 2030, in comparison to levels recorded in 2019, and switch to 100 percent renewable electricity in the same six-year timeframe. It is also looking to engage with socially responsible activities for mitigating climate change.
 
The Group consists of a collection of strong, market-leading product brands within the bulk handling, wood processing and forestry technology industries. Forestry Technology Group (FTG) Baltic, based in Vilnius, Lithuania, is one of them. 

FTG Baltic supports the forestry industry with high quality equipment for effectively managing  forests. A key focus area for the business unit is its ‘climate action’ strategy, and a significant part of this is tree planting. 

“As trees grow, they help stop climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the air, storing carbon in the trees and soil, and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere,” notes Mindaugas Gerulskis, Purchase Representative, FTG Baltic. 

Solution and results

As part of its climate action strategy, FTG Baltic has completed a tree planting project in Pakeriai, a village in the Lithuanian district of Zarasai. The land, owned by FTG Baltic engineer, Tomas Snukiškis, was previously used for agricultural purposes, and needed to be prepared for the saplings. This involved the dedication of the entire FTG Baltic team.

Following land preparation, 5,500 trees, comprising 3,000 pine, 1,000 spruce and 1,500 birch saplings, were planted by FTG Baltic. It is estimated that they will absorb approximately 137.5 metric tons of CO2 annually. Once the forest has matured, in around fifty years, it is anticipated that it will offset a portion of the CO2 emissions generated by the manufacture and sale of FTG Baltic products, such as forest trailers and cranes.

“While it is commonly stated that one tree absorbs around 25kg of CO2 annually, the actual amount can vary significantly, typically ranging between 10 and 40kg per year due to various factors,” continues Gerulskis.

“Trees are relatively easy to plant and are vital to our ecosystem. They are often referred to as the ‘lungs of the Earth’ as they play a crucial role in both absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen,” he explains. “Moreover, trees are pivotal in soil stabilization, as well as in reducing air temperature, humidity, and the risk of flooding. Consequently, the protection, preservation, and planting of trees present an opportunity for offsetting carbon footprints and fighting against global warming.”

The tree planting initiative had a secondary impact, personnel engagement. “Everyone was involved and personally invested in the process; we all want to feel like we are doing something positive for the environment. Some studies estimate that 1.2 billion trees need to be planted worldwide to absorb two-thirds of the CO2 emissions generated by human activities since the Industrial Revolution, so we need to act now,” Gerulskis concludes.

At an estimated CO2 absorption of around 25kg a year, a forest of 5,500 mature trees will sequester about 11,000 metric tons of CO2 every 80 years. 

Monitoring and assessing sustainability milestones and achievements

Bruks Siwertell Group’s sustainability goals are assessed from an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) perspective, with each initiative falling into one or more of these categories. This is to clarify how different initiatives impact our overall sustainability work, and how their results can be used to maximum effect. It also contributes to our commitment to transparency. All aspects of our sustainability work are designed to be educational, so that we increase our knowledge and adjust our ambitions accordingly.