Finland’s forests are more than landscapes. They are a cornerstone of the national economy, a source of livelihoods, and an essential part of cultural identity. The forest sector contributes around five percent to the country’s GDP and employs tens of thousands of people, making it one of the most important industries in Finland.
At the same time, these forests are under increasing pressure.
The PRUDENT project focuses on this reality through its Finnish use case, which explores how behavioural insights can support more sustainable forest management in boreal forest systems. By working directly with forest owners and stakeholders, the project aims to understand how decisions are made and how they can be guided toward more sustainable outcomes.
One of the key challenges in Finland is the prevalence of intensive, monoculture forestry practices. While efficient from a production perspective, these approaches can lead to biodiversity loss and negatively affect ecosystem services such as water quality and carbon storage. In addition, intensive forest management can create tensions with other forest uses, including recreation and conservation.
Despite growing awareness of these challenges, the transition to more sustainable practices is not always straightforward.
A major barrier is knowledge. Many forest owners have limited access to clear, practical information about sustainable forest management practices and their long-term impacts. Without this understanding, it can be difficult to evaluate alternatives or feel confident in making changes.
There is also a relatively low level of interest and confidence in multifunctional forest management approaches, which aim to balance economic, environmental, and social objectives. These approaches often require new ways of thinking about forests, moving beyond timber production to consider biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and ecosystem services.
Access to training and advisory support is another critical factor. Not all forest owners are equally connected to traditional forest owner associations or support networks, which can limit their exposure to new knowledge and practices. As a result, even when sustainable options are available, they may not be widely adopted.
The Finnish use case addresses these challenges by testing sustainable practices alongside behavioural approaches. These include continuous cover forestry, which avoids clear-cutting and supports more stable forest ecosystems, as well as the introduction of tree species better suited to changing climate conditions. Efforts are also being made to restore more natural forest habitats and to manage forests in ways that enhance ecosystem services.
Digital tools play an important role in this transition. Sensors, satellite data, and decision support systems can provide forest owners with better information, helping them make more informed decisions. At the same time, circular economy approaches are being explored to ensure that forest resources are used efficiently and sustainably.
These activities are closely aligned with European policy priorities, including the Common Agricultural Policy 2023–2027, the Biodiversity Strategy, the EU Forest Strategy, and the Circular Economy Action Plan. Together, these frameworks aim to support a transition toward more resilient and sustainable land use systems.
However, as in other sectors, the success of these efforts depends on behaviour.
The Finnish use case highlights the importance of understanding how forest owners perceive risk, value information, and respond to new practices. By testing green nudges in real-world contexts, PRUDENT explores how to make sustainable forest management more accessible, more relevant, and easier to adopt.
The expected impacts are significant. Improved forest management can enhance biodiversity, increase carbon sequestration, and strengthen the long-term stability of forest stands. At the same time, building knowledge and awareness across generations can ensure that future forest owners are better equipped to manage forests sustainably.
Ultimately, the Finnish use case shows that the transition to sustainable forestry is not just a technical challenge. It is a human one. By focusing on how decisions are made, PRUDENT helps create the conditions for lasting change in Europe’s forest landscapes.
