US study reveals benefits of timber construction
16 April 2014Between 12-19% of fossil fuel consumption could be saved by using more wood, and up to 31% of global emissions could be avoided by substituting timber for concrete and steel, according to a new study.
The research, carried out by scientists from Yale and the University of Washington, showed that wood-based construction consumes much less energy than concrete or steel construction.
The scientists also concluded that using timber for construction purposes, rather than inefficient burning, would help reduce CO2 emissions and fossil fuel use.
They calculated that by increasing the amount of wood harvested (currently 3.4 billion m3 per year, globally) from 20% to 34% of the amount of wood grown annually and using it efficiently in new products, some positive results would arise.
These would include avoiding 14-31% of global CO2 emissions relating to steel and concrete, and saving 12-19% of annual global fossil fuel consumption. The latter saving would be achieved because waste wood and "unsellable" materials could be burned for energy rather than fossil fuels.
The study's lead author, Professor Chadwick Oliver, said there were other benefits too.
"Forests contain a lot of diversity, which can be maintained by harvesting some of the forest growth," he said. "This harvested wood will save fossil fuel and CO2 and provide jobs, giving local people more reason to keep the forests."
