Wood Products Could Be a Key to Reducing GHG Emissions

By Sarah Puls and Joey Pickford
North Carolina State University News
February 21, 2024
Category: Wood, Paper & Green Building
Region: United States, US East

Harnessing the ability of wood products to store carbon even after harvest could have a significant effect on GHG emissions and change commonly accepted forestry practices, a new study from NC State researchers suggests. The new study uses carbon storage modeling to link the carbon stored in wood products with the specific forest system from which the products originated. …“Corrugated cardboard boxes are one of the most important products made from loblolly pine,” said Sarah Puls. “If we can extend the effective lifetime of products like these boxes, it could have a significant impact on carbon storage associated with southern pine plantations.” …The study also found that smaller sawtimber logs and engineered materials like OSB might also be good at storing carbon since they can be grown quickly but still go into long-lasting products like houses. …The study also found that short rotations could potentially outperform slower long rotations in carbon storage when a forest is highly productive.

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