Life Cycle Carbon Dioxide Emission and Stock of Domestic Wood Resources using Material Flow Analysis and Life Cycle Assessment

Abstract

Lifecycle greenhouse gas emission and carbon stock of domestic wood resources and products were evaluated using material flow analysis and life cycle assessment. Carbon storage and material substitution effect was analysed for a single residential wooden house substituting typical concrete house. The embodied greenhouse gas emission of wooden type was lower than that of concrete type by 54.3t CO2e. Furthermore, the wooden house stored 38.3t CO2 in the wood material used for the house until the end of life of the house. To promote greenhouse gas mitigation potential of forest sector, the application of life cycle assessment and material flow analysis of wood products is required. Wood biomass such as demolition wood or wood pellet can reduce greenhouse gas emission when used for energy source by substituting fossil fuel consumption. Better option and increasing wood use for material and energy substitution can be a strategy to cope with climate change in forest sector.