IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/forpol/v85y2017ip1p192-200.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Review of carbon storage function of harvested wood products and the potential of wood substitution in greenhouse gas mitigation

Author

Listed:
  • Geng, Aixin
  • Yang, Hongqiang
  • Chen, Jiaxin
  • Hong, Yinxing

Abstract

Global forests have the potential to significantly increase or reduce atmospheric greenhouse gas (GHG) concentration. Harvested wood products (HWP) are an important part of the forest-atmosphere carbon cycle. On the one hand, HWP can retain the carbon for various periods of time, depending on the end uses. On the other hand, using HWP in place of more GHG-intensive materials and using wood bioenergy to substitute for fossil fuels result in reduced fossil fuel emissions. However, critical methodological differences exist in existing literature in assessing the GHG effects of HWP and wood bioenergy substitution, and large diversity in system boundary, substitution scenario, study period, and reference baseline results in large difference in reported GHG effects of wood substitution. In the present study, we conducted a comprehensive literature review to (a) clarify the methodological issues in GHG effects assessments of HWP and wood bioenergy substitution, (b) summarize and compare the reported GHG effects, and (c) identify knowledge gaps to inform future research. We support the conclusion that to accurately assess the GHG effects, HWP and wood bioenergy life-cycle carbon analysis needs to be integrated with forest carbon balance analysis. Substituting HWP for non-wood materials appears to be more effective in reducing GHG emissions than substituting wood for fossil fuels. The time required to obtain net emission reduction for wood bioenergy in place of fossil fuels can be 0years, decades or more than a century, depending on forest biomass sources (e.g., harvest residue, standing live trees) and fossil fuels displaced. For HWP used to replace non-wood material, however, the time required to obtain net emission reduction largely remains a future research need. Overall, HWP and wood bioenergy originated from sustainably managed forests can significantly contribute to GHG emissions reduction in the long term.

Suggested Citation

  • Geng, Aixin & Yang, Hongqiang & Chen, Jiaxin & Hong, Yinxing, 2017. "Review of carbon storage function of harvested wood products and the potential of wood substitution in greenhouse gas mitigation," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 85(P1), pages 192-200.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:forpol:v:85:y:2017:i:p1:p:192-200
    DOI: 10.1016/j.forpol.2017.08.007
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1389934116302179
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.forpol.2017.08.007?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bjart Holtsmark, 2012. "Harvesting in boreal forests and the biofuel carbon debt," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 112(2), pages 415-428, May.
    2. Leif Gustavsson & Kim Pingoud & Roger Sathre, 2006. "Carbon Dioxide Balance of Wood Substitution: Comparing Concrete- and Wood-Framed Buildings," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 11(3), pages 667-691, May.
    3. Kim Pingoud & Tommi Ekholm & Ilkka Savolainen, 2012. "Global warming potential factors and warming payback time as climate indicators of forest biomass use," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 17(4), pages 369-386, April.
    4. Roger Sedjo, 2002. "Wood materials used as a means to reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs): An examination of wooden utility poles," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 7(2), pages 191-200, June.
    5. Sedjo, Roger A., 2011. "Carbon Neutrality and Bioenergy: A Zero-Sum Game?," RFF Working Paper Series dp-11-15, Resources for the Future.
    6. Marland, Gregg & Schlamadinger, Bernhard, 1995. "Biomass fuels and forest-management strategies: How do we calculate the greenhouse-gas emissions benefits?," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 20(11), pages 1131-1140.
    7. Bjart Holtsmark, 2014. "A comparison of the global warming effects of wood fuels and fossil fuels taking albedo into account," Discussion Papers 778, Statistics Norway, Research Department.
    8. Hong, Jingke & Shen, Geoffrey Qiping & Guo, Shan & Xue, Fan & Zheng, Wei, 2016. "Energy use embodied in China׳s construction industry: A multi-regional input–output analysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 1303-1312.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Marek Potkány & Miloš Gejdoš & Marek Debnár, 2018. "Sustainable Innovation Approach for Wood Quality Evaluation in Green Business," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-14, August.
    2. Gilbert Ahamer, 2022. "Why Biomass Fuels Are Principally Not Carbon Neutral," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-39, December.
    3. Arnould, Maxence & Morel, Laure & Fournier, Meriem, 2022. "Embedding non-industrial private forest owners in forest policy and bioeconomy issues using a Living Lab concept," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    4. Jim Hart & Bernardino D'Amico & Francesco Pomponi, 2021. "Whole‐life embodied carbon in multistory buildings: Steel, concrete and timber structures," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 25(2), pages 403-418, April.
    5. Harumi Ikei & Hyunju Jo & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2023. "Physiological Effects of Visual Stimulation by a Japanese Low Wooden Table: A Crossover Field Experiment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(14), pages 1-13, July.
    6. Charles Breton & Pierre Blanchet & Ben Amor & Robert Beauregard & Wen-Shao Chang, 2018. "Assessing the Climate Change Impacts of Biogenic Carbon in Buildings: A Critical Review of Two Main Dynamic Approaches," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-30, June.
    7. Mathieu, Valentin & Roda, Jean-Marc, 2023. "A meta-analysis on wood trade flow modeling concepts," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    8. Arnould, Maxence & Morel, Laure & Fournier, Meriem, 2021. "Developing the persona method to increase the commitment of non-industrial private forest owners in French forest policy priorities," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    9. Mengwan Zhang & Ning Ma & Youneng Yang, 2023. "Carbon Footprint Assessment and Efficiency Measurement of Wood Processing Industry Based on Life Cycle Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-24, April.
    10. Mariana Hassegawa & Jo Van Brusselen & Mathias Cramm & Pieter Johannes Verkerk, 2022. "Wood-Based Products in the Circular Bioeconomy: Status and Opportunities towards Environmental Sustainability," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-16, November.
    11. Kim, Do-hun & Sjølie, Hanne K. & Aguilar, Francisco X., 2024. "Psychological distances to climate change and public preferences for biodiversity-augmenting attributes in family-owned production forests," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    12. Jim Hart & Francesco Pomponi, 2020. "More Timber in Construction: Unanswered Questions and Future Challenges," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-17, April.
    13. Daiga Zute & Valters Samariks & Guntars Šņepsts & Jānis Donis & Āris Jansons, 2023. "Balancing Forest Regulations and Stakeholder Needs in Latvia: Modeling the Long-Term Impacts of Forest Management Strategies on Standing Volume and Carbon Storage," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
    14. Sarah M. Anderson & Linda S. Heath & Marla R. Emery & Jeffrey A. Hicke & Jeremy S. Littell & Alan Lucier & Jeffrey G. Masek & David L. Peterson & Richard Pouyat & Kevin M. Potter & Guy Robertson & Jin, 2021. "Developing a set of indicators to identify, monitor, and track impacts and change in forests of the United States," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 165(1), pages 1-16, March.
    15. Elias Hurmekoski & Juulia Suuronen & Lassi Ahlvik & Janni Kunttu & Tanja Myllyviita, 2022. "Substitution impacts of wood‐based textile fibers: Influence of market assumptions," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(4), pages 1564-1577, August.
    16. Federico E. Alice‐Guier & Frits Mohren & Pieter A. Zuidema, 2020. "The life cycle carbon balance of selective logging in tropical forests of Costa Rica," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 24(3), pages 534-547, June.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Lintunen, Jussi & Uusivuori, Jussi, 2014. "On The Economics of Forest Carbon: Renewable and Carbon Neutral But Not Emission Free," Climate Change and Sustainable Development 165755, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM).
    2. Olivia Cintas & Göran Berndes & Annette L. Cowie & Gustaf Egnell & Hampus Holmström & Göran I. Ågren, 2016. "The climate effect of increased forest bioenergy use in Sweden: evaluation at different spatial and temporal scales," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 5(3), pages 351-369, May.
    3. Bentsen, Niclas Scott, 2017. "Carbon debt and payback time – Lost in the forest?," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 1211-1217.
    4. Koponen, Kati & Soimakallio, Sampo & Kline, Keith L. & Cowie, Annette & Brandão, Miguel, 2018. "Quantifying the climate effects of bioenergy – Choice of reference system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P2), pages 2271-2280.
    5. Kallio, A.M.I. & Salminen, O. & Sievänen, R., 2013. "Sequester or substitute—Consequences of increased production of wood based energy on the carbon balance in Finland," Journal of Forest Economics, Elsevier, vol. 19(4), pages 402-415.
    6. Ekholm, Tommi & Karvosenoja, Niko & Tissari, Jarkko & Sokka, Laura & Kupiainen, Kaarle & Sippula, Olli & Savolahti, Mikko & Jokiniemi, Jorma & Savolainen, Ilkka, 2014. "A multi-criteria analysis of climate, health and acidification impacts due to greenhouse gases and air pollution—The case of household-level heating technologies," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 499-509.
    7. Charles Breton & Pierre Blanchet & Ben Amor & Robert Beauregard & Wen-Shao Chang, 2018. "Assessing the Climate Change Impacts of Biogenic Carbon in Buildings: A Critical Review of Two Main Dynamic Approaches," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-30, June.
    8. Lintunen, Jussi & Uusivuori, Jussi, 2016. "On the economics of forests and climate change: Deriving optimal policies," Journal of Forest Economics, Elsevier, vol. 24(C), pages 130-156.
    9. Kallio, A.M.I. & Salminen, O. & Sievänen, R., 2016. "Forests in the Finnish low carbon scenarios," Journal of Forest Economics, Elsevier, vol. 23(C), pages 45-62.
    10. Sun, Xudong & Li, Jiashuo & Qiao, Han & Zhang, Bo, 2017. "Energy implications of China's regional development: New insights from multi-regional input-output analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 196(C), pages 118-131.
    11. Zhang, Yang & Yan, Da & Hu, Shan & Guo, Siyue, 2019. "Modelling of energy consumption and carbon emission from the building construction sector in China, a process-based LCA approach," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    12. Riikka Siljander & Tommi Ekholm, 2018. "Integrated scenario modelling of energy, greenhouse gas emissions and forestry," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 23(5), pages 783-802, June.
    13. Michetti, Melania & Parrado, Ramiro, 2012. "Improving Land-use modelling within CGE to assess Forest-based Mitigation Potential and Costs," Climate Change and Sustainable Development 122862, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM).
    14. Piccardo, C. & Dodoo, A. & Gustavsson, L. & Tettey, U.Y.A., 2020. "Retrofitting with different building materials: Life-cycle primary energy implications," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    15. Gustavsson, Leif & Haus, Sylvia & Lundblad, Mattias & Lundström, Anders & Ortiz, Carina A. & Sathre, Roger & Truong, Nguyen Le & Wikberg, Per-Erik, 2017. "Climate change effects of forestry and substitution of carbon-intensive materials and fossil fuels," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 612-624.
    16. Favero, Alice & Mendelsohn, Robert & Sohngen, Brent, 2016. "Carbon Storage and Bioenergy: Using Forests for Climate Mitigation," MITP: Mitigation, Innovation and Transformation Pathways 232215, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM).
    17. Lazarevic, David & Kautto, Petrus & Antikainen, Riina, 2020. "Finland's wood-frame multi-storey construction innovation system: Analysing motors of creative destruction," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 110(C).
    18. Withers, Mitch R. & Malina, Robert & Barrett, Steven R.H., 2015. "Carbon, climate, and economic breakeven times for biofuel from woody biomass from managed forests," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 45-52.
    19. Hoel, Michael & Holtsmark, Bjart & Holtsmark, Katinka, 2014. "Faustmann and the climate," Journal of Forest Economics, Elsevier, vol. 20(2), pages 192-210.
    20. Dodoo, Ambrose & Gustavsson, Leif, 2013. "Life cycle primary energy use and carbon footprint of wood-frame conventional and passive houses with biomass-based energy supply," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 834-842.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:forpol:v:85:y:2017:i:p1:p:192-200. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/forpol .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.