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Life Cycle Analysis of Carbon Flow and Carbon Footprint of Harvested Wood Products of Larix principis-rupprechtii in China

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Listed:
  • Fei Lun

    (School of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Qinghua East Road 35, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Moucheng Liu

    (Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A Datun Road, Beijing 100101, China)

  • Dan Zhang

    (Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A Datun Road, Beijing 100101, China)

  • Wenhua Li

    (Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A Datun Road, Beijing 100101, China)

  • Junguo Liu

    (School of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Qinghua East Road 35, Beijing 100083, China
    School of Environmental Science and Engineering, South University of Science and Technology of China, Shenzhen 518055, China)

Abstract

Larix principis-rupprechtii is a native tree species in North China with a large distribution; and its harvested timbers can be used for producing wood products. This study focused on estimating and comparing carbon flows and carbon footprints of different harvested wood products (HWPs) from Larix principis-ruppechtii based on the life cycle analysis (from seedling cultivation to HWP final disposal). Based on our interviews and surveys, the system boundary in this study was divided into three processes: the forestry process, the manufacturing process, and the use and disposal process. By tracking carbon flows of HWPs along the entire life cycle, we found that, for one forest rotation period, a total of 26.81 tC/ha sequestered carbon was transferred into these HWPs, 66.2% of which were still stored in the HWP when the rotation period had ended; however, the HWP carbon storage decreased to 0.25 tC/ha (only 0.9% left) in the 100th year after forest plantation. The manufacturing process contributed more than 90% of the total HWP carbon footprint, but it was still smaller than the HWP carbon storage. In terms of the carbon storage and the carbon footprint, construction products had the largest net positive carbon balance compared to furniture and panel products. In addition, HWP are known to have a positive impact on global carbon mitigation because they can store parts of the sequestered carbon for a certain period of time and they have a substitution effect on carbon mitigation. Furthermore, there still exist great opportunities for carbon mitigation from HWPs through the use of cleaner energy and increasing the utilization efficiency of wood fuel.

Suggested Citation

  • Fei Lun & Moucheng Liu & Dan Zhang & Wenhua Li & Junguo Liu, 2016. "Life Cycle Analysis of Carbon Flow and Carbon Footprint of Harvested Wood Products of Larix principis-rupprechtii in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-16, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:8:y:2016:i:3:p:247-:d:65229
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Proietti, Stefania & Sdringola, Paolo & Desideri, Umberto & Zepparelli, Francesco & Brunori, Antonio & Ilarioni, Luana & Nasini, Luigi & Regni, Luca & Proietti, Primo, 2014. "Carbon footprint of an olive tree grove," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 115-124.
    2. Zhou, Zhongren & Wu, Wenliang & Chen, Qun & Chen, Shufeng, 2008. "Study on sustainable development of rural household energy in northern China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 12(8), pages 2227-2239, October.
    3. Haina Wang & Yingsheng Yang & Xiaoyi Zhang & Guangdong Tian, 2015. "Carbon Footprint Analysis for Mechanization of Maize Production Based on Life Cycle Assessment: A Case Study in Jilin Province, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(11), pages 1-13, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Shanshan Wang & Weifeng Wang & Hongqiang Yang, 2018. "Comparison of Product Carbon Footprint Protocols: Case Study on Medium-Density Fiberboard in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-14, September.
    2. 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.
    3. Cristiane Karyn de Carvalho Araújo & Rodrigo Salvador & Cassiano Moro Piekarski & Carla Cristiane Sokulski & Antonio Carlos de Francisco & Sâmique Kyene de Carvalho Araújo Camargo, 2019. "Circular Economy Practices on Wood Panels: A Bibliographic Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-21, February.

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