BLOOMBERG • January 27, 2024
Establishing just how much carbon is saved by building with timber isn’t straightforward. There are still big unanswered questions: Is mass timber good for the climate irrespective of its source? Life-cycle assessments look at the carbon spent moving logs from forest to mill. There’s also the energy expended milling and manufacturing wood into mass-timber products such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glued laminated timber (glulam). In addition, there’s the carbon released when construction cranes and tractors burn fuel, and even renovations and routine maintenance over decades. Another critical concern is how the forest where the wood grew is managed, and life-cycle analyses don’t comprehensively quantify the benefits of sustainable forestry.