Construction is an inherently CO2/carbon intense activity. In the construction world, concrete and steel are the two top contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. A wood building is equal to 1% of the carbon footprint of a comparably sized concrete and steel structure.
Managed lumber harvesting
When construction components are utilized, there are efficiencies and carbon savings realized all throughout the build process. On-site labor requirements are lowered so emissions from commuting to and from job-sites are reduced. Building materials are delivered in bulk directly to the manufacturing facility, also reducing co2 emissions. Materials are more efficiently used and far less material is thrown away, reducing the amounts consumed and thus the amounts needed to harvest and manufacture. Wood waste is used throughout the production facility. It is either turned into smaller “blocking” components, used for shipping, sent to recycling centers or used to heat the facility during high heating season.
The production of Portland cement contributes to about 10% of world carbon dioxide emission. (Wikipedia)
Whenever wood or engineered wood components are used in construction, it effectively “sequesters” and locks the CO2 contained within the wood fibers for the life of the structure.
Recycling steel
Wood is easily renewed and emits very low CO2 (carbon dioxide) from harvesting and processing relative to steel and concrete. Recycled steel and concrete are better than new, freshly milled materials, however, they both still require enormous amounts of energy in order to reclaim and recycle and be reconstituted into building products and materials. Virgin steel or concrete both emit extremely high concentrations of CO2 during processing. Consider the mining operations, bulk transportation (sea, barge & rail), over the road transport and milling (foundry) as well as kiln processing of cement, it is enormous.
The environmentally sustainable choice…
