The construction industry is undergoing a remarkable transformation with a profound positive impact on the environment. Instead of relying on carbon-intensive materials like cement and steel, builders are turning to Brazilian hardwood, a choice that could not only help them reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also achieve carbon-negative projects. This remarkable feat is due to the unique properties of Brazilian hardwood, which serves as a natural carbon sink, effectively sequestering the CO2 taken from the atmosphere during the harvesting and manufacturing of these exceptional woods.
How Brazilian Hardwood Works
Nature has its ingenious ways of maintaining carbon dioxide levels at their optimal levels. Brazilian hardwood is inherently designed to assist in this process by utilizing photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, these woods absorb carbon from the atmosphere and convert it into wood, primarily composed of carbon-based atoms. This conversion, fueled by sunlight and water, results in the absorption and breakdown of CO2. The process releases oxygen back into the atmosphere while retaining carbon within the wood. In essence, Brazilian hardwood acts as a carbon sponge, and this role is more critical than ever, given the escalating levels of CO2 emissions in our atmosphere.
Thanks to organizations like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), some forests are now protected and capable of sustainable timber production. This means that construction projects primarily utilizing materials from these forests could potentially achieve a minimal or even negative carbon footprint.
Brazilian Hardwood as Carbon Stores
The construction industry is a significant contributor to the 39% of global carbon emissions. To combat this, it is essential for the industry to make changes. There are numerous strategies to reduce carbon emissions, and one of the most effective is incorporating wood-based materials into construction projects. Brazilian hardwood, particularly when used in external walls (timber cladding), floors, roofing, and the building frame, can substantially reduce a building’s carbon footprint if maintained properly. These materials have the potential to store substantial amounts of carbon throughout a building’s lifecycle.
Additionally, any wooden components that are no longer in use can be readily recycled into other products, such as furniture and toys. This recycling process ensures that the carbon remains locked away, even as the wood enjoys a second life.
Looking Ahead with Brazilian Hardwood
A more extensive use of Brazilian hardwood presents one of the most logical solutions for the construction sector to address our increasingly unstable climate. However, a substantial shift is needed to make a significant impact. If business continues as usual, only 0.5% of new buildings will incorporate Brazilian hardwood by 2050. Yet, with the expansion of mass timber manufacturing, studies indicate that up to 90% of timber construction could become a reality. This would result in the storage of 700 million tonnes of carbon annually.
While this may offset only a fraction of the 11,000 million tons of carbon currently being emitted each year, the construction sector, known for its significant environmental impact, has the potential to set a precedent for a more sustainable future. It’s only a matter of time before the rest of the world follows suit, embracing the transformative power of Brazilian hardwood in creating carbon-neutral construction.
