Counteracting the greenhouse effect

Sustainable forest management implies that the forest area maintains its size and that only as much timber is used as is replanted.

Austria has long been one of the most wooded countries in Central Europe. Approx. 3.92 million hectares - about 47% of the country’s land - are wooded. This means we have an approximate timber stock of 1 billion cubic metres and each year about 28 million cubic metres of additional growth are added. In contrast, just 14 million cubic metres are used.

Everybody directly or indirectly profits of the biological production of the forest and its different functions:

Economic function - production of environmentally-friendly, long-lasting timber products

Environmental function - noise reduction, climate and water content control as well as the cleaning and renewal of air and water

Protective function – protection of forest land against avalanches, mudflows, falling rocks, landslides and erosion

Recreational function - local recreational area for regeneration and recreational activities

Timber is a biological resource and therefore it has a tremendously important role in counteracting the greenhouse effect caused by globally increasing carbon emissions. During its growth, a tree binds carbon dioxide (CO2) into its cells. A tree needs carbon to build its organic structure. During the process, oxygen (O2) is released into the atmosphere. (The amount of oxygen needed for three people to breathe for their whole lives will be "produced" by one 25 metre high tree). If a tree isn‘t cut down, it will eventually die from old age. The carbon bound within the tree is then released in the form of CO2 and the biological cycle is complete.

If a tree is used and processed into a timber product, the carbon remains bound in the timber. At the end of its useful life the timber product is either recycled or used to generate energy. In contrast to the combustion of fossil fuels, when timber is burnt, only the CO2 which the tree took from the atmosphere during its life is released.

This cycle also has a role in timber housing and timber construction. If a timber building is rebuilt or modified, the costs and new materials used will be minimised. Many timber components are 'detachably' connected, i.e. nailed, screwed or plugged together, meaning that single components can be reused. If components are not reused as building materials they can be burnt for energy, so completing nature’s cycle.