The versatile natural product can be a sustainable raw material – but only if you don’t overdo it. But that is exactly what is becoming apparent: A study shows that not enough wood can grow back on earth to meet the enormously increased demand. Germany is particularly worryingly ahead: We use twice as much wood as the global average. Therefore, the fight against waste is now announced – priorities should be set when using the limited raw material, say the experts.
Trees have provided mankind with raw materials for building, heating and many other purposes since time immemorial. After artificial materials had overtaken wood for a long time, in the age of environmental crises attention is increasingly directed towards the traditional resource. Because the natural product is considered sustainable: trees form it continuously, greenhouse gases are bound and wood is also biodegradable. It is increasingly used as a replacement for concrete in building construction, as an alternative to fossil fuels for heating and as a raw material for the production of bioplastics.
This often gives the impression that it is a panacea for more sustainability. But to what extent can our planet continuously provide enough wood for all possible purposes? Scientists from the University of Kassel have investigated this question together with the nature conservation organization WWF Germany. The study was based on analyzes of satellite images, trade flows and national to global consumption and forest statistics. This information enabled calculations that shed light on different aspects of the wood use issue.
Already exceeded capacity limits
The team came to the conclusion: In order to effectively protect biodiversity and climate protection, around 3.0 billion cubic meters of wood with bark could be harvested worldwide. Even with significant limitations in terms of sustainability, there could be a maximum of 4.2 billion that the natural growth of forests and plantations can provide. However, a comparison with global consumption showed that the use of wood is already unsustainable today. According to the research, the amount of timber felled worldwide in 2020 was 4.3 to 5 billion cubic meters. Up to two billion cubic meters of wood are taken from the forests per year. That corresponds to about half of all forest trees in Germany, the team explains.
The study results also show that the overexploitation of forests will probably continue to intensify: The global demand for wood is constantly increasing, especially for packaging, the construction industry, bioplastics and bioenergy. This applies in particular to countries with an already high level of consumption. The team focused on Germany as an example: we use an average of around 1.2 cubic meters of wood per capita. That is more than twice the global average. Therefore, although Germany has relatively large forest resources, timber has to be imported in order to supply the large domestic timber industry.
Countersteer announced
“It’s the quantity that counts, also when it comes to our wood consumption,” emphasizes Meghan Beck-O’Brien from the University of Kassel. “Wood can be the raw material of the future. But in order not to overuse it, we must end the waste we encourage through our business models, incentive systems, and social norms. More than ever before, this study gives us the opportunity to look at our lifestyle, the state of the forests and climate change in a mutually influencing context,” says the scientist.
As the team emphasizes, measures are now needed to counteract the problematic development and to limit wood consumption in a prudent manner: “The study shows how urgently we need a discussion in politics and society about the most sensible use of wood,” says Susanne Winter from WWF. It is important not to automatically propagate wood as sustainable, especially with regard to energy use. “Especially the consumption for heating and energy generation eats a massive hole in the forest,” says Winter.
Priorities must therefore be set when using the limited resource: the team suggests that the raw material should be used in a cascading manner and in a closed-loop system, based on the positive effect. Instead of burning it directly in the power plant or chimney, long-term use makes sense, for example as a replacement for the “climate killer” concrete in the construction industry. “Investments should also be made in infrastructure and in the development of know-how for high-quality recycling and the material reuse of wood waste,” says Winter. In any case, we cannot continue as if there is no tomorrow, the team insists. “The forest is not a timber factory, it is one of the foundations of our existence,” says Winter.
Source: University of Kassel, original publication: Everything from wood – The resource of the future or the next crisis? How footprints, benchmarks and targets can support a balanced bioeconomy transition. WWF Germany.”