Timber and cross-laminated timber (CLT) have gained increasing popularity as a sustainable building material in recent years. This is mainly due to their ability to store carbon, or what is often referred to as carbon sequestration.
What is carbon sequestration?
Carbon sequestration refers to the process of removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and storing it in a stable form for an extended period of time. This can occur naturally or through deliberate human intervention.
Natural carbon sequestration occurs through various processes, such as photosynthesis by plants and trees, which absorb CO2 and store it in their tissues, and the absorption and storage of carbon in the oceans. Other natural processes that can sequester carbon include the formation of peat bogs, which are wetlands that accumulate organic matter over time, and the geological storage of carbon, where carbon is stored in rocks or minerals.
Human intervention can also contribute to carbon sequestration. For example, afforestation and reforestation projects can increase the amount of carbon stored in trees and soils. Additionally, carbon capture and storage technologies can capture CO2 emissions from industrial processes and store them underground or in other long-term storage solutions.
Carbon sequestration is important for mitigating climate change because it helps reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. By sequestering and storing carbon, we can help slow down the rate of global warming and reduce the negative impacts of climate change.
Why is carbon sequestration/storage important?
Carbon storage is important because CO2 is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. By capturing and storing carbon, we can reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere and mitigate the impacts of climate change. This is why timber is such a great, sustainable building material, in contrast to many other building materials, such as concrete and steel, which emit significant amounts of CO2 during their production. The reduction of CO2 in the atmosphere makes the use of trees (timber) as a building block of passive house design particularly popular for sustainable home builds.
How LAROS uses Timber
We use 3-ply, cross-laminated timber sheets in the construction of our prefab panels.
Our 3-ply timber is sourced from sustainable and ethical forests. Sustainable forestry practices can also be supported by the use of timber and CLT in construction. By planting new trees to replace those that have been taken down, sustainable forestry ensures that trees are harvested ethically. This aids in keeping forests in good condition so they can keep taking in CO2 from the atmosphere.
In addition to its sustainable and ethical sourcing, LAROS also uses timber for its carbon storage and sequestration benefits. By using 3-ply CLT in the construction of its prefab panels, LAROS is able to significantly reduce its carbon footprint and contribute to the fight against climate change.
The use of 3-ply CLT in construction is an excellent example of carbon sequestration through human intervention. The production of CLT involves pressing together layers of timber at right angles, which creates a strong and durable building material. During this process, carbon is stored within the timber, which continues to sequester carbon throughout its lifespan.
Moreover, by using timber as a building material, LAROS is able to avoid the emissions associated with traditional building materials like concrete and steel. The production of these materials emits significant amounts of CO2, which contributes to climate change. By using timber instead, LAROS is able to significantly reduce its carbon footprint and make a positive contribution to the environment.
Overall, LAROS’s use of timber, specifically 3-ply CLT, is an excellent example of sustainable and responsible building practices. By sourcing its timber from sustainable and ethical forests and using it in construction, LAROS is able to contribute to the fight against climate change while also creating energy-efficient and health-promoting buildings.