How do you assess the environmental impact and carbon footprint of mass timber projects?

1 Life cycle assessment

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a systematic method of quantifying the environmental impacts of a product or system over its entire life span, from raw material extraction to disposal or recycling. LCA considers various indicators, such as greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, water consumption, waste generation, and biodiversity loss. LCA can help compare the environmental performance of different materials and design options, and identify the hotspots and trade-offs in the life cycle of a mass timber project.

2 Carbon accounting

Carbon accounting is a specific aspect of LCA that focuses on measuring and reporting the carbon emissions and sequestration associated with a product or system. Carbon accounting can help evaluate the carbon footprint of a mass timber project, which is the net amount of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emitted or stored over its life cycle. Carbon accounting can also help estimate the carbon benefits of using mass timber, such as avoiding emissions from fossil fuel-based materials, storing carbon in the wood, and displacing emissions from other uses of wood.

3 Environmental product declarations

Environmental product declarations (EPDs) are standardized documents that provide verified and transparent information about the environmental impacts of a product or system based on LCA. EPDs can help compare the environmental performance of different mass timber products, such as cross-laminated timber (CLT), glued-laminated timber (glulam), or nail-laminated timber (NLT). EPDs can also help communicate the environmental credentials of a mass timber project to stakeholders, such as clients, investors, regulators, and the public.

4 Software tools

Software tools are applications that facilitate the collection, analysis, and presentation of LCA and carbon accounting data for mass timber projects. Software tools can help simplify the complex and time-consuming process of conducting LCA and carbon accounting, and provide user-friendly and customizable outputs. Software tools can also help integrate LCA and carbon accounting with other aspects of structural engineering, such as structural analysis, design optimization, and cost estimation. Some examples of software tools for mass timber projects are Athena Impact Estimator, Tally, and WoodWorks Carbon Calculator.

5 Certification schemes

Certification schemes are voluntary programs that recognize and reward the environmental performance of a product or system based on predefined criteria and standards. Certification schemes can help ensure the credibility and quality of the LCA and carbon accounting data for mass timber projects, and provide a competitive advantage and market differentiation. Certification schemes can also help promote the adoption and innovation of mass timber as a low-carbon and sustainable material. Some examples of certification schemes for mass timber projects are LEED, Passive House, and Living Building Challenge.

6 Best practices

Best practices are guidelines and recommendations that aim to improve the environmental impact and carbon footprint of mass timber projects. Best practices can help optimize the design, construction, operation, and end-of-life stages of a mass timber project, and reduce the environmental impacts and carbon emissions associated with each stage. Best practices can also help address the challenges and barriers that may limit the potential of mass timber as a low-carbon and sustainable material. Some examples of best practices for mass timber projects are using local and certified wood sources, minimizing waste and offcuts, maximizing prefabrication and modularization, enhancing energy efficiency and renewable energy use, and facilitating reuse and recycling.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?