Product Climate Impact Calculator

The Product Climate Impact calculator calculates the average fossil global warming potential (GWP) fossil and carbon storage in different Metsä Wood products by volume. The calculator is based on Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) for Metsä Wood’s products.  

The calculator provides information only on Metsä Wood’s own products and services. Users should be aware that the results may not be directly comparable to other studies or calculators. 

As the building sector contributes up to 40% of global annual greenhouse gas emissions, it plays a vital role in combatting climate change (1). Wood construction is a part of the solution. Designing Kerto® LVLbirch plywoodspruce plywood and Finnjoist products for long service life ensures long carbon storage times. Reuse and recycling ensure prolonged carbon storage.  

Production of Metsä Wood products creates also fossil greenhouse gases. Main sources of emissions when producing Metsä Wood products comes from production site, raw materials and logistics. Metsä Wood aims to decrease its fossil climate impact and we have a target of Fossil free mills by 2030. You can read more about our targets on reducing our climate impact on Wood 2030 Targets -page.

The calculator provides indicative results. Product Climate Impact results are always calculated estimations and should not be considered as the exact impact on climate change. The results are based on the best available data and the calculation process also includes assumptions.  While we strive to use the most accurate and up-to-date data, there may be uncertainties due to the nature of the data collection process.  

This leaflet is provided for information purposes only and no liability or responsibility of any kind is accepted by Metsä Wood or their representatives, although Metsä Wood has used reasonable efforts to verify the accuracy of any advice, recommendation or information. Metsä Wood reserves the right to alteration of its products, product

 


(1) IRP, Resource Efficiency and Climate Change, 2020, and UN Environment Emissions Gap Report 2019

For example, producing 5 m3 of Kerto LVL S-beams (A1-A3) emits 1,4 tn  CO2eq. and for the full life cycle of the building, 5 m3 of Kerto LVL S-beams store an amount of carbon that corresponds to 3,7 tn of CO2.   


Carbon cycle

The stored carbon originates from the atmosphere as trees absorb CO2 and water to produce carbohydrates by utilizing the energy from sunlight. These carbohydrates are part of the tree structure in which the carbon stays stored. As long as the wood product is in use, carbon stays stored. Reuse and recycling ensure prolonged carbon storage. Once the material is disposed, biogenic carbon is released back to the atmosphere. The released carbon is again absorbed by trees from in the form of CO2 and used to produce new carbohydrates. 

The unit for carbon storage is CO2 equivalent (CO2 eq.). This unit means that the amount of carbon is changed to corresponding amount of CO2.  If a product stores carbon 1000 kg CO2 eq. it is the same amount of carbon as in 1000 kg of carbon dioxide.