Available stock: 1450 tCO₂e

Pine and spruce trees in the Nordic region of Europe can store about 1.8 tons of CO2 as they grow.  If the trees were left to decompose after death, or used for paper or energy, this CO2 will be released into the atmosphere. Moelven, a Norwegian timber company, harvests these local trees before they die and creates a laminated construction timber called glulam used in the construction of buildings. All local forests that are harvested to make glulam are sustainably managed and new trees are replanted. 

Moelven follows Puro.earth’s Wooden Building Elements methodology to ensure that CO2 stored in glulam remains locked away for at least 50 years. However, because burning of wood used in construction is outlawed in the areas of northern Europe where glulam is used, waste materials are often transformed into other products like soil amendments and insulation, lengthening the storage of carbon in these unique wooden products. Manufacturing processes for glulam are ISO-certified and highly efficient. Any wastes, typically less than 1%, are included in the calculation of removal credits, thereby addressing waste-based leakage.

The use of glulam-based building materials helps reduce the dependence on traditional wood, indirectly preventing the destruction of forests. The project also supports employment for local communities in its production facilities.