The green cycle

Our growing forest and renewable products mean that we can leave fossil carbon in the ground.

In the green cycle, carbon atoms move between the forest, forest products and the atmosphere. Through photosynthesis, trees use carbon dioxide in the air to build wood fiber. The raw material from the forest is then used for solid-wood products, pulp, paper and renewable energy. Timber houses can retain carbon for many years and paper is recycled and used several times. And finally, the worn out wood fiber is used for energy production and becomes carbon dioxide, which can again be captured by growing trees.

As trees get older, their growth gradually slows. Lastly, the tree dies and it decomposes, and the bound carbon is released back into the atmosphere. Through active forest management, high growth can be maintained in the forest. Harvested trees are replaced with new forest seedlings. The volume of growing forest is increasing. Renewable raw materials from the forest can be used to replace products and materials with a larger carbon footprint and the fossil carbon can be left in the ground.