UPM Timber has launched a carbon storage calculator on its website. With the carbon storage calculator, wood industry professionals, UPM Timber's customers and consumers can easily calculate the amount of carbon sequestered in wood raw material and examine its climate impacts.

“The carbon storage calculator provides the user with a clear measure of the emissions that have been generated by the production and transportation of the wood raw material needed for a specific project. It also provides a clear measure of the carbon that has been stored when the project is completed. The tool brings the climate impact of our raw material choices closer to everyday life, helping us all make more sustainable decisions," says Antti Koulumies, Vice President, UPM Timber.

Wood is an excellent building material due to its renewability, durability, and carbon sequestration capacity. Using wood as a building material significantly reduces carbon dioxide emissions compared to materials that require more fossil fuels in their production. In Finland, the new building law, which came into effect at the beginning of 2025, aims to promote emission reduction and the circular economy. From 2026 onwards, the initiator of a construction project must demonstrate the origin of the building materials, the amount of energy used in their production and transportation, and the emissions they cause. UPM Timber's carbon storage calculator helps the user to better understand the role of sawn timber as a long-term carbon storage.

"The foundation of UPM's strategy is to create value for society – both as a responsible company and through renewable and sustainable solutions. UPM Timber's carbon storage calculator defines one approach of value creation, the carbon dioxide stored in wood products," says Sami Lundgren, Vice President, Responsibility at UPM.

UPM Timber aims to be a frontrunner in environmental responsibility in its industry, and thanks to fossil-free production, UPM Timber's emissions are already quite low. The new carbon storage calculator is part of UPM Timber's continuous effort to increase transparency in the value chain and provide its customers with tools to promote sustainability.

Source: upm.com