Growing trees absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen in photosynthesis. On average, a typical tree absorbs the equivalent of one tonne of carbon dioxide for every cubic metre’s growth, while producing the equivalent of 0.7 tonnes of oxygen.
The carbon dioxide absorbed becomes stored in the tree, and some of this carbon is transferred to the products made from it. Wood-based products can be recycled, thus lengthening the storage time of carbon.
When wood-based products come to the end of their life cycle, either naturally or through incineration for energy recovery, the carbon is released back to the air and is then reabsorbed by growing trees.
