Sustainable forestry is in our nature

The forests of Alberta are one of the most important natural resources we have. Alberta’s forest companies are committed to making sure that our forests remain sustainable forever.

Capturing Carbon

Trees and plants capture carbon from the atmosphere and produce oxygen. This process cleans our air, improves air quality, and absorbs carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to climate change.

Trees absorb carbon at different rates depending on their life stage. Younger trees capture more carbon than older trees, meaning that young, developing forests are especially efficient at removing carbon from the atmosphere.

Our forests provide us with one of the best alternatives.

The Science of Capturing Carbon

Wood products made from trees hold the carbon that was absorbed over the trees’ lifetime – dry lumber is 50% carbon by weight. Wood’s carbon storage capacity is why wood is such an effective opportunity for addressing climate change.

The amount of carbon stored by an average wood-framed house is equivalent to the emissions from running a car for five years. On top of that, forest companies grow three new trees for every tree that’s harvested to make these wood products – the new trees will absorb even more carbon, and younger trees absorb it at a faster rate.

It is possible for the carbon stored by trees to be released, though – this happens if the tree burns or is killed by insects like the mountain pine beetle. That’s why controlling and containing wildfires and infestations is such a hot topic.