Carbon

LVM’s approach to decreasing its CO2 footprint

LVM suggests the following priorities:

• prudent forest management:
• every year volume of the cut trees is less than the forest yield;
• after cutting the forest is always renewed.
• afforestation of farmlands:
• the company buys land suitable for afforestation and grows new forests.
• use of renewable energy in its buildings and offices: 
• 90% of its offices use wood granules, firewood and sawdust for heating.
• optimisation of load-transfer distances: 
• in order to decrease CO2 emissions from transport, works are planned to take place together in order to minimise unnecessary trips.

CO2 Footprint

CO2 footprint refers to the total of greenhouse gas emissions directly or indirectly associated with an activity or a product and increases over the course of its life cycle. It is a method of calculating humanity’s impact on the environment. CO2 footprint can be calculated for a project, product, service or for a whole company. CO2 capture is usually marked with “-” sign, while CO2 emissions are marked with “+” sign.

Since 2011 LVM has been measuring its CO₂footprint. LVM calculation methodology is certified according to the ISO 14064-3:2006 standard. 

LVM is one of the few companies whose CO₂ footprint is positive, as the forests capture more carbon dioxide than is emitted during the forestry works. The stored amount of the CO₂ eqv. in the forests managed by LVM is 400 mil. tonnes, while in 2013 the captured CO₂ eqv. due to the growth of the forests managed by LVM amounted to 15 mil. tonnes. Meanwhile, only 0.13 mil. tonnes of CO₂ eqv. were emitted as a result of LVM forestry works in 2013.

The CO2 emitted by LVM results mainly from the consumption of electricity, petrol and gas for heating, which makes up 6% of the total emissions. However, in order to perform the planned forestry works, LVM hires subcontractors, who emit 94% of the total volume.

Thus, the CO₂ footprint for preparing and delivering 1 m3 of roundwood is positive during the whole LVM production cycle, i.e., 1 274 kg of  CO₂  is captured.