A timber home stores about 45 tonnes of carbon dioxide on average. Trees take up carbon dioxide as they grow: a piece of wood consists of 50% carbon. That carbon remains stored for as long as the wood stays in high-quality use, while replanting replaces the sustainably harvested wood.
Up to 2030, the province of Gelderland is building 80,000 homes, of which 20% (16,000 homes) must be built circularly. Timber can play an important role here, with CO₂-eq reduction compared with conventional building materials and carbon dioxide storage in buildings. The MKI and MPG environmental calculations still work against timber construction, because the carbon storage of wood is counted as short-lived, while the CLT used in timber construction holds carbon for a long period. Source: Climate Action Recap Gelderland, built environment sector analysis (New Economy).