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1 Introduction and key messages The purpose of this pack This pack presents the Forestry Commission’s key messages on climate change. It draws together the information available from the Forestry Commission, Forest Research and other relevant organisations, to explain in one document the role of trees, woods and forests in tackling climate change. Who is this pack aimed at? The pack is primarily aimed at Forestry Commission staff, so that they are able to communicate the Forestry Commission’s key climate change messages to the public. Key messages: a summary Trees, woods and forests can provide part of the solution to limiting climate change, and to helping society to adapt to the changes that we all face. We must help our trees, woods and forests to adapt and become resilient to the changing climate. • Climate change resulting from human activity is a reality. Forests and forestry can be an important and attractive part of the solution. • On a global scale, we must protect and manage the woods and forests that we already have as well as planting new forests, to “mitigate” climate change. • Cutting down trees is not always bad for the environment. As long as woodlands are managed in a sustainable way, there can be a multitude of benefits: for the climate, for people and for wildlife. • Wood is a smart choice. Timber is renewable and can replace other materials that require much larger fossil fuel inputs for their production. It can also replace fossil fuels directly in the form of renewable energy, or wood fuel. • Trees can help us to adapt to a changing climate. They provide shade, alleviate flooding, and create a valuable wildlife habitat. • Our forests are changing due to climate change and we need to plan ahead to help them adapt. The Forestry Commission is working to provide the answers and best practical solutions based on sound evidence. Through its management of the public forest estate, and its research and promotional work, the Forestry Commission is already playing an important role in combating climate change, and in helping our forests adapt to the changing climate. This pack provides more information about each of these key messages. The Convenient Truth The "A Convenient Truth" pack and DVD produced by the Forestry Commission in 2007, breaks these messages down into six actions that we can take: Protect what we already have Reduce deforestation Restore the world’s forest cover Use wood for energy Replace other materials with wood Plan to adapt to our changing climate. A note about sustainable living Living sustainably by reducing waste, recycling, reducing consumption and generally adopting a “greener lifestyle” are all really important ways in which we can reduce our impact on the environment. However, sustainable living is dealt with extensively elsewhere by other organisations, and the messages are not unique to the Forestry Commission. Therefore this document focuses on the unique role of the Forestry Commission in terms of trees, woods, forests and climate change. What do the British public think about forests and climate change? The Public Opinion of Forestry Survey 2007 included questions about climate change, and the answers identified clear areas that required more communication. For example: • 62% of people said that cutting down trees and forests makes climate change worse, even if they are replanted. A further 24% were unsure. • Only 41% of people thought that using wood as a building material was better for climate change than concrete or steel. • 46% of people thought that using wood as a fuel makes climate change worse because it releases carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. • 25% of people thought that trees should not be felled in any circumstances, even if they are replaced. The full survey can be found at: www.forestry.gov.uk/statistics. Some of the misconceptions identified by this report have helped to shape the information provided in this pack. This should arm Forestry Commission staff with the information required to address common questions or concerns about these subjects. Climate change as a result of human activity is a reality. Forests can be an important and attractive part of the solution 2 Some background information We are experiencing climate change because human activities continue to release greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Forests are part of the cause of climate change because globally deforestation contributes to nearly 20% of carbon dioxide emissions. However, forests can be an important part of the solution if we can reverse deforestation and plant new forests to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Human impact Earth’s climate has been relatively stable since the last glaciation, which ended 10,000 years ago However it is generally agreed among scientists that we are now experiencing climate change as a result of human activities that have taken place over the last century or so Since the industrial revolution, burning of fossil fuels and large-scale deforestation have released greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere These and other human activities mean that atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide have risen by 40% over pre-industrial levels Sun Some energy is reflected back into space Solar energy from the sun passes through the atmosphere and heats the Earth’s surface Some heat is radiated back out into space Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere trap some heat keeping the Earth warm Atmosphere Earth Greenhouse gases occur naturally in the atmosphere. Indeed the Earth would be uninhabitable without them. The problem is that levels of greenhouse gases have increased due to human activity since the 1850s. Greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere warm the Earth by preventing heat escaping from the atmosphere back into space. Trees are a carbon store Trees store carbon through photosynthesis While they are growing, trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis and store it as carbon in the form of wood. 6 CO2 Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere Facts and Figures • Carbon dioxide is the most important greenhouse gas in terms of human activity. In the UK it contributed to over 85% of total greenhouse gas emissions in 2004. • More carbon is stored in global forest ecosystems than is contained in all of the world’s remaining oil stocks, or in the atmosphere • Deforestation alone currently accounts for nearly 20% of global carbon dioxide emissions. This is greater than the whole transport sector • Soil contains the largest carbon store in the UK with woodland soils storing about 500 million tonnes of carbon. This is in comparison to the 150 million tonnes stored in forest biomass. + 6 H2O C6H12O6 + Water Organic matter 6 O2 Oxygen Plants use carbon dioxide and water as raw materials during photosynthesis to produce sugars. These sugars provide the energy required to for the production of cellulose, or lignin in the case of woody plants – locking up carbon. Oxygen is produced as a by-product. Some of the carbon dioxide is returned to the atmosphere through respiration. The remaining carbon is stored in leaf, root, seed, wood and branch biomass. What is the difference between carbon and carbon dioxide? • Carbon is a chemical element with the symbol C. It is the fourth most abundant element in the universe by mass after hydrogen, helium and oxygen. • Carbon dioxide is a gas at standard temperature and pressure. At the beginning of the 20th Century, woodland covered only 5% of the UK’s land surface. This is now up to 12% (8% of England), and although still small in • One tonne of carbon is equivalent to 3.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide. • One tonne of (oven-dried) wood contains approximately half a tonne of carbon. This is the equivalent of 1.85 tonnes of carbon dioxide. global terms, the forests and woodlands in the UK have an important role to play. The work of the Forestry Commission is vital. Where does the carbon go? CO2 in atmosphere Decay of litter releases CO2 Removal of CO2 from atmosphere Respiration adds CO2 to the atmosphere Photosynthesis (gross primary productivity) Net primary production – new biomass (i.e. stem wood, roots, branches, leaves, fruit) A summary of the carbon exchange associated with a typical woodland. New litter input from foliage, seeds, wood Net increase in soil carbon Summary • Earth’s climate is changing as a result of human activity • Trees and forests and their products can be part of the solution to combating climate change if they are well managed, both on a global and a local scale Climate change is a reality 3 What will climate change look like? Climate change projections suggest that Britain will experience increasingly warmer and drier summers, accompanied by milder but wetter winters. There will also be more extreme weather events. But it doesn’t feel warmer! It is often difficult to reconcile the recent cold, wet summers with the fact that the ten warmest years on record have all occurred since 1994. However, what sticks in our minds is short term weather rather than long term trends in climate. We will probably see cold periods lasting for a number of years and apparent increases in summer rainfall, but these will be blips within a more general warming trend and a tendency towards drier summers. Climate change now and in the next 30-40 years is inevitable due to past greenhouse gas emissions. Beyond this timeframe, the amount of climate change will be determined by the emissions that we are producing now. Weather and climate: what’s the difference? Weather describes atmospheric conditions over a short time period, and climate is how the atmosphere "behaves" over relatively long time periods. Climate change means changes in the long-term averages of daily weather. Climate change in England - key facts • Climate change is happening, and a further increase in temperature of at least 2°C globally by 2100 is now inevitable due to past emissions. • We can expect a further rise in temperature of 2°C (above the 1961 to 1990 baseline) by 2100 even if we decrease our carbon dioxide emissions dramatically. • If no action is taken now, the rise in temperature could be as high as 7°C by 2100. • The growing season has lengthened and trees are coming into leaf up to three weeks earlier than in the 1950s (the study of phenology). • Winters in the UK are likely to become wetter (by up to 30%) and summers drier. Areas of southern England are likely to become subject to more frequent and severe summer drought. • Rainfall events are likely to become more intense. • Sea level rise of between 1-10cm will occur around the UK coast per decade over the next 100 years leading to a decrease in land area. Summary • Climate change is happening and an increase in temperature of at least 2°C globally is now inevitable due to past emissions • Summers in the UK will be warmer and drier, and winters warmer and wetter • Extreme weather events will become more common One of the key predicted impacts of climate change is more extreme weather events. The headline-hitting flooding events of the last couple of years are certainly consistent with this aspect of climate change, but we cannot say that they are the result of climate change. Winter 18 Spring Summer Autumn 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 2005 1995 1985 1975 1965 0 1955 Climate change projections for the UK are published by the UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP). Most recent studies have used the scenarios published in 2002 (UKCIP02). New projections will be published in 2009. These will provide more quantification of uncertainty and the probability of specific changes in climate happening. Go to www.ukcip.org.uk for more information. 20 Average Temperature (oC) Arctic regions are especially sensitive to warming and will see even larger increases in temperature. This could lead to the release of the huge quantities of methane currently stored beneath the Arctic. Methane is a greenhouse gas 25 times more powerful than carbon dioxide, and in a positive feedback loop could lead to further dramatic temperature rises. Year Temperature data has been recorded at Bedgebury Pinetum since 1960. Results so far show a slow, steady rise in all seasons since recording began. Our forests are changing due to climate change and we need to plan ahead to help them adapt 4 What does climate change mean for forestry? Our changing climate means increased uncertainty for the future, and hence increased risk. We must plan ahead to help our forests adapt. Potential impacts: a summary Change expected Beneficial effects Negative effects Increased carbon dioxide Enhanced growth rates. Water loss is reduced due to closure of leaf pores. Reduced timber quality unless different species are used to those that we use currently. Possible nutrient imbalances. Reduced summer rainfall Drought conditions become more severe and frequent – some tree species no longer suitable for commercial forestry. Stress caused by drought makes trees more susceptible to pests and diseases. Increased tree mortality – particularly street trees. “Drought crack” reducing timber quality. Increased winter rainfall Waterlogging and reduced access for forest machinery. Increased mortality of fine roots. In turn this can worsen the effects of summer drought. Infection by soil–borne diseases is increased by fluctuating water tables. Reduced stability and more wind throw. Increased storm frequency Greater storm damage. Warmer temperatures Longer growing season. Increased potential productivity. Lower risk of winter cold damage. Potential for use of tree species that are not hardy enough to thrive in Britain at present. Leaves appearing earlier due to warmer temperatures can leave trees vulnerable to frost damage. Pests able to survive through winter. Potential for exotic pests to spread to the UK. Species that rely on the timing of each others life cycles could become out of synchronisation with each other – e.g. flowers and their pollinators. Focus on: Green spruce aphid (Elatobium abietinum) Green spruce aphid Species suitability Our changing climate is likely to result in some tree species becoming less suited to the areas in which they currently live, and some becoming more suitable. Woodland flora is also likely to suffer. Some non native species may benefit from climate change and could become invasive in the future by out-competing native species. Monitoring and record keeping are essential to follow the impacts of climate change and decide what actions to take. We must plan ahead to help our woodlands adapt. See sheet 10 for more information on adaptation. Pests and diseases Climate change will mean that: 1 Stressed trees are more susceptible to insect pests and diseases 2 More pests will be able to survive over winter and summer activity is likely to increase – leading to increased tree disease and damage • Some insect pests that are currently at low levels, or are not currently considered a threat are likely to become more prevalent. • The effective range of existing pests or pathogens may change, including a northward expansion of those with a southern distribution and the likely appearance of some from continental Europe • The changing climate may be increasingly favourable to a new range of pests that are inadvertently introduced through global trade. This aphid defoliates Sitka spruce and Norway spruce in the UK. At present, its populations appear to be limited primarily by cold winter temperatures below –7°C and sudden frosts. Higher temperatures will lead to higher reproduction and growth rates, and will allow more aphids to survive during the winter. Phytophthoras Phytophthoras are a group of fungal pathogens responsible for major plant diseases in many parts of the world. Phytophthora diseases can be expected to become more prevalent due to drier summers and wetter winters. At the same time climatic stress on trees such as oaks could also make them more susceptible. Phytophthoras are linked to Sudden Oak Death and "oak decline”. Horse chestnut leaf miner (Cameraria ohridella) This moth causes severe damage to the appearance of horse chestnut trees, and benefits from hot dry conditions when the tree is already suffering drought stress. It is thought that climate might also have a role to play in increased incidence of bleeding canker of horse chestnut, but this is currently under investigation. Appearance of exotic pest species Exotic pests such as the southern pine beetle could establish populations in Europe, and climatic warming could make UK forests susceptible to damage. Red band needle blight This is an economically important disease affecting a number of coniferous trees, particularly pine species. Since the late 1990s incidence of the disease has increased dramatically in Britain, particularly in Corsican pine (Pinus nigra ssp. laricio). Due to the extent and severity of the disease on this species, there is now a five-year ban on the planting of it on the Forestry Commission estate. It is thought that the increase could be due in part to warm, wet springs in recent years. Increased global movement of timber and wood products The combined effects of increased global movement of timber and wood products, and climate change, are likely to result in exotic pests such as Asian longhorn beetle becoming more prevalent. Damage to Corsican pine caused by red band needle blight The impact of our changing climate on pests and diseases means that we must remain vigilant in reporting new pests and altered patterns of damage. When looking at the design and species composition of our forests, we must think about how pests and diseases might affect the tree species that we use and how this might change in the future. Exotic pests like this Asian longhorn beetle might become more common. Park and street trees are particularly at risk from this species Summary • Climate change will affect our trees and woodlands and we must help our forests to adapt. • Many pests and diseases are likely to benefit from climate change. We must continue to be vigilant in their monitoring and think about changes that we might have to make to the species composition of our forests. The Forestry Commission is already playing an important role in combating climate change, and in helping our forests adapt to the changing climate 5 The role of the Forestry Commission and climate change: a summary The Forestry Commission is already playing an important role in mitigating climate change and adapting to its impacts. What is the Forestry Commission doing about climate change? 1. Six point action plan The Forestry Commission is tackling climate change through the six point action plan laid out in the Convenient Truth (2007). Some of these actions are directly relevant to our work in Forestry Commission woodlands in England, while others are achieved through influencing the international forestry and climate change agenda: • Protecting and managing the forests we already have • Reducing deforestation • Restoring woodland cover • Using wood for energy • Replacing other materials with wood • Planning to adapt 2. Research The Forestry Commission’s research agency, Forest Research has carried out climate change focused research for many years. The significance of its role in this area has now been further recognised by the creation of a dedicated Centre for Forestry and Climate Change. The Forestry Commission is sharing its knowledge through the Global Partnership on Forest Landscape Restoration to help make a difference at a global level. Work has included: • The development of the Ecological Site Classification tool to assess the likely impacts of climate change on the suitability of individual tree species and native woodland communities • Analysis of how climate change may alter the impacts of pests and diseases on trees and woodlands • Investigating the ability of our native species to adapt to climate change 4. Continuing to manage its forests sustainably SHEET 7 3. Planting and promoting the planting of more trees SHEET 6 There is also a global aspect to this work. By planting new forests and re-establishing those that have been lost, we can help to restore the planet’s forest cover. 5. Promoting and increasing the use of wood products SHEET 8 6. Promoting and increasing the use of wood as a fuel SHEET 9 7. Starting to adapt its woodlands to climate change SHEET 10 8. Involvement in the development of green infrastructure and research into urban trees SHEET 11 Forests and forestry can be an important and attractive part of the solution 6 Mitigation: Planting more trees Trees store carbon. One of the practical ways to combat climate change is to lock up or sequester more carbon from the atmosphere through planting more trees as long as the right trees are planted in the right place. Definition: The term mitigation refers to activities aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and/or removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. A headline statistic is that the carbon sequestered (or stored) by half a hectare of conifer woodland over one rotation can compensate for the carbon dioxide emissions associated with car fuel consumption during one average driver's lifetime. However, with 30 million registered drivers in the UK, three quarters of the land area of the nation would have to be covered in forest to make car use alone carbon-neutral. Therefore planting more trees is an attractive part of mitigating climate change, but can clearly never be the whole solution. Just how much carbon does one tree store? A recent study carried out at Kielder Forest has calculated that the Forest’s 150 million trees lock up 82,000 tonnes of carbon annually. This means that as a rough estimate each tree at Kielder is locking up 0.546kg of carbon per year – equivalent to 2kg of carbon dioxide. Although this example does answer the apparently simple question ‘how much carbon does one tree store,’ in reality the answer is far from straight forward; it is dependent on species, growing conditions and how a tree is managed. For example, 2500 trees might be planted per hectare in a commercial plantation (broadleaf or conifer) but only 50-500 remain when the final crop is harvested as a result of natural mortality and thinning. Facts and figures • UK forests and woodlands contain around 150 million tonnes of carbon • UK forests and woodlands are a carbon sink, as they remove about 4 million tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere every year • Current UK emissions of carbon dioxide are about 550 million tonnes per year In addition, young trees absorb carbon dioxide quickly while they are growing, but as a tree ages a steady state is eventually reached. At this point the amount of carbon absorbed through photosynthesis is equal to that lost through respiration and decay. It is, therefore, a much simpler concept to talk about how much carbon an area of woodland can sequester or store. Fast growing conifer stands in the UK can sequester about 10 tonnes of carbon per hectare per year during their active growth phase, although a more typical figure representative of a broader range of forest types is 3-5 tC/ha/yr. When UK woodlands are looked at as a whole, the average falls to 1-2 tC/ha/yr if removals during harvest and the contribution from unproductive woodlands are also included. In terms of total carbon storage, a commercial conifer plantation grown over 50 years might sequester 50-100 tonnes of carbon per hectare. In contrast, an old growth forest may store up to 250 tC/ha but over a much longer period (300 years or more). Carbon offsetting Trees and forests have a clear role to play in helping to mitigate climate change, and tree planting projects have been proposed as valid ways to help ‘offset’ unavoidable carbon emissions – carbon offsetting. However, there has been resistance to such projects for a number of reasons, including the following: • Is the activity ‘additional’ or would the tree planting have occurred anyway? • Will the woodland be permanent, or will the carbon be re-emitted in the future? • Will the carbon be counted only once – or by a number of individuals/organisations? • Are the emissions reductions real? The most important point is that offsetting – whether through tree planting or not – should not be the first thought; reducing emissions should always be the main objective. Secondly, offsetting requires certainty in the emissions reductions taking place. This is a very difficult issue for tree planting projects, which generally provide funding for carbon uptake in the future. However, it is undeniable that planting new woodlands in appropriate locations removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and also provides a number of other environmental and social benefits that many other offsetting options do not provide. Tree planting projects therefore do have a role to play in helping to fight climate change, but those investing in them need to be aware of the issues involved. Definitions: Sequestration This is the act of removing (literally seizing) carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in biological material. Sink A forest is termed a carbon “sink” if there is a net transfer of carbon from the atmosphere to the forest. A forest only remains a sink while its carbon stock continues to increase. Store Wood products are a store of carbon, as they themselves do not capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but keep it locked up throughout their lifetime. Summary • As long as the right trees are planted in the right place, planting more trees can be an attractive way of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere • However overall, tree planting can only ever play a very small part in climate change mitigation Cutting down trees is not always bad for the environment 7 Mitigation: Managing our woodlands Sustainable woodland management practices balance the wide range of benefits that woodlands provide, including biodiversity, recreation and effects on the carbon cycle. Sustainable forest management means an ongoing cycle of trees growing and being harvested for timber products. It covers a range of approaches from “energy forests” that are felled and replanted over rotations as short as seven years, to continuous cover stands that are never clear-felled, but from which timber trees are removed on a regular basis and allowed to regenerate naturally. However all approaches are characterised by maintenance of the amount of carbon stored in the long term, and continued growth. Woods that are sustainably managed generally have higher rates of carbon storage (sequestration) than woodlands that are not managed. This is because when woodlands that are not managed approach the “old growth” phase, the amount of carbon dioxide that they absorb from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, is balanced by emissions through respiration, litterfall and decay. They may even start to emit more carbon dioxide through respiration and decay than they take in through photosynthesis. Woods where trees are periodically thinned are generally also better for associated woodland wildlife. More light is able to reach the forest floor – leading to an increase in diversity of woodland flowers, insects and animals. Careful management also helps to protect woodlands against hazards such as pests, diseases, storms and fire. Deforestation on the other hand implies a change in land use to non-forested land. In many parts of the world, achieving a transition from deforestation to forest conservation and management is a challenge. The But doesn’t cutting down trees release more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere? In well-managed forests, felling trees is part of the sustainable management cycle. Felled trees are replaced by young trees, by natural seeding or coppice regrowth. Fastgrowing young trees absorb more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than older trees. Trees that are felled can be used to produce wood products including wood fuel. economic pressure for deforestation is greatest in developing countries, but every country in the world benefits from maintaining forest resources where trees are replanted when cut, absorbing more carbon. Protection through certification The best way to ensure that timber comes from a sustainable source is to use an independently certified supplier, or to ask suppliers whether they use certified timber. There are two global forest certification schemes, which demonstrate that timber and wood products come from legal and sustainable sources. These are: FSC – Forest Stewardship Council PEFC – Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes The FSC label is currently found on over 10,000 product lines in the UK alone – from garden furniture, to bird boxes, brushes, wallpaper, doors, toilet tissue, paper books and pencils. FSC not only certifies timber products; in fact all forest products can potentially be certified. Venison from Forestry Commission land is one such non- timber product that is FSC certified in the UK. In the UK, the UK Woodland Assurance Standard is an independent certification standard for verifying sustainable woodland management. It is not a certification scheme but is designed to provide a single common standard for use within those forest certification programmes that operate in the UK. During 1999 every Forestry Commission woodland in England, Scotland and Wales (around 40% of British forests) was assessed against the UK Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS) by an independent auditor. As a result, Forestry Commission woodlands now carry the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) stamp of approval. This makes the Forestry Commission the largest supplier of FSC certified round timber in the UK. Summary • Wood products that come from well managed forests have the most benefits in terms of combating climate change, as more trees are planted in place of those cut down • Well managed woodlands generally store more carbon than stands that are not harvested • Buying wood from certified forests ensures that those forests have been sustainably managed • All Forestry Commission woodlands are now certified by the Forest Stewardship Council Wood is a smart choice 8 Mitigation: Using timber as a renewable, low energy material Wood products are unique. They come from a natural, renewable resource, which can be sustainable if managed properly. The carbon they contain remains stored for the duration of the product’s lifetime, until it decays or is burned. The longer the wood product is used, the longer the period of time the carbon is stored. A global increase in the use of industrial wood products would help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, as long as the woodlands from which they come are sustainably managed. When it comes to constructing homes and buildings, wood has the lowest energy consumption and carbon footprint of any commonly used building material. Every cubic metre of wood that is used as a substitute for other building materials saves around 2 tonnes of carbon dioxide: • Around 0.9 tonnes of carbon dioxide is stored as carbon in the wood • On average 1.1 tonnes of carbon dioxide are saved because of the lower energy consumption involved in manufacture Use of wood in buildings also helps to save energy over the life of that building, as the cellular structure of wood makes it an excellent thermal insulator. It is: • 15 times better than concrete • 400 times better than steel • 1770 times better than aluminium 0.2MJ 5.9MJ 6.3MJ It isn’t just wooden housing that can help us mitigate climate change – there are many everyday products for which we can substitute wood for other materials. This picture gives an example of the differences in carbon dioxide emissions for production of a wooden, steel and a plastic spoon. 17g of CO2 emmissions 460g of CO2 emmissions 200g of CO2 emmissions Wooden spoon Stainless steel spoon Plastic spoon Wood products extend the period that the carbon dioxide captured by trees is kept out of the atmosphere. Increased use of wood products can encourage the expansion of forests, and as long as they are well managed, more carbon dioxide is captured from the atmosphere through new growth. The benefits of using more wood products • Wood stores carbon • Wood products require less energy to manufacture than equivalent materials like steel • Wood is a good thermal insulator, saving energy and money through running costs • Wood is a beautiful material • Wood is a long-lasting material • Very little waste is generated through the manufacture of timber and wood products • Any waste material can be burnt as a fuel in place of fossil fuels (see sheet 9) • Using wood products can encourage the expansion of forests Of course, not all products that are currently made from plastics or concrete can be made from wood. However, using wood where possible and where appropriate, can provide a valuable and aesthetically beautiful part of the solution to mitigating climate change. Frequently asked questions But what about the durability of wood – buildings made of wood won’t last very long will they? Building with wood has a long history. In Norway churches built from wood in the 12th and 13th centuries are still standing. In Japan there is even a temple still standing which was built in the 7th century. But surely wood products can’t go on storing carbon indefinitely? Wood products increase the amount of time for which carbon is stored. At the end of its lifetime, it is likely that a wood product will either: (a) decay, (b) go into landfill, (c) be recycled e.g. to produce chipboard or pulp for paper, or (d) be burned. Today the average service life of a wooden house is between 80-100 years, with some builders guaranteeing a lifetime of 125 years. This is where it is important that the wood used in building and in products, comes from a sustainably managed woodland, so that more trees are planted, which can absorb carbon dioxide, to replace those that have been harvested to create the wood product. Doesn’t using wood in buildings create a fire hazard? The technology for timber frame buildings has been developed extensively over the last ten years. New fire retardant treatments that last for the life of the building make modern timber buildings fire-safe. Trees harvested and wood products created Trees absorb carbon dioxide If a wood product is burned for fuel at the end of its lifetime, then it reduces the need to burn fossil fuels. Carbon dioxide stored as carbon in wood products More trees planted At end of lifetime Burnt as a fuel Recycled as chipboard or paper pulp Decompose in landfill Carbon dioxide released Summary • Wood products store carbon for the duration of their lifetime. • As long as the trees come from a well-managed forest, new growth absorbs more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. • Less energy and thus less fossil fuels are required in wood product manufacture than equivalent materials. • Not all products can be made from wood, but a global increase in wood products would help to decrease the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Wood is a smart choice 9 Mitigation: Wood fuel – renewable energy that grows on trees Wood used for energy is wood fuel. When used in place of fossil fuels, wood fuel reduces the net amount of carbon dioxide released to the atmosphere. There is the potential for the expansion of wood fuel use in the UK, but it is essential that forests that supply wood are managed sustainably. Wood fuel is a well-established form of heating, probably the oldest used by humans. Modern wood fuel systems burn the wood cleanly and efficiently and offer convenience and comfort. Although burning wood releases carbon dioxide, this is balanced by the carbon dioxide absorbed by the growth of new trees planted in place of those cut down. It is a carbon lean rather than a carbon neutral fuel, as small amounts of fossil fuel are required for its production and transportation. Fossil fuels locked up carbon millions of years ago in a very slow process. When fossil fuels are burned, the carbon is released very quickly. It takes millions of years for new coal and oil to form. Coppicing Coppicing is one type of traditional sustainable woodland management which is often used to produce wood fuel. Coppicing involves cutting the stems from a tree to leave a stump or “stool” which regrows. Each section of woodland will be cut about once every 15-30 years depending on the species being grown. Willow and poplar are also grown as short rotation energy crops over cycles as short as 3 years. A never-ending harvest Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere Trees are harvested and burnt as wood fuel More trees planted Small amount of CO2 released in transport and processing Carbon dioxide released from burning of the fuel This diagram shows that if more trees are planted in place of those cut down, wood can be a carbon lean fuel. Heat is the biggest energy demand in the UK – more than both electricity and transport. Therefore this is the best use of wood for energy in terms of carbon savings. Fuel Approx life cycle CO2 emissions kg/MWh Coal 484 Oil 350 Natural gas 270 Large scale wood chip combustion 58 Frequently asked questions Large scale wood chip gassification 25 Wood chips (25% moisture content) 5.5-6.6 Wood pellets (10% moisture content) 20 Can wood fuel solve all of the UK’s energy requirements? There are simply not enough trees in the UK to provide enough energy through wood fuel for all our requirements. However wood fuel can provide a good, positive part of the solution to reducing carbon emissions in conjunction with other renewable technologies. These figures show emissions over the life cycle of the fuel. This means that they include supply chains, production techniques and transport distances. In the case of wood fuel, emissions during combustion are assumed to be compensated for by the future growth of trees managed on a sustainable basis. Figures from the Biomass Energy Centre. Benefits of wood fuel • Wood fuel is a carbon-lean fuel (see above) • Producing and using wood fuel locally helps to minimise use of fuel in transport • Greater self-sufficiency for local communities • UK produced wood fuel contributes to fuel security • Creates new business opportunities – stimulating the rural economy and providing employment There is potential to increase the use of wood fuel in England as 60% of our forests are currently thought to be undermanaged. The Forestry Commission’s Wood Fuel Strategy for England aims to bring an additional two million tonnes of wood into the market annually by 2020. This could supply 250,000 homes with energy, equivalent to saving 3.6 million barrels of crude oil. Providing woodland owners with practical advice and skills to make informed choices about managing their woodland to produce wood fuel is one • Creating a market for wood fuel helps to bring woodlands into management • Sensitively managed woodlands generally provide better habitats for a wider range of woodland plants, birds, animals and insects than unmanaged woodlands • Wood fuel can save you money – it is often a cheaper option and has a more stable price than fossil fuels of the key tasks for Forestry Commission England – especially for those new woodland owners with no background in land management. However, none of the benefits of wood fuel will be realised unless woodland management is profitable. Wood fuel can be made from the lowest grade wood – providing a market for the poorest quality parts of the tree, while the higher quality timber can be used to make wood products, which lock up carbon for a long time. Isn’t wood a dirty fuel? Wood fuel systems produce very little ash, typically less than 1% and often much less. Wood fuel boilers typically run at very high efficiencies – up to 90% with some systems. This means that the fuel is converted to heat with very few smoke particles. The most important thing is to ensure that the boiler is well designed and well maintained. Isn’t it expensive to install a wood fuel system? Although they are more expensive to buy than other boiler systems, running a wood fuel boiler is comparable to or cheaper than an oil boiler. There are also grants and other financial support available for those wishing to install renewable energy systems. Wood fuel works best on a local scale – using locally grown trees in efficient boilers to provide heat for business and community use reduces haulage costs and carbon dioxide emissions. Summary • Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This is released back to the atmosphere when the wood is burned. More carbon dioxide is then absorbed by trees planted in their place. • To reap the carbon benefits, woodlands producing wood for fuel must be managed sustainably: trees must be replanted if cut down. • Wood fuel is carbon lean, rather than carbon neutral as some carbon dioxide emissions are produced during transport and processing. • Modern wood fuel systems burn wood cleanly and efficiently with little smoke or ash. • Wood fuel is a positive part of the solution to reducing carbon emissions. Our forests are changing due to climate change and we need to plan ahead to help them adapt 10 Adaptation: helping our forests adapt to climate change Adaptation to climate change means changing the way that we do things to take account of the inevitable and unavoidable changes that have started and will continue to happen during the coming decades. In terms of forestry this means designing and managing forests and woodlands so that they are able to cope with, and help society to cope with, climate change. We must ensure that our commercial woodlands are economically viable by helping them to adapt. In doing this we must make sure that our semi-natural woodlands are not compromised, and that our actions do not introduce threats for the future. Woodlands can also contribute to flood prevention, help to cool our cities and create wildlife corridors (covered by sheet 11). Due to the large size and long life span of trees, forest ecosystems are likely to be slow to react to changing climatic conditions, and for this reason we must think ahead in planning how to adapt our forests to climate change. How can we help our woodlands adapt to climate change? 1. Species and provenance choice Forest managers have to consider whether their woodlands will survive in a future climate. Forest Research are currently carrying out a number of species trials across the country to look at which species or provenances might be better suited to the climate of the future. The difficulty lies in ensuring that decisions made now are appropriate to both the current and future climate, and cover the considerable uncertainty over what the future climate will be. Ensuring that a forest is diverse, in terms of age structure, species and origin, will help to provide it with the resilience to cope with changing conditions. What does provenance mean? This is the site or locality from where the planting material was sourced. For example oak of French provenance might be better suited to a warmer climate than oak of local provenance in southern England. See Case Studies 1 and 2 (Sheets 14 and 15) for more information on how the Forestry Commission is planning ahead. 2. Ecological Site Classification (ESC) ESC is a computer based system to help guide forest managers and planners to identify how species being considered for woodland creation or restocking may respond to climate change. Focus on… beech Currently beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is very common in its native southern range, but as these ESC maps show, the abundance and vitality of the species is likely to decline over time, particularly in southeast England. Shallow-rooted species like beech are vulnerable to an increase in extreme weather events, and lower moisture levels due to drier, warmer summers. This can cause die-back and species that are more drought-tolerant may be able to invade. This means that in areas of southern England, beech may no longer be suitable as a timber crop. This does not mean that beech will disappear from the landscape, but planting a wider range of species on sites where beech is predicted to suffer would be prudent. Very suitable 1961-90 2050s high 2080s high Suitable Marginal Unsuitable Potential decline in suitability of different areas of the UK for beech with projected climate changes. High refers to high emissions scenarios. Plant and animal communities have evolved in response to climatic conditions since the last ice age. Within the range of climatic fluctuation species have moved to occupy suitable environments. However greater extremes and fast changing climatic regimes will mean that species are subject to greater variation. 3. New natives? Current UK policy encourages the planting of local provenances of native species, because these are likely to be adapted to local conditions. However these species and provenances may not be able to adapt to a fast-changing climate. It may be necessary to re-think the importance of always choosing native species. Another solution may be to source plant stock of native species from more southerly regions, which experience a current climate similar to that predicted for our future. 4. Management of existing woodland Increased productivity because of higher temperatures and carbon dioxide levels mean that rotation length (the length of time it takes for a tree to be ready for felling to produce timber products) and the timing of thinning may need adjustment. Management may also need to take into account changes in storm frequency, the effects of winter waterlogging on access for management, or the timing of the planting window. 5. Pests and diseases It is essential to remain vigilant in reporting new pests and diseases and altered patterns of damage. It is also necessary to think about changes in species choice in relation to potential pest and disease problems, as is shown by the current moratorium on planting of Corsican pine on the Forestry Commission estate. (See sheet 4 for more information on pests and diseases). 6. Reducing other pressures By removing or reducing other pressures on woodlands, such as invasive species and pollution, we can help to increase the resilience of our woodlands. 7. Landscape design Making our existing semi-natural woodlands larger provides a buffer to environmental change – increasing their resilience. New woodlands can help to create habitat networks and linkages so that species are able to move more easily across the landscape in response to climate change. 8. Monitoring and evaluation There is a great deal of uncertainty involved in predicting the exact effects of climate change. It is essential that we closely monitor the results of the actions that we take to help identify adaptation strategies for the future. Summary • Forest ecosystems are likely to be slow to react to climate change and we must plan ahead to help them adapt. • The Forestry Commission is carrying out research into which species might be best adapted to our future climate. • It may be necessary to consider whether non-native species have a role to play in our woodlands of the future. • Another solution could be to plant more southerly provenances of our native species. • Good conventional management practice will make our woodlands more resilient to climate change. Trees can help us to adapt to a changing climate. They provide shade, alleviate flooding, and create a valuable wildlife habitat 11 Adaptation: How our woodlands can help society to adapt to a changing climate Appropriately located woodland can help society and biodiversity to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Trees planted in the right places can reduce the risk of flooding, provide shade for our wildlife, reduce soil erosion and help to cool down our towns and cities. Trees in the urban environment The urban heat island effect means that temperatures in our towns and cities tend to be around 2°C higher than in rural areas. The built environment is also designed to increase runoff which means that water supply to these trees is often limited. Therefore it could be said that trees in urban areas are already adapted to the type of climate change that we can expect to see in the UK over coming decades. An urban heat island is a built up area which is significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas. The main cause is modification of the land surface by urban development. Trees and woodland are a vital component of what has become known as "Green Infrastructure" - a network of interconnected and multipurpose green areas. It is important to think about whether the species currently used as street trees will be suited to our future climate. Potential benefits from expansion of urban trees and woodland: • Trees absorb and reduce air pollutants, which are often highest in urban areas. • Trees reduce the impact of heavy rains and floodwaters. This will become increasingly important with the increase in severe weather events predicted with climate change. It also means that trees can have an important role in Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS). • Trees help to cool towns and cities through evaporation of water, reflection of sunlight and provision of shade. • Planting trees and woods in urban areas creates urban wildlife corridors. This can help species movement in response to climate change. Flood alleviation As well as reducing the risk of flooding in urban areas, woodland in headwater catchments can reduce the intensity and volume of floodwaters. Floodplain woodland lower in the catchment can provide floodwater storage and reduce peak flows. Riparian woodland Trees planted along riverbanks can also provide shade, helping to maintain lower water temperatures. This can help limit the effects of climate change on fish populations. Pony sheltering under trees in the New Forest Soil erosion control Tree canopies reduce rainfall intensity, act as a windbreak, and stabilise soil, reducing erosion. By reducing soil erosion trees also help to reduce consequent diffuse water pollution and the flooding that results from water courses silting up. Summary • Trees can help society and biodiversity to adapt to climate change: yet another reason to make sure that our woodlands are resilient to climate change • Trees in urban areas have an important role to play in reducing the urban heat island effect • Trees and woodlands can help to reduce the impact of floodwaters by reducing their volume and intensity 12 What can individuals do? Wood products Where possible buy wood products in place of other materials such as plastics. In order to ensure that these are from sustainably managed forests, make sure that they are certified. FSC is the most common logo to look for on consumables in this country. The FSC logo now appears on a huge range of products, from garden furniture to decking, sheds, conservatories, tools, bird boxes and bird tables, kitchen, bathroom and general housewares, brushes, wallpaper, flooring, doors, shelves, furniture, toilet tissue, paper, books and pencils – most things that are made from wood. It can also be found on other forest products such as venison, essential oils, and latex for footballs and balloons. Timber in building Consider timber as a building material if undertaking building projects. Individuals could also consider using wooden frames when replacing windows, or wooden flooring in the home. Ensure that these are certified either by FSC or other certification schemes. Even asking suppliers if they use certified timber can have an impact on their buying patterns. Wood as a fuel Can you think about switching to a wood burner to heat your home? Could you encourage your business or community buildings to switch to using an efficient wood fuel boiler to provide heat and hot water? As well as the carbon saving and environmental benefits, this could save you or your business money particularly if you currently use heating oil. Most importantly seek good advice on size, design and fuel. Charcoal In Britain we import 95% of our charcoal each year – a large proportion of which comes from unsustainable sources such as tropical forests or cleared mangrove swamps. Look out for FSC or other certified charcoal to make sure that it is from a sustainable resource. Even better, buy locally produced charcoal to support local woodlands and reduce the distances that the charcoal is transported. Paper If possible choose recycled paper as this is the greenest option overall – it prevents waste paper going to landfill, and requires fewer chemicals and about 70% less energy and 40% less water in its production. Where it is not possible to buy recycled paper, use paper which is certified, e.g. by FSC. There will always be the need for some virgin fibre (from newly cut down trees) as recycled fibres can only be reprocessed 6-8 times – in these cases it is important to use fibres from certified forests. Christmas trees Buy real. As long as your real Christmas tree comes from a well managed woodland it can offer a more climate-friendly alternative to a fake tree. Reports show that using a fake tree results in greater carbon dioxide emissions than using a new real tree Volunteer Where opportunities exist, get involved in helping to manage your local woodland! each year, if the fake tree is used for less than 20 years. All FC Christmas trees are sustainably grown in the UK in plantations that are replanted after they are felled. Make sure you recycle your real Christmas tree after you have finished with it! The Forestry Commission is already playing an important role in combating climate change, and in helping our forests adapt to climate change 13 Case Studies The following case studies seek to provide some practical examples of what the Forestry Commission is already doing to try to combat and adapt to climate change. This is not an exhaustive list, but can be added to at any time. Case Study 1: Adaptation: National Arboreta Long Term Planning Group Case Study 2: Adaptation and long term planning: Jeskyns Case Study 3: Mitigation (wood fuel) and Adaptation (research): Bedgebury Case Study 4: Mitigation - using more wood in building: Cannock, Dalby and Westonbirt Without planning ahead and beginning to think about irrigation, Japanese maples may find it hard to cope with summer drought. Can you imagine Acer Glade at Westonbirt Arboretum without any acers? 14 Case Study 1: Planning for the future Adaptation - the National Arboreta Long-term Planning Group representatives from Westonbirt Arboretum, Bedgebury Pinetum and Forest Research, and has been set up in order to plan and react to these changes in our climate, and consider how they may affect the future composition and management of the collections. Although these changes are predicted to take place over the next 50 –100 years, now is the time to make plans for any necessary shifts in tree species composition. The National Arboreta - Westonbirt and Bedgebury - are two world renowned Forestry Commission tree collections. They are both located in southern Britain, the region predicted to experience the greatest changes in terms of milder but wetter winters and warmer, drier summers, with climate change. The National Arboreta Long-term Planning Group includes The group is preparing a climate change risk assessment for the Arboreta and is in the process of creating and implementing an adaptation action plan to address these risks. This involves looking at the content of the collections, including species mix and vulnerability or resilience to change, and assessing the risks facing the collections in terms of pests and diseases. As well as nationally important collections at Westonbirt and Bedgebury, the Forestry Commission has at least 20 other tree collections across Britain. These sites can be used as valuable repositories for species that might no longer be suited to arboreta in other parts of the country or the world. The National Arboreta also have an important role in communicating the impacts of climate change on trees. Part of the role of the Planning Group is to raise awareness about the need to preempt and respond to projected climate change and its associated effects. 15 Case Study 2: Planning for the future Adaptation at Jeskyns Forestry Commission England has set up a project at Jeskyns in Kent that demonstrates one approach to ensuring that new woodlands are resilient to climate change. The demonstration woodland is divided into a “Woodland of the Present” and a “Woodland of the Future”. The “Woodland of the Future” contains some species that are likely to be more resilient to hotter and drier climates. Some of these species, including smallleaved lime and hornbeam, are native to the British Isles, but some non-native species have also been included. The seeds of native species used to grow the trees in the “Woodland of the Future” have been collected from warmer areas of Europe. Aims of this project: • To create a diverse woodland, which is resilient and able to adapt to projected climate change, and which can be monitored to help plan woodlands elsewhere. • To demonstrate that adapting to climate change does not mean wholesale changes and that hopefully, we can retain our characteristic wooded landscape through subtle changes. • To engage people in the work needed to tackle the impacts of climate change, and show that it is both necessary and possible to adapt. An interpretation board is currently in production, which will help to meet this aim. The plot at Jeskyns will be monitored by Forest Research to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the various species. The results will help to inform plans for planting new trees and woodlands across the public forest estate in England. There are several Forestry Commission research plots of this nature planted across the UK. Forestry Commission Wales is using one such plot as part of a new education programme to engage secondary school students in the importance of planning for the future in terms of species choices and species mixes. After visiting the plot, students work towards designing what they think a forest of the future will look like. 16 Case Study 3: Mitigation and adaptation at Bedgebury Scientists from Forest Research are exploring how temperature and other climatic changes are affecting the tree species that are able to grow at Bedgebury. Attempts are being made -5 -10 Mar Feb Jan -15 Dec Studying temperature variation at Bedgebury 0 Nov This is one of 10 wood fuel heating systems used at Forestry Commission sites designed to reduce carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. The woodchip boiler also helps to combat climate change by using wood waste from the site to fuel the boiler – thus reducing transport miles. in order to extend the range of species that Bedgebury can conserve. This detailed monitoring will also demonstrate how adaptation to climate change can be achieved simply by using topography and aspect within a site. 5 Oct In 2006 a new woodchip boiler was installed at Bedgebury, the national pinetum. Home-grown coppiced chestnut from Bedgebury forest is chipped and used as fuel for the new boiler which provides heating and hot water for the Visitor Centre. to grow trees from warmer regions that were unable to grow at Bedgebury 50 or even 10 years ago. Monitoring these trials helps to assess the impacts of climate change. Scientists are also looking at temperature variation within the pinetum to identify where to plant the most temperature sensitive species, Minimum temperature (oC) Wood fuel at Bedgebury Minimum monthly temperature in each section of Bedgebury Pinetum during October-March 2005 Graph showing temperature variation across site at Bedgebury. Each line shows the minimum monthly temperature of a different section of the pinetum. This demonstrates that we can adapt to climate change by simply choosing carefully where in a particular site to plant different species. Picture of Cannock Tree House Centre 17 Case Study 4: Mitigation – Using more wood in building Wooden buildings at Cannock, Dalby and Westonbirt Cannock Chase A brand new education building, the “Tree House Centre” was opened in Cannock Forest in 2008 funded by CEMEX. The building has two large classrooms, each of which can accommodate up to 60 students, covering 347m2 in total. The building is constructed entirely from FSC timber and supported by 64 oak posts, reducing the ground impact and the amount of concrete used. The building has a living sedum roof, and a rainwater harvesting system that collects water from the roof and uses it for toilet flushing, saving on mains water use. The building is heated by a wood pellet system and has a large overhanging roof structure to reduce overheating in summer. In addition because the building is constructed from wood, it is very well insulated–helping it to stay warm in winter and cool in summer. Passive solar heating is also achieved by extensive south facing windows. Dalby April 2007 saw the opening of a stateof-the-art visitor centre at Dalby Forest in the heart of the North York Moors. The striking £2.6m building has been constructed from natural materials and nestles into the wooded valley. It enhances the distinct character of the forest. The construction of the all-timber building uses new techniques that enhance quality while lessening the impact on the surrounding area. It is clad in locally-sourced timber shingles made from Yorkshire larch. Being made of wood, the building is naturally wellinsulated. It is powered by energy from photo-voltaic panels and a wind turbine. Heating is provided by a biomass boiler. Westonbirt The new craft barn at Westonbirt was built during a training course in traditional woodworking techniques and raised in one day in October 2008. The barn demonstrates the use of timber from our native woodlands and provides a shelter for courses and demonstrations in green woodworking. All the timber for the barn was harvested from the arboretum, including the oak and chestnut shingles for the roof. The oak for the frame itself came from mature woodland trees felled during Westonbirt’s programme of coppice restoration. The natural durability of oak means that the barn should be around for at least 500 years – long after a new generation of oaks have grown and been harvested to make another one! 18 Summary of Facts and Figures Worldwide Forests cover 30% of the world land area. Globally forests store nearly 1200 billion tonnes of carbon: 350 billion tonnes in vegetation (including the roots) and 800 billion tonnes below ground in the soil. This is more than the total amount of carbon in the form of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere (750 billion tonnes of carbon). Since the industrial revolution atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide have risen by 40%, and 270 billion tonnes of carbon have been released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide Worldwide 23 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide are added to the atmosphere annually through the burning of fossil fuels, and 6 billion tonnes are added from deforestation. Some of this is absorbed by the oceans and by vegetation, resulting in a net gain by the atmosphere of nearly 12 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. Deforestation currently accounts for 18% of global carbon dioxide emissions We can now expect a rise in temperature of 2°C above pre-industrial levels by 2100 even if we decrease our carbon dioxide emissions dramatically. If no action is taken, the rise in temperature could be as large as 7°C Europe Europe’s forests have increased in extent in the last century. They now cover 44% of the land area. The amount of carbon in European wood products is 769 billion tonnes Europe’s forests contain about 20 billion tonnes of carbon, equivalent to 74 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide. Soil is the largest carbon reservoir in the UK, storing about 6 billion tonnes of carbon. UK forests and woodlands remove about 4 million tonnes of carbon (equivalent to 14.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide) from the atmosphere each year. Total UK emissions of carbon dioxide are about 550 million tonnes per year Carbon dioxide contributed to over 85% of total greenhouse gas emissions in 2004 in the UK Nearly a third of energy consumption in the UK is used to heat buildings. In the UK Analysis of historic climate data confirms that the UK climate has recently been warming at a rate of between 0.1°C and 0.2°C per decade. Forests cover 12% of the land area in Britain, up from 5% at the beginning of the 20th Century. Winters in the UK are likely to become wetter (by up to 30%) and summers drier. UK forests and woodlands contain between 120-150 million tonnes of carbon. It is thought that there will be a sea level rise of between 1-10cm around the UK coast per decade over the next 100 years. Relative sea level will increase most in the south and east (where the land is already sinking) and increase by less in the north and west. The volume of wood supplied from Britain’s forests each year has more than doubled from 4 million cubic metres in the 1970s to nearly 9 million now. There is the potential to increase this to 15 million cubic metres by 2020. The thermal insulation of wood is: 15 times better than concrete 400 times better than steel 1770 times better than aluminium Research into the environmental impacts of building construction suggests that increasing the use of wood in place of other materials could cut greenhouse gas emissions by between 40% and 70% per building Wood fuel is a carbon lean source of energy. The Wood Fuel Strategy for England aims to bring an additional two million tonnes of wood onto the market annually by 2050. Fuel Approx life cycle CO2 emissions kg/MWh Coal 484 Around 85% of the wood products currently used in Britain are imported. Oil 350 Natural gas 270 In the UK 95% of our charcoal is imported. Large scale wood chip combustion 58 Large scale wood chip gassification 25 Wood chips (25% moisture content) 5.5-6.6 Wood pellets (10% moisture content) 20 In 2008, 43,119 real Christmas trees were sold at Forestry Commission sites in England – all from well managed woodland. In 2008 8,145 young Christmas trees were given away at Forestry Commission England’s santa’s grottoes. Wood One tonne of carbon is equivalent to 3.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide Each cubic metre of wood used in building instead of conventional materials saves about 2 tonnes of carbon dioxide: one tonne of carbon dioxide is stored as carbon in the wood, and one tonne of carbon dioxide is saved in manufacture Growing trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere on average at a rate of one tonne for every cubic metre of growth. However this varies depending on species, age and where in the world the trees are planted. Comparison of carbon dioxide emissions of different fuels over their life cycle The life cycle includes production, management and transport. In relation to wood fuels, emissions during combustion are assumed to be compensated for by the future growth of trees managed on a sustainable basis. 19 References and further information The Forestry Commission (www.forestry.gov.uk/climatechange) and Forest Research (www.forestresearch.gov.uk/climatechange) climate change web pages are a good starting point for finding out more information. Below are details of where the information for each topic came from, and some suggestions for finding out more. Sheet 2: Background Broadmeadow, M. & Matthews, R. (2003) Forests, carbon and climate change: the UK contribution. Forestry Commission Information Note 48. www.forestry.gov.uk/publications. The Strategy for England’s Trees, Woods and Forests (ETWF) and the ETWF Delivery Plan 2008-2012 can be found at www.forestry.gov.uk/etwf Forestry Commission England (2008) Leafing the Classroom: Strategy for Forestry Commission Estate Education and Learning Services 2008-2012. Forestry Commission (2007). Forests and Climate Change: A Convenient Truth. This can be downloaded from www.forestry.gov.uk. Sheet 3: What will climate change look like? Hulme (2002) The changing climate of the UK: now and in the future. In Broadmeadow, M. ed. Climate change: Impacts on UK forests. Forestry Commission Bulletin 125. Jenkins, G.J., Perry, M.C., & Prior, M.J. (2008). The climate of the United Kingdom and recent trends. Met Office Hadley Centre, Exeter, UK. www.ukcip.org.uk. The UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP) publish revised future climate scenarios every six years. See the latest scenarios on the UKCIP website: www.ukcip.org.uk. For more details on the science of climate change see the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report: www.ipcc.ch. Sheet 4: Implications for forestry Information on general impacts came from Broadmeadow and Matthews (2003) below. The reports listed here can be found on the Forestry Commission Publications website: www.forestry.gov.uk/publications. Sheet 5: Summary of the Forestry Commission role An information booklet entitled “Forest Research Climate Change Projects” can be downloaded from www.forestresearch.gov.uk/ climatechange. Broadmeadow, M. & Matthews, R. (2003) Forests, carbon and climate change: the UK contribution. Forestry Commission Information Note 48. Benham, S. (2008) The Environmental Change Network at Alice Holt Research Forest. Forestry Commission Research Note 001. www.forestry.gov.uk/publications. Broadmeadow, M. & Ray, D. (2005) Climate change and British woodland. Forestry Commission Information Note 69. Ray, D. (2008) Impacts of climate change on forestry in Wales. Forestry Commission Research Note 301. Ray, D. (2008) Impacts of climate change on forestry in Scotland – a synopsis of spatial modelling research. Forestry Commission Research Note 101. Information on pests and diseases came from the Forestry Commission and Forest Research websites, and from: Evans, H., Straw, N. and Watt, A. (2002) Climate change: Implications for insect pests. In Broadmeadow, M. ed. Climate change: Impacts on UK forests. Forestry Commission Bulletin 125. Brown, A. & Webber, J. (2008) Red band needle blight of conifers in Britain. Forestry Commission Research Note 002. Brasier, C. (1999) Phytophthora pathogens of trees: their rising profile in Europe. Forestry Commission Information Note 30. www.forestresearch.gov.uk. Broadmeadow, M. & Ray, D. (2005) Climate change and British woodland. Forestry Commission Information Note 69. www.forestry.gov.uk/publications. Sheet 6: Mitigation – planting more trees Information on the carbon budget of Kielder Forest came from: Grieg, S. (2008) A Carbon Account for Kielder Forest. Scottish Forestry 62(3). Sheet 7: Sustainable management and protection Information about sustainable management came from the Forestry Commission and Forest Research websites, as well as the BTCV website (www.btcv.org), which has a very good online guide to woodland management. Information on certification came from the Forestry Commission website and the Forest Stewardship Council website: www.fsc.org. Sheet 8: Mitigation - wood products The Wood for Good website is an excellent starting point for finding out more information about wood as a material and as a product. Wood for Good is the UK’s wood promotion campaign, and the Forestry Commission is one of the three main sponsors. Go to: www.woodforgood.com. Much of the information for this section came from the Wood for Good factsheets available on the website. Wood for Good are also involved in a pan-European project to communicate the role of wood products in mitigating climate change, and have produced a booklet with the Nordic Timber Council entitled “The role of wood in reducing climate change: a summary of the arguments”. Type this title into Google to download. Also interesting is: Journal of Forestry (2008) Chapter 3: Preventing greenhouse gas emissions through wood substitution. Type this title into Google to download. Sheet 9: Mititation - wood fuel The wood fuel pages of the Forestry Commission website (www.forestry.gov.uk/woodfuel) are a good general reference, and include “A Wood Fuel Strategy for England”. The Biomass Energy Centre website: www.biomassenergycentre.org.uk is also a very good reference point. The Forestry Commission England has produced a DVD called “Wood fuel: Energy that grows on trees” which can be downloaded from: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/ infd-7fzdbd. Forest Research have produced a “Wood Fuel Information Pack” which can be ordered from www.forestresearch.gov.uk/woodfuel. A useful leaflet is “Wood Fuel Meets the Challenge” (2006) – a Forest Research publication by Duncan Ireland, Jenny Claridge and Richard Pow. This can also be downloaded from www.forestresearch.gov.uk/woodfuel. Farming Futures Fact Sheet 19: Climate change: be part of the solution – focus on biomass for renewable energy. Download from: www.farmingfutures.org.uk. Sheets 10 and 11: Adaptation Information came from the Forestry Commission and Forest Research websites, and from Broadmeadow and Ray (2005) Climate change and British woodland. Forestry Commission Information Note 69. www.forestry.gov.uk/publications Broadmeadow, M. & Ray, D. (2005) Climate change and British woodland. Forestry Commission Information Note 69. Hubert, J. & Cottrell, J. (2007) The role of forest genetic resources in helping British forests respond to climate change. Forestry Commission Information Note 086. This report explains the science behind species choice and looks at some of the questions surrounding native species and climate change. www.forestry.gov.uk/publications. Defra (2008) Adapting to climate change in England: A framework for action. www.defra.gov.uk. RSPB (2008) Climate Change: Wildlife and Adaptation – 20 tough questions, 20 rough answers. www.rspb.org.uk. Sheet 17: Facts and Figures Facts on climate change in the UK came from Hulme (2002) (see sheet 3 references on previous page). Figures on wood product manufacture and insulative values came from www.woodforgood.com. Statistics on global carbon budgets are from the Forestry Commission website, and “Forests and Climate Change: A Convenient Truth” which can be downloaded from www.forestry.gov.uk. Facts on wood fuel came from “Wood Fuel Meets the Challenge” and the “Wood Fuel Information Pack” see references for sheet 9). The table of relative carbon dioxide emissions is from the Biomass Energy Centre website: www.biomassenergycentre.org.uk. 20 Definitions Greenhouse gas Any gas in the atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect. Greenhouse gases occur naturally within the Earth’s atmosphere, and the Earth would be uninhabitable without them. Common greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere include water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone. Adaptation Adaptation to climate change means changing the way that we do things to take account of the inevitable and unavoidable changes that have started and will continue to happen during the coming decades. Carbon footprint This term provides a measure of the impact certain activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced. Carbon neutral/carbon lean Wood fuel is often described as carbonneutral because the carbon dioxide that is produced by burning wood is absorbed by trees planted in place of those cut down. However, in reality wood fuel is carbon lean because a small amount of fossil fuel is required as part of the production process – e.g. to power machinery or in transport. Climate change Climate is how the atmosphere "behaves" over relatively long time periods. The term weather descirbes atmospheric conditions over a short time period. Climate change means changes in the long-term average of daily weather. Coppicing This is a traditional method of sustainable woodland management in which young tree stems are repeatedly cut down to near ground level. In subsequent growth years many new shoots emerge and after a number of years the coppiced tree or stool is ready to be harvested and the cycle starts again. Deforestation A change in land use from forested to non-forested land. Carbon Sink The term ‘sink’ is used to mean any process that removes a greenhouse gas from the atmosphere. A forest is a sink only while the carbon stock continues to increase. Carbon Store Wood products are a store of carbon, as they themselves do not capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but keep it locked up throughout their lifetime. Emissions/Emission scenarios The emissions referred to are greenhouse gas emissions. Climate change scenarios are produced by the UK Climate Impacts Programme every 6 years. These are based on various scenarios depending on whether greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, stay the same or increased. Go to the UKCIP website for more information: http://www.ukcip.org.uk/. Greenhouse effect This is the process by which greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere warm the Earth by absorbing some of the radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface and preventing it escaping back outside the Earth’s atmosphere. Life cycle analysis (LCA) An LCA is the investigation and valuation of the environmental impacts of a given product or service caused by its existence. Locking up carbon Forests are often referred to as “locking up carbon” because they absorb carbon in the form of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and store it in their wood, soils, roots, leaves and seeds. Mitigation The term mitigation refers to all activities aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and/or removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Offsetting Carbon offsetting describes the process of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by purchasing credits from others for products that seek to reduce emissions, emissions reductions projects e.g. tree planting, or carbon trading schemes. Phenology This is the study of periodic plant and animal life cycle events and how they are influenced by seasonal and interannual variations in climate. In a changing climate the timing of events such as bud-burst may be altered. Provenance Provenance refers to the source of the planting material in question. In this context for example, oak of French provenance might be better suited to a warmer climate than oak of English provenance. Resilient woodlands Refers to woodlands that are able to adapt to and withstand climate change. Sequestration This is the storage of carbon (usually captured from atmospheric carbon dioxide) in a solid material through biological or physical processes. Substitution Using one material in place of another, in this context using wood as a product instead of materials like concrete or steel. Sustainable woodland management Sustainable woodland management practices seek to balance the wide range of benefits that woodlands provide, including biodiversity, recreation and effects on the carbon cycle. Management takes the form of cyclical harvesting and growing – trees that are cut down are allowed to regenerate naturally, or more are planted in their place. Well-managed woodlands generally have higher carbon stocks than stands that are not harvested. Urban heat island An urban heat island is a built up area that is significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas. The main cause is modification of the land surface by urban development.