The design of a carbon footprint calculator for use by companies throughout the timber supply chain is the aim of a new research project.
Sustainability consultancy Best Foot Forward is partnering with TRADA and the Sylva Foundation on the project for the Forestry Commission.
The project is borne out of a long-standing need to have an accurate way of measuring carbon production as a means of comparing with other non-wood products.
It will focus on identifying the best methodology for assessing the impact of greenhouse gas emissions across the wood supply chain, from forestry activities through to end products.
“We also want to produce a customisable footprint calculator tool that is practical and easy to use for each organisation in the supply chain, and which offers data compatibility between supplier and customer at each stage,” said TRADA’s Dr Andrew Pitman.
The Sylva Foundation said the work represented an important step in promoting sustainably-produced and close-to-source timber.
