Sustainable timber.
Responsible by requirement.

Radiata pine plantations serve as valuable "carbon sinks" as trees store carbon. Approximately 50% of the wood's dry matter consists of carbon, predominantly cellulose (around 65%) and lignin (around 30%). Depending on the growth rate and wood density, a hectare of pine trees can sequester four to seven tonnes of elemental carbon annually, which is equivalent to absorbing 15–26 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. A forest spanning 1,000 hectares has the potential to absorb 15,000–26,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.²

Wood products derived from New Zealand's logs contribute to delaying the release of carbon that was previously sequestered by the trees, often for decades. In the case of long-lasting wood products, carbon is gradually released as the product naturally decays. This "delayed emission" plays a role in achieving our climate change targets. In 2019, the carbon stored in wood products contributed approximately 9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2-e).³

New Zealand's forestry industry is largely based around sustainably managed plantation forests, with Radiata Pine making up about 90% of the plantation estate. This provides a renewable production-forest resource for timber and wood products.⁴

In an era where the global shift from fossil fuels to a sustainable, bio-based economy is underway, the significance of forestry as a primary provider of renewable and sustainable resources for New Zealand will only grow. Global demand for sustainable wood fibre is expected to quadruple by 2050 as countries seek to use wood and woody biomass to decarbonise their economies.³

The role forest products play in our society and economy will gain even greater importance.