Switzerland’s Untapped Wood Potential: Researchers Reveal Path to Sustainable Usage

Switzerland’s Untapped Wood Potential: Researchers Reveal Path to Sustainable Usage

(IN BRIEF) Researchers from Empa and WSL have revealed significant opportunities to better utilize Switzerland’s wood resources, a key material for achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Their study, part of the SCENE initiative, analyzed 2020 data and found that 40% of harvested wood is burned for energy, while recycling rates remain low at 8%. The team advocates for a “cascading use” approach, where wood is first used for high-value products like construction materials, then reused or repurposed before eventually being burned for energy. This strategy maximizes wood’s carbon storage potential and supports climate goals.

(PRESS RELEASE) DÜBENDORF, 17-Dec-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Wood, a renewable and climate-friendly resource, holds immense promise for a net-zero future. However, researchers from Empa and WSL have revealed that Switzerland still has significant untapped potential in the sustainable use of this versatile material. Through a detailed analysis of wood material flows, the study sheds light on how the country can better harness this resource to align with its ambitious 2050 climate neutrality goal.

The study, published in the Journal of Industrial Ecology as part of the SCENE initiative, draws on extensive data from 21 sources, covering the year 2020. Unlike similar studies abroad that rely heavily on modeling, the Empa team used real-world data across the entire wood life cycle—from timber harvest, imports, and processing to recycling and disposal. Lead author Nadia Malinverno from Empa’s Technology and Society lab emphasized the reliability of the Swiss data, crediting collaboration with WSL and the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) for the detailed picture.

A striking finding of the study is that nearly 40% of Switzerland’s harvested wood—around five to seven million cubic meters annually—is burned for energy, while the recycling rate remains low at just 8%. According to researchers, this approach undermines wood’s long-term carbon storage potential. Claudia Som, co-author and Empa researcher, explained: “To maximize wood’s climate benefits, it should remain in the technosphere as a material for as long as possible before being used as fuel.”

The study advocates for a “cascading use” of wood, where harvested timber is first transformed into high-value products like beams and boards for construction. These materials would then be reused and repurposed repeatedly until further processing—such as turning them into wood chips or engineered materials—becomes necessary. Combustion for energy would serve as the final step, ensuring the material’s full life cycle is utilized.

This cascading model, the researchers argue, offers a clear path toward sustainable wood management that aligns ecological benefits with economic viability. As part of the SCENE initiative, the team will investigate specific material flows over the coming years to identify optimal strategies for wood utilization—from its form and treatment to alternative uses across various industries.

SCENE, a collaborative effort of the six ETH Domain institutions, focuses on research to help Switzerland achieve its net-zero emissions goal by 2050. This latest study highlights wood’s critical role in reducing carbon emissions, improving recycling rates, and promoting climate-friendly solutions for construction and other industries.

Media Contacts:

Nadia Malinverno
Technology and Society
Phone +41 58 765 73 24
nadia.malinverno@empa.ch

Claudia Som
Technology and Society
Phone +41 58 765 78 43
claudia.som@empa.ch

Anna Ettlin
Communications
Phone +41 58 765 47 33
redaktion@empa.ch

SOURCE: EMPA