■ Reducing energy consumption in transportation (Woodmileage CO2)
Once Woodmileage and information of transportation form is available, energy consumption in transportation can be roughly calculated. We call this energy consumed in transportation “Woodmileage CO2”, expressed in terms of the amount of CO2 emitted, and use this as an index of energy consumption in transportation.
Woodmileage CO2 of a House (Reduction of CO2 Emissions)
The Woodmiles Forum (2006) “Woodmiles Research Note 13“etc
For example, building a 132.24m3 standard house even shows clear different figures of the amount of CO2 emission depending on the kind of timber used---local timber house ( all timber is local, within the range of 150km from the place of harvest to the construction site), domestic timber house (average distance of domestic transportation), general timber house ( average distance of domestic and international transportation), and European timber house ( all European).
To compare local timber houses with European timber houses, there is a difference of 6.606kg of CO2 emission, equivalent to 2,872 litters of gas, or 2,642 litters of kerosene to make the comparison more clearly. To put it differently, building a local timber house emits 6,606kg of CO2 less than building a European timber house, saving 2,872 litters of gas or 2,642 litters of kerosene---contributing to preventing global warming in a sense. Compared with the entire amount of CO2 emission of a house from the construction to the end (life cycle CO2), the amount might be little. But considering it is as much as 50 litters of gas charge twice a month for 5years, or as 4 18 litter thankful of kerosene a month in wintertime for 6years like we consume in everyday life, it is not so little an amount.
As we see in the above, to show how little CO2 emission is as long as timber transportation is short is the Woodmileage CO2.
To add some estimations, if all the wooden houses in Japan were local timber houses, the total saving of CO2 emission in transportation would be 1 million tons per year.
Woodmileage CO2 of All The Wooden Houses in Japan (Reduction of CO2 Emissions)
The Woodmiles Forum (2006) “Woodmiles Research Note 13“etc
|
Background of Woodmiles
Global environment issues and timber 
