CCCM partnered with CHAR Technologies to explore the viability of wood-based alternatives to coal for industrial decarbonization. The study assessed carbon storage potential, greenhouse gas emissions, and public perceptions of using forest biomass as a sustainable fuel. CCCM conducted research aggregation, stakeholder outreach, and environmental impact assessments, providing CHAR with valuable insights into maximizing carbon sequestration and addressing public concerns about deforestation and biodiversity.
The Challenge
Currently, many industrial processes rely on coal as a feedstock and fuel,
which is incredibly emissions-intensive and has tremendous public health
implications. Ontario’s access to vast forest land as well as forest-based
economy make it an ideal location for businesses seeking to use
wood-based products that reduce the greenhouse gas emission from
industrial processes.
The use of Ontario wood from well managed forest lands presents a
possible opportunity to reduce the use of fossil fuels, support forest
management, and provide employment opportunities.
However, a balance needs to be struck between wood use for emission
reductions and other healthy forest management needs. There are a
variety of factors that impact the ability of wood to store carbon that can
make it difficult to accurately calculate emissions from using wood
products as an alternative feedstock and fuel. This makes understanding
the overall environmental impact of wood use difficult to calculate. The
use of wood as a climate change strategy also comes with increased
public concerns around deforestation, biodiversity and habitat loss.
CHAR Technologies was interested in learning about two main areas
related to their business: public perceptions of wood use and how to
maximize and quantify carbon stored in wood. The CCCM worked with
CHAR to identify the information they needed to adequately address
and communicate on potential public concerns and provide information
that helped to understand the role carbon storage through wood impacts
their carbon footprint.
The Objectives
- Provide local information and variables related to carbon storage rates
within wood from forest operations. - Summarize the public perceptions and expected concerns the public
may have over the use of forest wood. - Compare greenhouse gas emissions of their coal alternative to
emissions from coal.
Services provided by the CCCM
- Project management.
- Aggregation of available research on public perceptions.
- Stakeholder identification and outreach.
- Comprehensive report and suggestions for next steps.
Impacts
- Improved proactive knowledge for stakeholders regarding public
perceptions and how to address them. - More granular understanding of environmental impacts of
technology. - Company able to address how to maximize carbon sequestration
and work with current Ontario sustainable forest management
legislation to improve forest health
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