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Sustainability
While growing, the forest absorbs carbon dioxide (CO2), which is harmful to the climate, and thus makes an essential contribution to climate protection. When one builds with wood, the carbon dioxide stays absorbed on a long-term basis and does not pollute the atmosphere. Beyond that, very little energy is required for the production of timber and derived timber products. Since wood and derived timber products can be well-nigh completely reused, no large amounts of waste are created that might have to be stored at a waste dump. That also respects our environment.
The Austrian forest
The Austrian forest has absorbed approx. 800 million tons of carbon (C). That is 40 times the amount of greenhouse gases produced in the country in a year. The more wood, the bigger the reservoir of carbon. The forest in Austria grows on 4 million hectares, equaling 47% of the country’s total area. Around one billion solid cubic meters (1 solid cubic meter equals around 1m3) of standing wood are available for use in our forests. In this regard, Austria is among the leading countries in Europe; with regard to the standing wood per hectare of forest area, it even has the leading position in comparison to the main European producers and markets. About 31 million cubic meters grow again per year. Only two-thirds of that are presently harvested. The forest is the production location for wood as a raw material and makes for clean water, generates fresh air; it produces oxygen and thus a balanced climate. Beyond that, the forest provides a living space for numerous plants and animals. The forest is an important water reservoir and produces high-quality drinking water through the filtering effect of the forest soil. The forest filters dust and pollutants from the air and rain and protects against erosion, flood waters and avalanches.
