The Log Pile Website > Sustainability > Renewable Energy

Wood as a Source of Renewable Energy

The wood should come from a sustainable source The wood should be burned in a clean and efficient appliance and The wood should be used close to source i.e. not transported over long distance

When wood is burned in the presence of oxygen it produces carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is one of the main greenhouse gases responsible for climate change. However, the amount of carbon dioxide released is no greater than the amount absorbed by the tree when it is growing, providing that the above rules are followed. For a simple illustration of how the carbon cycle works see below.

Even allowing for emissions of CO2 in planting, harvesting, processing and transporting the fuel, replacing fossil fuel energy with wood will typically reduce net CO2 emissions by over 90%.

Log Pile is a project from the National Energy Foundation which was supported by DEFRA.