Life cycle assessment is the scientific measure of the environmental impact of a product throughout its life – from resource extraction through manufacturing, distribution, use, and end-of-life disposal.
By comparing building and construction materials and methods, life cycle assessment studies have shown that using wood instead of energy-intensive materials such as steel, concrete or plastics significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and will help decrease our society’s reliance on fossil fuels.
Life cycle assessment removes the guesswork by calculating actual outcomes based on quantifiable indicators of environmental impact. Numerous life cycle assessment studies conducted worldwide have indicated that wood products yield clear environmental advantages over other building materials at every stage.
