Rayonier Sustainability Report: Carbon Storage in Forest Products

Rhea-AI Summary

Rayonier's latest sustainability report highlights the carbon storage benefits of their forest products. The report elucidates how the company's harvesting practices result in significant carbon sequestration even after the trees are harvested. The 2022 harvest volumes and their long-term storage benefits are analyzed, showing that carbon remains stored in end-use products like lumber and plywood for many decades.

Rayonier's approach of harvesting and replanting trees enhances carbon sequestration compared to natural growth. The report includes a 100-year comparison of two scenarios: one with unmanaged, unharvested trees and another with multiple rotations of managed, harvested trees. The latter shows a higher level of carbon storage due to products made from harvested timber.

For detailed information, the full sustainability report is available on Rayonier's website.

Positive

• Rayonier's forestry practices result in long-term carbon storage, enhancing sustainability efforts.
• The 2022 harvest analysis shows that carbon remains stored for decades in end-use products like lumber and plywood.
• Rayonier's managed harvesting and replanting practices sequester more carbon than natural tree growth.
• The report demonstrates the effectiveness of Rayonier's multi-rotation forestry approach in increasing carbon storage.

Negative

• The report does not account for the incremental benefits of successive rotation cycles beyond 2022.
• The long-term carbon storage benefits are based on estimates and may not reflect real-world scenarios accurately.
• The analysis compares only two scenarios, potentially overlooking other sustainable forest management practices.

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / May 31, 2024 / Rayonier

Originally published on Rayonier.com

When we harvest our trees, we remove a portion of the carbon contained in our forests. After our trees are harvested, we then replant our forests and start the process of growing trees and sequestering carbon all over again.

The carbon storage benefits of Rayonier's forests continue even after trees are harvested, as carbon can remain stored for many decades within the end-use forest products made from such trees, including lumber, plywood, and engineered wood products.

As part of our carbon footprint analysis, we have estimated our 2022 harvest volumes by product and destination, as well as the resulting long-term storage benefits by category. The above chart illustrates the life cycle of carbon that remains stored in end-use forest products after the timber has left our forests based on the estimated half-life of the carbon stored in the various products made from our timber. This analysis is based on 2022 harvest activity and does not reflect the incremental benefit of successive rotation cycles. For more information on carbon storage over multiple rotation cycles, see our Carbon Report.

In the softwood timber-growing regions where we operate, the sustainable practice of harvesting and replanting trees results in a higher level of carbon sequestration versus simply letting the trees grow naturally-primarily due to the storage of carbon in end-use forest products.

The above graph compares two alternative scenarios of carbon storage in our forests and harvested wood products over a 100-year timeframe. One scenario assumes we plant, do not manage intensively, and do not harvest. The other scenario assumes multiple rotations-whereby we plant, manage intensively, and harvest every 25 years for loblolly and slash pine in the U.S. South.

Click here to learn more about Rayonier's sustainability efforts and explore the full report.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Rayonier on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:
Spokesperson: Rayonier
Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/rayonierEmail: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Rayonier

View the original press release on accesswire.com

FAQ

What are the carbon storage benefits of Rayonier's forest products?

Rayonier's forest products, such as lumber and plywood, store carbon for many decades, contributing to long-term carbon sequestration.

How does Rayonier's harvesting practice affect carbon sequestration?

Rayonier's practice of harvesting and replanting trees results in higher carbon sequestration compared to letting trees grow naturally.

What does Rayonier's 2022 harvest analysis reveal?

The 2022 harvest analysis shows the long-term carbon storage benefits of Rayonier's forest products, with carbon remaining stored for decades in end-use products.

How does Rayonier's multi-rotation approach impact carbon storage?

Rayonier's multi-rotation approach of managing and harvesting trees every 25 years leads to higher carbon storage in end-use forest products.

Where can I find more information on Rayonier's sustainability efforts?

More information on Rayonier's sustainability efforts can be found in their full sustainability report available on their website.