What is the Kyoto Protocol?
The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in 2005 as part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to strengthen global awareness of climate change. It was created with the aim of getting 114 countries that signed it to try to halt global warming and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide. Increased use of wood could represent a major step toward achieving these goals, which is also recognized by European legislation.
The countries that adopted the international agreement contribute 61% of global emissions, with the first period (2008–2012) aimed at reducing emissions by 5%, and the second period (2013–2020) by 18% compared to 1990 levels.
What About European Legislation?
European legislation reflects the goals set by the Kyoto Protocol. EU countries and Iceland agreed to collectively achieve a 20% reduction in emissions. They have been quite successful in reducing emissions.
In 2016, the Paris Agreement on climate change was also signed, marking the first universal and legally binding global climate agreement, signed by 55 countries (the minimum number), covering 55% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
The Kyoto Protocol has common goals, but individual targets for each country depending on their capabilities. Developed countries, which have contributed the most to the current high levels of greenhouse gases due to industrial activities over the last 150 years, have legally binding targets, while developing countries do not.
Kyoto Protocol and Targets in Slovenia
In the first target period, Slovenia reduced emissions by 7.1%. In the second target period, Slovenia had a national target that emissions would not increase by more than 4% compared to 2005 levels. National targets set by the Kyoto Protocol are determined based on the economic development of countries (measured by GDP per capita), so they vary significantly between EU member states. More developed countries are required to reduce emissions, while less wealthy countries are allowed an increase in emissions, considering expected economic growth. Slovenia, for example, is allowed a 4% increase.
What Do the Kyoto Protocol and Increased Use of Wood Have in Common?
Countries that adopted the Kyoto Protocol set targets to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and European legislation, following EU policy initiatives, began to create procedures that encourage the increased use of wood as an alternative to steel and concrete.
A good example is France, which, as part of the Climate Law, is preparing a decree that will specify the conditions for using a minimum percentage of wood as a material in public buildings.
Therefore, increased use of wood is something that we should strive for. At Bauti, our love for the environment and raising awareness in others is always at the forefront of our minds.
Forestry’s Role:
The use of wood primarily as fuel and sustainable forestry also contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by increasing the amount of carbon stored from the atmosphere.
What Does European Legislation Aim to Achieve Through the Building Directive?
The European implementation of the Building Directive, dating back to 2002, refers to residential, non-residential, existing, and new buildings, with the increased use of wood being the main goal.
However, it seems that it will take some time before the majority recognizes the benefits of increased wood consumption for climate change, as the use of non-wood materials is still on the rise, often argued to be more beneficial for the environment than the use of wood.
We, of course, have a different opinion. Wooden houses and interiors are not only environmentally friendly but also visually appealing, warm, and soothing.
How Does the Use of Wood Help Slow Down Global Warming?
The use of wood plays a greater role in the fight against climate change than one might think. One cubic meter of wood absorbs one ton of carbon dioxide. Increased use of wood encourages the expansion of forests and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by replacing the intensive use of fossil fuels.
When assessing the impact of carbon dioxide in the use of different building materials, we must consider the energy consumed in the production of a particular material, the product’s ability to retain energy during its use in buildings, and, crucially, the final disposal and recycling of the materials.
Using Wood: Environmentally Friendly and Cost-Effective
Using wood for building houses or creating wooden products is environmentally friendly, as wood stores carbon that was originally in the trees. Carbon from the atmosphere remains in wooden products or houses, and later it is recycled into secondary materials or turned into energy. Using wood also replaces other, long-term environmentally harmful materials, so by choosing to live in a wooden house or use wooden products, we are also indirectly choosing to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
More and more individuals are choosing to live in wooden houses because it is also cost-effective. Wood is a better thermal insulator than concrete, and the use of wood in energy-efficient buildings is more cost-effective than using concrete blocks or bricks.
Is the Reuse of Wood Possible?
Of course! The reuse of wood is highly valued. Wooden beams are reused in new buildings, as are wooden panels and furniture, which are even repurposed into instruments, such as violins. Wood that has been treated for construction purposes is reused for garden shading, paving stones, or fences.
It’s Worth Considering Wooden Materials
The Kyoto and Paris agreements, which followed, are still not well known by many individuals, nor are the dire climate facts that led many countries to adopt them.
What can we do as individuals? We understand that using wood is worth considering. We’ve chosen wooden construction. Our clients choose to live in wooden houses. The common thread in both decisions is that they are responsible. With our decisions, we raise awareness in others and ensure that, day by day, we become a little bit more friendly to the nature and the world we live in.
