| Summary: | Today, a lot of resources are put into researching technological solutions concerning “carbon neutral” displacement materials and products, with the common goal of mitigating the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The aim of this study was to find out whether a displacement of concrete to glulam beams, in the construction industry, could create substitution effects that reduces the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. To go about this, interviews were conducted with one producer of glulam beams, four construction companies and a non-profit foundation that funds research in fire prevention. Furthermore, sustainability declarations of glulam beams from three glulam beam producers, were analyzed. To compare carbon dioxide emissions in different scenarios, the interview results, as well as the sustainability declarations of the glulam beam producers, were compared and examined. Calculations of carbon dioxide sequestered in glulam beams and emitted from the concrete industry in Sweden were also regarded. The results showed that the possible substitution effects derived from a displacement of concrete to glulam beams, would have a small mitigating impact on the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. However, recent findings point out that the pay back period for harvested trees, is longer than assumed. Moreover, the concrete production is not decreasing, but increasing. In respect of Jevons’ paradox (which concludes that higher efficiency in production leads to more consumption, not less), the conclusion of this study, was that no substitution will mitigate enough CO2 in the atmosphere. Our approach to consumption is what must change.
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