Estimation of Carbon Footprints

The primary objective of this project was to conduct a literature search with respect to carbon footprints for major fiber and energy inputs in pulp and paper manufacturing. Transport related carbon footprints were also to be examined as part of the development of carbon footprints for the fiber and energy inputs. The intent was to summarize existing knowledge about these carbon footprints rather than conducting original research. This research project was expected to help pulp and papers producers and others in the industry understand the size of the footprint and possible trade-offs that could help producers in evaluating their past, present, and future production and supply chain decisions. For purposes of this project, carbon footprints associated with the procurement of fiber and energy inputs were defined to include extraction, processing, and delivery to the gate of a manufacturing facility. The results indicate that while some useful carbon footprint estimates are available for energy and transportation inputs, carbon footprints of specific fiber inputs are largely unknown. Some estimates are available for roader fiber input categories and could possibly be used in comparing the carbon efficiency of wood, non-wood, and recycled fiber inputs. While potentially useful carbon footprint statistics can be collected from various sources, it is difficult to reliably use these statistics in assessing carbon footprints of pulp and paper production inputs because the corresponding calculations are based on different assumptions, standards, and production processes. The gap in the existing knowledge calls for further research to complete the inventory of the pulp and paper industry’s carbon footprint. It will require field data (some of which may be readily available) or new field experiments to document the carbon footprints of fiber and energy inputs in pulp and paper manufacturing.