Redirecting and cascading EU27+UK wood flows to maximise carbon storage potential in Europe

Maximizing the carbon storage potential of wood – Redirecting and cascading EU27+UK wood flows is a report developed by Metabolic Institute and Stichting Probos for Built by Nature. It is an analysis of how wood and the carbon contained therein – flows through applications and value chains across Europe. This study offers a practical foundation grounded in solid data toward maximisation of wood use, high-quality timber applications, and a circular bio-based economy.

Why this matters

This study comes at a crucial time for the future of European wood value chains as emerging EU policy frameworks are starting to recognise carbon stored in long-lived products, as well as the importance of circular use of wood resources. It provides the first system-wide mapping of how wood flows through EU27+UK value chains, revealing where carbon is stored, where it is lost, and where major opportunities exist to redirect material into long‑lived, climate‑positive applications.

What’s Inside This Guide

EU27+UK wood flow mapping: A comprehensive material flow analysis (MFA) showing how wood moves from forests through industrial processing and end‑use sectors, highlighting where carbon is stored, lost, or underutilised.
Demolition and renovation wood flows: An assessment of the wood currently embedded in Europe’s building stock and the volumes released annually through demolition and renovation, identifying where circular recovery pathways are feasible but currently overlooked.
Industry strategies for cascading use: Five strategies – ranging from shifting allocation towards long‑lived products to improving processing efficiency and expanding reuse – that demonstrate how to maximise long-term carbon storage without increasing harvesting levels.
Forest sector outlook and climate adaptation: Evidence on climate‑related risks to Europe’s forests, the future availability of wood, and how species mixes are expected to shift, framing what the construction sector must prepare for.
Modeled climate impact to 2050: Scenario analysis showing the potential carbon storage outcomes of moderate and ambitious intervention pathways, quantifying how cascading, circularity, and policy reform influence long-term climate performance.