Embodied Energy
Embodied energy measures the total energy used to transform raw material into ready to use building products. It is expressed in gigjoules per tonne (Gj/t) or megajoules per kilogram (Mj/kg).
Embodied energy content varies enormously between products and materials however, timber, either softwood or hardwood, requires the lowest production energy of any major building material.
The table above illustrates the amount of fossil fuel used to produce rough sawn timber, steel, concrete and aluminium.
Timber also stores atmospheric carbon therefore the enviornmental benefits of using timber as a greenhouse sink are considerable.
The following table illustrates the amount of carbon released from rough sawn timber, steel, concrete and aluminium.
For more information on embodied energy please refer to the Forest and Wood Products Research and Development Corporation report.
Download: Forests, Wood and Australia's Carbon Balance (PDF)