VIDAs Carbon Footprint
VIDA makes a difference! – a big difference in the emission and fixing of atmospheric Carbon
VIDA HELPS TO REDUCE ATMOSPHERIC CARBON DIOXIDE - CO2
VIDA AB, a prominent member of the environmentally conscious Swedish Sawmilling Industry, leaves a negative carbon footprint. Just how positive is that? We calculate that we create a net uptake of carbon and our figures are independently verified. (Our figures are based upon net ecosystem production). Simply put, our growing trees take up more carbon dioxide than our processes release. Throughout Sweden, the source of our timber supplies, five trees are planted for every one that is felled. Even if we calculate this as each felled tree being replaced by only one young sapling that grows to reach its full maturity, then we still leave a negative carbon footprint and remember FIVE are planted. Our logging, production and distribution emit less carbon dioxide than is bound by these growing trees and further; every cubic metre of wood that replaces other construction materials, like steel, reduces carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere by about 1.1 tonnes.
VIDA – MAKING THE DIFFERENCES EVEN BIGGER!
Our transport policy: We are increasingly using trains to move both our raw materials and finished goods. At present, around 25 % of VIDA’s total transport is by rail. For each transported cubic metre, transporting by rail instead of by road a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by 3/4 is achieved. We are also reintroducing organic material to the forests as compostable natural fertilizer and we are developing our own energy company; VIDA Energi. This company handles all organic residues from our timber processing and produces emission-neutral energy from this bio-fuel. Besides heating our production plants, this energy is also used to heat many homes in our local area.
OUR FOOTPRINT DETAILS ARE NO SECRET
The entire VIDA group’s carbon dioxide calculations are available on this website and independently verified by Swedish Government backed agency and a respected Swedish academic institution. You will also be able to read about both the current and any new initiatives that are systematically further reducing our carbon footprint.