Greenhouse Gas Emissions During Intermodal Transport of Timber Exported From the Brazilian Amazon: A Case Study

Approximately 92% of timber from the Brazilian Amazon is consumed domestically, mostly for use in construction. The main destination for this wood is the Southeast and South regions of the country, relying heavily on road transport, which is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. This study simulated carbon dioxide emissions associated with intramodal transport of this timber from forest management units to sawmills, ports, and international consumer markets, comparing values for transporting raw wood versus processed lumber to be used in long-lasting applications that serve as carbon reservoirs. Carbon stocks in the harvested wood were also calculated to estimate the balance of emissions sequestered during growth and pollution resulting from wood transport. A total of 7,388.57 t of CO₂ were generated during shipping, which included road (4,672.64 t), river (111.25 t), and maritime (2,604.68 t) routes covering over 48,000 km. In contrast, a total of 37,268.9 t CO₂ was sequestered and stored in the wood. We determined that transport emissions represented 19.81% of the stored carbon, indicating a significant mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions.