Life Cycle Carbon Costs of Fibreboard, Pulp and Bioenergy Produced from Improved Oil Camellia ( Camellia oleifera spp.) Forest Management Operations in China

Tongyu Yao, Jingsong Wang, Meifang Zhao (), Tao Xiong, Liang Lu and Yingying Xia
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Tongyu Yao: School of Ecology and Environment, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
Jingsong Wang: Guangxi Weidu State Forest Farm, Laibin 546100, China
Meifang Zhao: School of Ecology and Environment, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
Tao Xiong: School of Ecology and Environment, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
Liang Lu: Guangxi Weidu State Forest Farm, Laibin 546100, China
Yingying Xia: Guangxi Forestry Research Institute, Nanning 530002, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 16, 1-30

Abstract: Oil camellia ( Camellia oleifera ) residues from low-yield forests offer significant potential for carbon emission reductions across multiple product pathways—fibreboard, pulp, and bioelectricity. Life cycle assessments (LCAs) were conducted for these three products, revealing distinct carbon footprints driven by energy use, chemical inputs, and combustion processes. Fibreboard production showed a carbon footprint of 244.314 kg CO 2 e/m 3 , primarily due to diesel use and electricity consumption. Pulp production exhibited the highest carbon intensity at 481.626 kg CO 2 e/t, largely driven by chemical consumption and fossil fuels. Bioelectricity, with the lowest carbon footprint of 41.750 g CO 2 e/kWh, demonstrated sensitivity to transportation logistics and fuel types. Substitution and scenario analysis showed that emission reductions can be achieved by optimizing energy structure, substituting high-carbon chemicals, and improving transportation efficiency. The findings highlight the substantial reduction potential when oil camellia residues replace conventional feedstocks in these industries, contributing to the development of low-carbon strategies within the bioeconomy. These results also inform the design of targeted mitigation policies, enhancing carbon accounting frameworks and aligning with China’s dual-carbon goals.

Keywords: oil camellia; low-yield forest; utilization of transformation residues; life cycle assessment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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