THE CO2 BALANCE - HOW IS IT AFFECTED BY THE GERMAN PULP AND PAPER-INDUSTRY

Finally the important results of our CO2 balancing for the life cycle of a typical West German paper are summarized below: a distinction mus t be drawn between CO2 from fossil energy sources and CO2 from renewab le biomass in the form of wood and starch CO2 emissions from the renew able biomass wood do not contribute to the anthropogenic greenhouse ef fect because they will be required for new wood growth. However, this implies a sustainable forest economy also in pulp exporting countries of the greenhouse-active, energy-dependent CO2 emissions in the life c ycle of paper in Germany pulp and paper production contributes about 8 5%. Transport-dependent CO2 emissions constitute barely 15% recovered paper recycling provides a CO2 sink from renewable biomass, and with t he present discussion of the sustainability of the forest economy in s everal countries in mind, should be further increased the thermal util ization for energy production of wastepaper no longer of value for pap ermaking, leads to a reduction of CO2 emissions from fossil fuels. Thi s fact should be made clear to the public and to lawmakers