Assessment of the impact of electricity consumed in the cultivation of forest seedlings on climate change

Abstract

The cultivation of forest seedlings is an important part of reforestation and climate change mitigation, but intensive technology leads to a high demand for electricity. The article assesses the influence of forest plantations on climate change due to the use of electricity in technological processes, the most important factors of electricity consumption of which are microclimate support systems (heating), which account for more than half of the total consumption, and lighting systems. Emission factors (kg CO₂/kWh) are used for the assessment, depending on the structure of the sources of electricity generation. The results revealed that the largest amount of electricity is consumed in the process of maintaining the microclimate (heating). The process of growing forest seedlings, although intended for long-­term climate change mitigation, contributes to climate change in the short term, the estimated contribution of emissions due to electricity consumption is 14.7 t CO_2e per year.

Article in Lithuanian