Burning wood seems "carbon neutral", because only previously stored carbon is being emitted. However, this is not true for multiple reasons. 1. Continuing to rely on outdated energy infrastructure that is used for burning wood is hindering the transition to truly renewable energy sources. 2. Burning wood emits other toxic chemicals additional to CO2. 3. The carbon emitted when burning wood takes decades to be reabsorbed by the newly growing trees, time we don't have. We need to drastically cut short term emissions. Burning wood increases the short term emissions by only being "carbon neutral" in the long run. 4. The transport and logging of the wood emits CO2 that is not accounted for.

We will use wood that is not used for building houses or furniture. One third of all annually harvested wood in Germany (23 Mio. cubic meters) is burned directly. This is the kind of wood we are going for.

Wood has a very low nutrient content. Most nutrients are stored in the roots and leaves. That’s what makes wood the perfect biomass for storing carbon.

Wood is a renewable material that stores carbon very efficiently and is easy to handle. Global forests have huge photosynthesis potential that can be utilized by our method. Wood also doesn’t decompose anaerobically, because the bacteria are not able to digest lignin fast enough to have an impact.

Wood can still be found in ancient archeological sites in best condition after thousands of years. By storing the wood under ideal anaerobic conditions, with certified, scientifically proven materials, Carbonsate can store the carbon contained in the wood for over 1100 years.

Credits from direct air capture and wood storage both guarantee permanent, secure and accurate carbon storage. Direct air capture is, however, to date much more expensive and requires large amounts of energy. This makes operation in most countries so far not CO2 and cost effective. Credits from Carbonsate also benefit the local economy as well as supporting sustainable forest development and creating local biodiversity. The storage is very transparent, the sites can be viewed and sensors give information about the condition in real time.

The wood we use can ́t be used for building houses or would be used for burning instead. A lot of wood occurs in areas with not enough building wood demand and is burned instead, because sellers need to get rid of it. We offer the forest owners an alternative sustainable revenue option by storing this wood permanently. Insects, drought and heat has made much wood unsuitable for construction and we will find an alternative use for it.

Anaerobic conditions, e.g. no contact to air, is limiting the decay of wood, because the bacteria, insects and fungi decomposing wood require air to breath. Without air, only some bacteria can anaerobically decompose biomass. However, the lignin in wood cannot be digested by them and prevents the decomposition.