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

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 CO2e/m3, primarily due to diesel use and electricity consumption. Pulp production exhibited the highest carbon intensity at 481.626 kg CO2e/t, largely driven by chemical consumption and fossil fuels. Bioelectricity, with the lowest carbon footprint of 41.750 g CO2e/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.