Mass timber sustainability benefit?

• A. Mass timber cannot be used in tall buildings.
• B. Mass timber requires more material to achieve same strength.
• C. Mass timber stores carbon, helping to reduce overall emissions.
• D. Mass timber has higher maintenance requirements than steel.

Answer: (C)

Mass timber stores carbon, helping to reduce overall emissions. Trees absorb CO2 as they grow, and that carbon remains locked in the wood fibers for the life of the building. Using mass timber therefore acts as a form of carbon storage, lowering the structure’s embodied carbon compared with materials like concrete or steel that require energy-intensive production. This direct climate-related benefit stands out among the choices. The other statements aren’t as accurate: mass timber can be used in tall buildings, it doesn’t inherently require more material to achieve the same strength, and maintenance needs aren’t universally higher than steel—these factors depend on design and environment, not the fundamental sustainability advantage.