Climate change is the defining challenge of our time. With greenhouse gas emissions reaching all-time highs and global temperatures rising faster than predicted
The Climate Crisis and Our Role
Among the major contributors to CO₂ emissions is the built environment—everything we pave, construct, and design in our cities and communities.
Construction materials like concrete and asphalt are resource-intensive, and their manufacturing processes emit significant amounts of carbon dioxide. Yet, most conversations about carbon reduction focus on transportation and energy production, leaving the role of materials under-addressed.
This is where Proflow Permeable Pavers™ steps in. At first glance, we’re a company that makes beautiful, durable outdoor wood pavers. But look deeper, and you’ll discover our materials—primarily sustainably sourced wood—are a quiet revolution in climate action. Our products don’t just avoid emissions; they actively help capture and store carbon, supporting both carbon sequestration and decarbonization.
Let’s dive into what these terms mean, why they matter, and how every ProFlow paver contributes to a healthier planet.
Understanding Carbon Sequestration
Carbon sequestration is the process by which carbon dioxide (CO₂) is removed from the atmosphere and stored in solid or liquid form. There are two primary types:
- Biological Sequestration: This includes the natural capture and storage of carbon by plants, soils, oceans, and trees.
- Geological Sequestration: This involves storing carbon underground, often as part of industrial carbon capture and storage (CCS) systems.
At ProFlow Permeable Pavers™, we focus on biological sequestration through wood. Trees absorb CO₂ as they grow, converting it into cellulose and storing it in their trunks, roots, and leaves. This carbon remains locked away even after the tree is harvested—so long as the wood is used in long-lasting products and not burned or allowed to decay prematurely.
Every wooden paver we produce is a tiny carbon vault, helping to keep atmospheric carbon out of the climate system. Unlike concrete, which emits CO₂ during production, our pavers are made with carbon-neutral or even carbon-negative processes when paired with responsible forestry and energy-efficient manufacturing.
Why Wood Matters – The Science Behind the Solution
Let’s talk numbers. A single cubic meter of wood stores around 1 metric ton of CO₂ equivalent. That’s the same amount emitted by a car driving roughly 4,500 km. So if a park pathway, bike lane, or equestrian stable uses several cubic meters of our wood pavers, it’s not just beautiful—it’s a functional carbon sink.
But not all wood is equal in environmental impact. That’s why we:
- Source from certified sustainable forests: Each harvested tree is part of a well-managed cycle where regrowth outpaces removal.
- Work with partners focused on biodiversity and reforestation: We support planting new trees for every product made—turning our supply chain into a living carbon sponge.
Moreover, wood’s ability to store carbon long-term makes it vastly superior to materials that only reduce emissions during production. It’s about removing carbon from the equation entirely, not just reducing what's added.
5 Facts About Carbon-Storing Wood
- Wood Stores Carbon for Decades: A tree absorbs carbon throughout its lifespan. When used in products like pavers, that carbon is locked away for the life of the material.
- A Single Tree Can Store 1 Metric Ton of CO₂: Every cubic meter of wood stores approximately 1 metric ton of CO₂, equivalent to a car driving 4,500 km.
- Wood Pavers Are Carbon-Negative: Unlike concrete or asphalt, the carbon dioxide absorbed during the tree’s growth is stored in the wood even after it is harvested and used in pavers.
- Sustainably Harvested Wood Supports Regeneration: For every tree used, we plant more, ensuring a positive carbon balance and promoting biodiversity.
- Wood Improves Soil and Ecosystems: When used in permeable pavers, wood helps with water infiltration, reducing erosion, and supporting soil health.
Decarbonization Through Design
Decarbonization is the process of reducing and eventually eliminating carbon emissions from the economy. Most industries—transport, energy, agriculture—are tackling it head-on. Construction must do the same.
Our pavers are designed with climate-forward architecture in mind:
- Permeable surfaces reduce the urban heat island effect by allowing water to pass through and cool the surface.
- Water infiltration supports soil health and carbon-rich microbial life underground.
- Modular designs mean easy repairs and long-term use, cutting replacement emissions.
- Low-energy manufacturing and local supply chains shrink the carbon footprint.
By choosing wood over cement, we cut carbon emissions by up to 80% per square meter of paved surface. Multiply that over streets, stables, courtyards, or parks—and the climate benefits become massive.
Benefits of Permeable Pavers for Urban Environments
- Cooler Cities: Permeable pavers help reduce the urban heat island effect by allowing water to pass through and cool the surface.
- Enhanced Water Management: These pavers absorb and filter rainwater, reducing runoff, preventing flooding, and replenishing groundwater supplies.
- Healthier Soil: By letting rainwater filter into the soil, permeable pavers help maintain soil moisture levels, promoting plant growth and maintaining healthy ecosystems.
- Lower Carbon Footprint: Choosing permeable wood pavers significantly reduces the carbon footprint of construction projects.
Our Commitment to Regeneration
At ProFlow Permeable Pavers, we go beyond sustainability—we believe in regeneration. While sustainability means maintaining balance, regeneration is about restoring what’s been lost and giving more back to nature than we take.
That’s why we:
- Support reforestation projects: With every project, we help plant trees to replace—and exceed—the wood we use.
- Partner with local communities and nonprofits to create green jobs, especially in areas affected by war or economic hardship.
- Empower people in underserved communities by involving them in our production processes—turning paver-making into an engine for social as well as environmental change.
Imagine rest areas made with carbon-sequestering wood, shaded by newly planted trees, providing spaces for people to gather and relax. This is what it means to pave with purpose.
The Lifecycle of Carbon in Wood Pavers
From Tree to Paver: A Carbon Story
- Step 1: Tree Growth
- Carbon absorbed by the tree from the atmosphere during its growth.
- A tree with CO₂ arrows showing the absorption process.
- Carbon absorbed by the tree from the atmosphere during its growth.
- Step 2: Sustainable Harvesting
- The tree is cut and processed into wood pavers, storing the captured CO₂.
- A sawmill or tree being processed into planks.
- The tree is cut and processed into wood pavers, storing the captured CO₂.
- Step 3: Wood Paver Production
- Pavers are manufactured, with minimal emissions due to efficient production methods.
- Wood pavers being shaped with low-energy machines.
- Pavers are manufactured, with minimal emissions due to efficient production methods.
- Step 4: Carbon Sequestration in Use
- The pavers are installed in landscapes, continuing to store carbon.
- A landscape with pavers and a carbon sink label.
- The pavers are installed in landscapes, continuing to store carbon.
- Step 5: Regeneration
- For every tree used, more are planted in reforestation efforts.
- A planting of new trees, with arrows connecting to future carbon capture.
- For every tree used, more are planted in reforestation efforts.
Decarbonizing Through Wood Pavers – A Comparison
How Proflow’s Wood Pavers Compare to Concrete
Feature
Wood Pavers
Concrete Pavers
Carbon Sequestration
Captures and stores carbon
No carbon storage
Manufacturing Emissions
Low emissions, sustainable sourcing
High emissions during production
Water Management
Permeable, supports groundwater
Non-permeable, increases runoff
Surface Temperature
Cooler, reduces heat island effect
Higher surface temperatures
End-of-Life
Can be recycled or biodegraded
Recyclable when crushed as base material
Paving for the Future – A Call to Action
It’s clear: sustainable, carbon-storing materials like wood-based pavers are part of the solution to combat climate change. Whether you’re a homeowner looking to upgrade your outdoor space or a city planner working on large-scale infrastructure, choosing Proflow's permeable wood pavers means you’re contributing to the regeneration of our planet.
As we continue to fight climate change, every action—no matter how small—adds up. By embracing regenerative design principles and focusing on materials that contribute to carbon sequestration and decarbonization, we can build a future that’s not just sustainable but restorative.
