The APPG for the Timber Industries has released a new policy report titled ‘Timber Construction: Barriers and Solutions’, which looks into recommendations to expand low-carbon timber construction in the UK
Increasing timber construction has been recommended by both the Climate Change Committee and Environmental Audit Committee. This will help the UK to achieve net zero by 2050.
The report investigates the ways that the government can achieve this through policies that:
- Increase demand for sustainable timber
- Increase the resilience of timber supply
- Tackle misconceptions about building safety
- Expand low-carbon construction skills.
The APPG report complements the work of the Timber in Construction Working Group. The group was set up by the government in 2021 to identify significant actions that should be taken to increase the number of timber structures built in the UK.
Baroness Hayman of Ullock, chair of the APPG, said: “By using wood instead of other materials in construction, we can reduce these emissions, both through the carbon captured and stored in the wood product and the avoidance of using alternative CO2-intensive materials.
“This report goes beyond the arguments for timber construction. We feel these have been well made and to good effect.
“Instead, we want to turn these arguments into a policy reality, inspiring the government, and other political parties, in their bid to formulate green-built environment policies for the election next year.”
