Government Endorses Timber Construction in New Decarbonisation Plan

The UK government's latest move towards decarbonising construction has been unveiled in the Timber in Construction Roadmap. This policy framework outlines strategies to expand safe timber usage and bolster domestic wood supply.

The Timber in Construction Roadmap, a collaborative effort between government and industry, targets seven priority areas. It aims to identify barriers to timber utilisation and propose policy solutions and industry actions. The initiative aligns with the government's Net Zero Strategy and England Trees Action Plan, committing to increased timber use and reduced embodied carbon in construction.

Timber's environmental benefits align with the UK's decarbonisation goals, including carbon capture, sustainable forest management, and low energy consumption. Following COP26, advisory bodies urged the government to recognise timber's role in reducing emissions.

Despite previously mixed signals from different government departments, the Timber in Construction Roadmap provides much-needed consistency and commitment to expanding timber usage, particularly in housing. It also pledges support for Modern Methods of Construction to deliver sustainable homes efficiently.

While the roadmap is a positive step, it falls short on commitments like embodied carbon regulation, which has been delayed until 2025. Clearer policy details and measurable commitments are necessary for effective implementation.

Despite its shortcomings, the roadmap lays a solid foundation for future policy progress and demonstrates the government's commitment to decarbonising construction with timber. The Timber in Construction Working Group will oversee implementation, while industry stakeholders will continue to collaborate with the government to ensure commitments are met and expanded in the future.

The Importance of Timber in Decarbonising Construction

Timber construction has gained increasing attention as a sustainable solution for reducing carbon emissions in the built environment. With its ability to sequester carbon, support sustainable forest management, and minimise energy consumption, timber offers a promising pathway towards achieving the UK's net-zero emissions target by 2050.

The Timber in Construction Roadmap serves as a strategic framework for harnessing the environmental benefits of timber while addressing key challenges and opportunities in the construction sector. By prioritising timber usage and fostering collaboration between government and industry stakeholders, the roadmap aims to accelerate the transition towards a low-carbon built environment.

Key Themes of the Timber in Construction Roadmap

The Timber in Construction Roadmap identifies seven priority themes to expand timber usage and address barriers to adoption. These themes, developed through collaboration between government and industry representatives, provide a comprehensive framework for action:

1. Enhancing Environmental Product Declaration Data for Timber: Ensuring comprehensive and consistent data on timber products' environmental impact to be included in the Built Environment Carbon Database upon its launch in 2024, promoting transparency and informed decision-making.

2. Raising Awareness of Timber's Properties and Benefits: Launching campaigns such as Time for Timber and the Transforming Timber web platform to promote understanding and appreciation of timber as a safe and sustainable construction material, addressing barriers to its widespread adoption.

3. Strengthening Skills and Capacity Across the Timber Supply Chain: Establishing a multi-stakeholder industry forum to align initiatives and address skills gaps, ensuring a competent workforce to meet the growing demand for timber construction professionals by 2025.

4. Ensuring a Sustainable Timber Supply: Assessing the availability of sustainable timber products and fostering the development of a sustainable timber sector in England to meet construction demands while safeguarding forest resources.

5. Addressing Fire Safety and Durability Concerns in Engineered Mass Timber: Collaborating with academia and the Building Safety Regulator to evaluate the safety and durability of engineered mass timber for use beyond low-rise buildings, ensuring safe expansion of timber construction over the next five years.

6. Facilitating Collaboration with Insurers and Lenders: Promoting dialogue between the insurance sector and developers to enhance collaboration during and post-construction, fostering risk management and financial support for timber construction projects by 2028.

7. Encouraging Innovation and Efficiency in Timber Construction: Supporting innovative building practices and high-performing construction systems through offsite manufacturing and digital technologies, aiming to increase efficiency, productivity, and sustainability in the construction sector.

Challenges and Opportunities

While the Timber in Construction Roadmap presents a clear vision for advancing timber usage in the construction sector, several challenges and opportunities must be addressed to realise its full potential.

One challenge is the need for robust regulatory frameworks and standards to ensure the safety and performance of timber-based structures. While the roadmap acknowledges this issue, more detailed guidance and support may be required to navigate complex regulatory requirements and build confidence in timber construction among stakeholders.

Another challenge is the integration of timber into modern construction practices and supply chains. As the industry shifts towards more sustainable and efficient building methods, there is a need to develop innovative solutions and technologies that optimise the use of timber while meeting evolving market demands.

On the other hand, the roadmap also presents significant opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and market growth. By leveraging timber's inherent sustainability and versatility, the construction sector can unlock new opportunities for economic development, job creation, and environmental stewardship.

Conclusion

The Timber in Construction Roadmap represents a milestone in the UK's journey towards decarbonising construction and achieving net-zero emissions. By prioritising timber usage and addressing key challenges through collaborative action, the roadmap lays the foundation for a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive built environment.

As stakeholders across government, industry, and academia come together to implement the roadmap's recommendations, they can shape the future of construction and leave a lasting legacy of sustainability for generations to come.

You can read more about the Timber in Construction Roadmap here.