Hardwood timber
Richard Stanford is chief executive of the Forestry Commission
The urgency of the climate crisis and the increasing demand for sustainable building practices make it clear that we must move beyond commonly used materials and embrace renewable alternatives. Timber is the most promising solution – and it’s time to prioritise it as a key building material, not just for its ability to reduce carbon emissions and lock natural carbon up for the long term, but also to create healthier, more resilient buildings.
“England only builds 9 per cent of houses with timber frames – in Scotland, it’s 90 per cent”
The importance of homegrown timber cannot be overstated. The UK imports 73 per cent of its timber, which makes it the second-largest importer globally. Its reliance on foreign sources is unsustainable, especially as timber supply faces increasing pressures globally, with demand set to triple by 2050.
The situation is clear: just as food security is essential, so too is timber security. But it takes at least 40 years to grow a timber crop rather than one year for agricultural crops.
If we are to build a more resilient and sustainable construction industry, we need to invest in growing our domestic supply chain. We can sustainably increase the timber harvest from our existing woodlands right now and, if market conditions are favourable, our world-class wood processors have the potential to boost the supply of sawn wood and panel products.
In the longer term, rising demand for homegrown timber would encourage more tree planting, innovation and investment in forestry and wood processing.
The cycle of planting and nurturing woodlands, harvesting trees as they mature, and using wood to build new developments or refurbish the existing building stock is good for jobs and good for nature. The timber value chain is already a mainstay of the circular economy and the contribution it makes can be grown significantly.
Amid the rising demand, the construction industry has a unique opportunity. By using more domestic timber, it can secure its position in a global market while protecting the UK from future supply chain disruptions. Growing trees is a long-term business, and the pressure on global timber supply chains makes it clear that now is the time to act.
Shifting skill needs
The government has committed to building 1.5 million sustainable and affordable homes by 2029. Through the Timber in Construction Roadmap, launched in February, it recognises the key role timber will play to deliver high-quality energy-efficient homes rapidly, while creating new and diverse jobs in the sector.
For construction workers, the shift to timber represents not just a change in materials but an opportunity for skill development and job security. Working with timber offers a chance to engage with innovative building techniques and craftsmanship. As the demand for eco-friendly and modular construction grows, expertise in timber will become more valuable.
The Forestry Commission strongly supports the roadmap. However, we need all stakeholders in the construction industry to prioritise the use of timber. Developers, builders, architects and material suppliers have a direct role to play. I have heard developers talking a lot about net-zero houses; what they often mean is net zero to run rather than net zero to construct. Net-zero construction is possible with the use of homegrown timber and careful design that maximises reuse and the recycling of components; we need to work together to make this a reality.
England only builds 9 per cent of houses with timber frames; in Scotland it is 90 per cent. England must do better, for the sake of the environment and climate change.
The future of construction lies in building smarter, greener and more sustainably. Timber must be at the heart of this transition.