Timber Development UK (TDUK) – the UK’s trade association for the timber supply
chain – in collaboration with Waugh Thistleton Architects – have released a study on policies from across the
globe which encourage the use of timber in construction.
TimberPolicy is a comparative study of policies, across six countries, which
can act as a powerful tool to support policy makers on their journey to
decarbonise construction in the UK, and beyond.
Commissioned by TDUK and written by Waugh Thistleton Architects, this new
report follows hot on the heels of the UK Government’s
Timber in Construction (TiC) Roadmap, which aims to safely increase the use
of timber in construction.
Timber is a low-carbon, natural, renewable material, at the heart of
transitioning to a sustainable, circular economy for the UK and many nations
around the world. This study is a snapshot of a rapidly evolving movement.
David Hopkins, chief executive of
Timber Development UK said: “What
we need to see this year is ambition turned to action. This means forward
looking policy – and politicians brave enough to create a framework which
places value on low-carbon construction.
“Timber is the ultimate low-carbon
material, and countries across the developed world have rightly recognized this
– working to create comprehensive policy frameworks that support the growth of
the timber industry.
The UK Government’s roadmap is a
fantastic starting point, but without more action, there is a risk the UK falls
behind. We need a clear timeline of action, starting with limits on embodied
carbon in buildings, which is currently unregulated.
“Embodied carbon can account for up to
half of the emissions of a building over its lifetime – hundreds of thousands
of tonnes of carbon per year – but this is currently ignored by UK politicians
and policy makers.
“Our new book, commissioned by TDUK and
written by Waugh Thistleton Architects, highlights the policies being put in
place in a variety of countries around the world.
“The UK Government, if they are serious
about achieving the goals of their roadmap, now need to look at what policies
would work in the UK. We hope that these examples give food for thought and we
can start to engage policy makers on making this happen, rather than simply
relying on the market to change.
“This year we must turn pockets of
excellence, like Stirling Prize winning Goldsmith Street, the Phoenix
Development in Lewes,
or the pioneering Black & White Building from exceptions to the norm. The opportunity has
never been greater.”
Andrew Waugh, director and
co-founder, Waugh Thistleton Architects, said: “As pioneers in timber construction, we are proud to
collaborate with TDUK to author the Timber Policy Book. Working at the
forefront of global timber construction and participating in extensive research
with European partners, we understand first-hand the impact of government
policies on sustainable, low-carbon construction.
“While the UK once led the world
in mass timber construction, recent years have seen a shift in global
leadership. Recent assessments, such as the Climate Change Committee’s critique
of the UK Government’s Carbon Budget Delivery Plan, highlight the urgent need
for accelerated policy development in the UK.
“While we commend initiatives like the
Timber in Construction Roadmap, our research for Timber Policy reveals that
current UK efforts fall short of addressing the urgency of the climate crisis.
Bold leadership, as demonstrated by progressive nations such as France,
Germany, The Netherlands and Denmark, mandating limits on embodied carbon and
investing in sustainable timber projects, is essential for a meaningful
transition to a low-carbon future. The Roadmap sets out timelines to consider
options, encourage voluntary reporting, and seek advice, after which revisions
to policy will be put in place. The Timber Policy Guide shows how this process
has already happened in the 6 example countries and policies which have already
been implemented.
“Despite challenges, some progress in
the UK is evident; for example, the DfE’s flagship project to standardise mass
timber school fabrication underscores its commitment to innovation.
Additionally, the Mass
Timber Insurance Playbook and New
Model Building Guides, funded by Built
by Nature, a philanthropic organisation, provide invaluable resources
for navigating the complexities of timber construction.
“The urgency of climate action cannot be
overstated. With projections indicating a 1.5-degree increase in global
temperatures by 2050 and up to 3 degrees by the end of the century, decisive
steps must be taken. The Timber Policy book serves as a beacon of hope,
illustrating how public-private partnerships can drive systemic change towards
a sustainable future.”
Embodied carbon is recognised by major policy influencers such as the United
Nations, Royal
Society and World Green
Building Council, and in the UK by the likes of the Climate
Change Committee and Environmental
Audit Committee as crucial to overcoming climate change.
Despite a wide array of evidence and calls from these bodies to implement
key policies, such as the regulation of embodied carbon, there has been a
highly variable policy approach across the world. The UK, once positioned as a
leader in sustainable construction using timber, now lags behind many other
nations due to its regulatory environment.
With this book, Timber Policy, we outline how six different
countries around the world are helping to support the transition to low-carbon
construction. This is the second in a trio of essential books, with the
first edition Timber
Typologies providing clarity on different timber systems. The final
book in the series, Timber LCA, will demystify lifetime carbon
analysis for timber buildings.
Collectively, these books are intended to act as a stimulus for action – in
the UK, and beyond.
