Timber roadmap launched to boost UK construction

Government plan sets out vision to boost safe use of sustainable UK timber in construction and increase domestic supply.

Currently 80% of timber used is imported into the UK. Increasing domestic capacity could create new jobs in forestry and wood processing sectors, contributing over £2bln to the UK economy.

Key actions set out in the Timber in Construction Roadmap include:

• Improving data on timber and whole life carbon 
• Promoting timber as a construction material
• Boosting skills, capacity and competency across the supply chain
• Increasing the supply of sustainable timber products
• Addressing fire safety concerns to safely expand the use of engineered mass timber
• Building collaboration with insurers, lenders, and warranty providers
• Promoting innovation and high performing timber construction systems 

Forestry Commission Chief Executive, Richard Stanford, says, 'If we are to achieve net-zero, we must produce more timber through home-grown trees and lock up carbon using the timber in our buildings. We need to boost productive forestry in England to support timber security and reduce our over-reliance on imports at the same time as tackling our nature crisis by improving biodiversity, improving water quality and giving people access to green spaces. We look forward to working closely with partners across the timber, forestry and construction industries in this hugely important area of our work for years to come.'