The UK Government has outlined bold new plans to promote timber as a primary building material, aiming to drive economic growth, cut carbon emissions, and address the country’s housing shortage.
Announced at the Timber in Construction (TiC) Summit in London, Environment Minister Mary Creagh revealed an updated TiC Roadmap, designed to accelerate the adoption of timber-based construction while maintaining safety and quality standards.
Reducing Import Reliance and Supporting Homegrown Timber
A key focus of the roadmap is reducing the UK’s dependence on imported timber, which currently accounts for 80% of usage. By increasing domestic forestry production, the Government aims to enhance biodiversity, strengthen rural economies, and create new green spaces.
Forestry Commission Chief Executive Richard Stanford welcomed the initiative, describing it as a vital step toward “timber security” and self-sufficiency. Meanwhile, David Hopkins, CEO of Timber Development UK, hailed the strategy as a “major boost” for the low-carbon construction sector, highlighting its potential to support economic growth.
A Step Toward Sustainable Housing Solutions
With the UK facing a significant housing crisis, the roadmap prioritises offsite construction methods and structural timber, providing a sustainable and scalable solution. Alex Goodfellow, Chair of the Confederation of Timber Industries, emphasised that timber presents a dual opportunity—increasing the supply of low-carbon housing while also expanding forests to meet environmental targets.
Echoing this sentiment, Stuart Goodall of Confor praised the Government’s focus on productive forestry and homegrown wood-based products, while Andrew Carpenter of the Structural Timber Association noted that timber construction aligns with both housebuilding goals and the UK’s decarbonisation commitments.
Paving the Way for a Greener Construction Industry
The Government’s renewed push for timber construction is expected to attract investment in domestic wood processing, integrate sustainable materials into mainstream construction, and position timber as a cornerstone of the UK’s net-zero strategy.
With widespread industry backing and clear Government support, the initiative has the potential to revolutionise the construction sector, offering a greener, more sustainable approach to meeting housing demand, lowering emissions, and fostering economic growth.
