The UK must significantly expand domestic timber production to meet climate goals, strengthen wood security, and reduce the environmental impact of relying on high-carbon overseas imports
A major new study has raised concerns that the UK’s growing reliance on imported wood could undermine national net zero ambitions and contribute to rising global carbon emissions.
Published this month in Nature Communications, the research warns that without urgent action to increase homegrown wood supply, the UK will remain vulnerable to global market shocks—and risk “offshoring” the environmental costs of its construction sector.
The study, led by Bangor University researchers, calls for a fundamental shift in UK land use priorities. It outlines a new approach to sustainable domestic forestry that would see productive forests expand significantly alongside improved forest management and circular economy wood use.
🌍 Read the original press release:
UK reliance on imported wood threatens net zero goals, new research warns
A looming timber supply gap
The UK has some of the lowest forest cover in Europe—just 14%—and meets only 20% of its wood demand through domestic supply. This leaves the country increasingly dependent on imports, primarily from northern boreal forests, which are crucial carbon stores but much slower growing than productive UK conifer forests.
The researchers caution that increasing the intensity of logging these carbon-rich forests to meet increasing UK wood demand could release more emissions than are saved by switching from concrete or steel to timber in construction. Unless addressed, this could undermine the climate benefits that wood is otherwise known to offer.
Pathways to climate-positive forestry
To tackle this challenge, the research team developed an advanced life cycle assessment framework to evaluate long-term carbon outcomes from different UK forestry scenarios.
Key findings include:
- A 50% increase in productive forest area over the next 50 years would be needed to meet even modest demand growth (1.1% annually).
- A more ambitious approach—doubling productive area and boosting tree growth rates by 33%—would result in 175% greater climate benefits.
- If wood demand grows more rapidly (2.3% annually), only this combined strategy would be sufficient to achieve long-term climate gains.
Bangor University’s Professor John Healey, senior author of the study and member of the Woodknowledge Wales board, outlined three critical challenges facing UK forestry:
- Expanding productive conifer forests – a sector that has stalled for decades and is expected to decline in harvestable supply after 2039.
- Improving forest management – to increase growth while tackling growing threats from pests, drought and disease.
- Maximising wood use efficiency – through reduced waste, reuse, and circular economy principles.
“Major policy reform is needed to meet these challenges,” Professor Healey said. “Growing more of its own wood is essential—not just for UK net zero targets, but for the global fight against climate change.”
Supporting a UK-grown timber future
Woodknowledge Wales Chief Executive Gary Newman welcomed the study, saying:
“We’re proud to have supported this work, which provides compelling evidence for long-term planting strategy, enhanced forest productivity and efficient wood use. This research strengthens the case for growing more of our own timber and using it wisely.”
The paper adds further weight to the call for urgent investment in the UK’s domestic forest and timber industries—not only as a climate strategy, but as a matter of long-term wood security and supply chain resilience.
