New policies to support substantial increase in use of timber in construction recommended by the Committee on Climate Change.
‘UK homes are not fit for the future. Greenhouse gas emission reductions from UK housing have stalled, and efforts to adapt the housing stock for higher temperatures, flooding and water scarcity are falling far behind the increase in risk from the changing climate. The quality, design and use of homes across the UK must be improved now to address the challenges of climate change. Doing so will also improve health, well-being and comfort, including for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and those living with chronic illnesses. The quality, design and use of homes across the UK must be improved now to address the challenges of climate change. This is the conclusion of the Committee on Climate Change in their report, UK Housing: Fit for the Future?‘
This is a damning report on the lack of progress across the UK, but among a wide ranging set of recommendations Woodknowledge Wales are encouraged to see that the increased use of wood is being highlighted as a key policy recommendation to ‘Develop new policies to support a substantial increase in the use of wood in construction. This will need to focus on overcoming a range of cultural, skills and financial barriers in the construction sector. Undertake low-regrets action (essentially low cost win wins) to support the assessment and bench marking of whole-life carbon in buildings with a view to informing the future policy framework.’
More details here.