• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Woodknowledge Wales

Woodknowledge Wales

  • Bluesky
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

Inspiring innovation through collaboration

  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Our Vision
    • Our Mission
    • What we do
  • Projects
    • Regenerative Materials First
    • Home-Grown Homes Project / Prosiect Cartrefi o Bren Lleol
    • Welsh Timber Windows
    • Investing in Afforestation
    • Procurement
  • Latest News
  • Members
    • Our Members
    • Communities of Practice
    • Membership Benefits
    • Join WKW
    • Ask our Network
  • Events
    • WoodBUILD 2025
    • WoodBUILD 2024
    • WoodBUILD 2023
  • Resources
    • Case Studies
    • Tools
      • ESECT
    • Reports
  • Contact Us

Using Wood in Construction as a significant Greenhouse Gas Removal Mechanism

May 30, 2025 by Sarah Lawton

A report summarising Home-Grown Homes research undertaken by Woodknowledge Wales, the BioComposites Centre and the ASBP that seeks to redefine the role of timber and other biogenic materials in construction

Using Wood in Construction as a significant Greenhous Gas Removal Mechanism

Overview

As the UK moves toward low carbon targets, greenhouse gas removal (GGR) technologies are becoming a critical part of the climate response. The report presents the case for treating wood in construction (WIC) as a cost-effective and scalable GGR pathway and was authored by Gary Newman, Dr Morwenna Spear and Simon Corbey, from Woodknowledge Wales, the BioComposites Centre and the Alliance for Sustainable Building Products (ASBP)respectively. 

This research was funded by Welsh Government.

Download PDF

Key insights

WIC is an established GGR method. Long-life wood buildings are already recognised by international authorities such as the IPCC and UNFCCC as significant carbon stores. However, current UK policy and reporting frameworks do not yet reflect this potential.

Standard life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies do not account for the long-term carbon storage value of timber in buildings. As a result, the climate benefit of WIC is systematically undervalued.

The scale of opportunity is significant. Timber construction is already delivering tens of thousands of homes in the UK each year. The report shows that increasing timber use in buildings could contribute several million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent removals annually.

Monitoring and reporting systems are achievable. Drawing on existing data and standards, the report outlines practical methods for measuring and verifying carbon stored in wood-based construction products.

Recommendations for policy and industry

  1. Include WIC explicitly in GGR policy portfolios and carbon budgets
  2. Develop and trial UK-specific carbon storage reporting systems for WIC
  3. Broaden funding and support beyond LCA frameworks to reflect the dual mitigation and removal roles of timber
  4. Establish a national task force to support joined-up governance, quantification and reporting for WIC as a GGR

Why this matters

Buildings are not just energy liabilities – they are also potential carbon assets. Recognising the carbon stored in the built environment opens up new possibilities for achieving low carbon targets, while also delivering co-benefits for forestry, housing and rural economies.

What the report covers

  • Policy context in the UK, EU and international frameworks
  • Analysis of different greenhouse gas removal options
  • Data on carbon storage potential in UK timber construction
  • Guidance on harvested wood product (HWP) carbon pool accounting
  • A summary of emerging standards and certification schemes for carbon removals

Download the report

Using Wood in Construction as a Significant Greenhouse Gas Removal Mechanism (PDF)

Get involved

Woodknowledge Wales invites policymakers, developers, supply chain actors and carbon market stakeholders to engage with this agenda and help build momentum for wood in construction as a climate solution.

For more information, contact info@woodknowledgewales.co.uk

Filed Under: Guidance, Home-Grown Homes, News, Other Resource, Projects & Ventures

Primary Sidebar

Search

Join our mailing list

Subscribe

Join our mailing list

SUBSCRIBE

Contact Us

Woodknowledge Wales Ltd
22 Cathedral Road
Cardiff
CF11 9LJ
United Kingdom
Email:  info@woodknowledge.wales

Follow us

  • Bluesky
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

Read our updated Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2025 Woodknowledge Wales.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click OK and continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
OK Read More
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT