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Timber - reducing the carbon footprint

It has become increasingly clear over the last decade
that we have to change our approach to building
generally and to building homes specifically as the
materials typically used in construction contribute
significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions.

● The environmental impact of construction is
unsustainably high, with choice of building material
a significant contributor to greenhouse gas
emissions.
● Given the high carbon footprint of cement and steel
production, timber is increasingly a compelling
third option.
● The CO2 captured during photosynthesis gives
Figure 14 - Ritsu bespoke timber log building
timber a head start over other construction
materials, but this captured CO2 needs managing
at end-of-life. These include ‘timber first’, CO2 compensation,
● End-of-life options include reuse, recycling, biomass forest carbon stock inventory tracking, and industry
energy extraction through combustion and voluntary schemes incorporating LCA (life cycle
anaerobic burial to fix (most of) the carbon. Choice assessment).
may be limited by chemical adhesives, preservatives
and coatings present in the wood. Given the high carbon footprint of cement, brick, block
● Policies that include carbon pricing and trading are and steel production and the challenges these
growing in number, and all support CO2 abatement. industries face transitioning, timber is becoming a clear

Figure 15. Ritsu bespoke timber log buiding - logs outside, logs inside