UK launches Wood in Construction 2025 Roadmap - an ambitious commitment to a sustainable future

The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has recently published a public policy document that represents a firm commitment to increasing the use of wood in construction. Updated early March 2025, "Timber in Construction Roadmap 2025" sets out a comprehensive framework for transforming the construction sector in England, simultaneously tackling three major challenges: tackling climate change, reducing carbon emissions and tackling the housing crisis.

The document highlights the potential of wood as a renewable and low-carbon resource capable of making a significant contribution to the country's sustainability goals. "The UK is facing some of its biggest challenges to date - climate change, the housing crisis and boosting economic growth. Wood offers a solution as a renewable, low carbon resource. It has huge potential to cut emissions, create jobs and build the homes we need," the document's foreword states.

Seven pillars for transforming the sector

The Roadmap identifies seven priority themes that need to be addressed to increase the use of wood in construction in England in a safe, targeted and sustainable way:

1. Improving data on wood and life-cycle carbon footprint
2. Promoting the safe and sustainable use of wood as a building material
3. Increase competences, capacity and skills throughout the supply chain
4. Increasing sustainable wood supply
5. Addressing fire safety and sustainability concerns to safely expand the use of engineered solid engineered wood
6. Intensified cooperation with insurers, creditors and collateral providers
7. Promoting innovation and efficient timber construction systems

Significant potential to reduce carbon emissions

The paper points out that using wood in construction can reduce embodied carbon emissions in a single building by 20% to 60%. Wood products harvested from sustainably managed forests also act as a carbon store, sequestering carbon over the lifetime of the product.

It is interesting to note the contrast between England, where only 9% of new homes were built with timber frames in 2019, and Scotland, where this figure was 92%. This disparity highlights the significant opportunity to develop the industry on a large and rapid scale.

A commitment to increase domestic timber production

The UK government has committed to increase tree and woodland cover in England from 14.5% in 2024 to 16.5% by 2050. This initiative is part of wider efforts to reach the goal of net zero emissions by 2050.

"The increased and safer use of timber in construction in England will create an opportunity to increase demand for domestic timber, creating new green jobs and stimulating further investment in domestic timber and wood processing supply chains," the document states.

A collaborative effort between government and industry

To implement this roadmap, the UK government is working closely with a working group made up of a wide range of organizations, including professional associations, academic institutions, regulators and industry representatives.

This extensive collaboration reflects a commitment to a holistic approach, addressing all aspects of the timber value chain, from planting and forest management to end use in construction.

Implications for the future of construction

For the construction industry, this roadmap represents a significant opportunity for innovation and adaptation. The document promotes Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), including the increased use of off-site manufacturing and digital technologies that can increase quality and reduce waste.

It is notable that a housing project using a volumetric timber system demonstrated a 50% faster construction time compared to traditional methods, with 90% of the construction time completed in the factory, requiring minimal on-site work.

The UK initiative serves as a powerful example of good practice in the sustainable use of wood in construction. With a comprehensive approach that covers everything from sourcing and skills to innovation and regulation, this roadmap provides a valuable model for other countries looking to transform their construction sector to meet sustainability goals.