Construction
As the largest buyer of timber products, the construction industry influences the type of timber in demand and helps to increase the amount of sustainably-sourced material used. Rating systems, such as the Living Future Institute of Australia's Living Building Challenge, the Green Building Council and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) provide credits, and thus, market incentives, for FSC-certified products. Contractors and their suppliers can obtain FSC chain of custody certification or FSC project certification.
FSC-Certified Wood in Construction
Responsible sourcing of wood can benefit construction projects in many ways. Wood is more carbon and energy efficient in comparison to other building materials. However, wood can originate from unsustainable forest management practices which can undermine its benefits. This risk can be mitigated by sourcing FSC certified wood. FSC is the world’s most trusted sustainable forest management solution that adds environmental, social and economic benefits to construction projects.
FSC and Construction: Building Sustainably with FSC-certified Wood
Global construction output is expected to grow 85% by the year 2050, with construction generating almost 40% of all CO2 emissions worldwide. This has significant consequences for climate change.
Fortunately, the industry has an opportunity to improve this outlook by adopting sustainable practices. If sourced responsibly, timber can play a crucial role in sustainability efforts. It’s beautiful, versatile, and high performing while using 24 times less energy to produce than steel.
The construction industry can make a genuine impact on the climate crisis by specifying FSC-certified timber and leveraging FSC project certification. FSC is the most rigorous and trusted forest certification, proven to prevent deforestation and support the ecosystems and people who rely on forests.
How Construction Professionals Can Ensure Responsible Management of Tropical Forests
Tropical forests are home to two-thirds of the world’s biodiversity, including thousands of different tropical tree species – and it’s our responsibility to preserve them. As a construction professional, you can support sustainable tropical timber by considering some of the incredible FSC-certified lesser-known timber species. Watch this video to learn more about FSC-certified tropical timber.
Find an FSC-certified timber supplier!
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