Building on the foundation laid by the 2023 roadmap, the UK government unveiled an updated Timber in Construction Roadmap 2025 at the Timber in Construction Summit in London on 27th February 2025. Environment Minister Mary Creagh hopes this signals a strengthened commitment to revolutionizing the nation's construction industry through the increased use of timber. This strategic blueprint reinforces the government's dedication to addressing the housing crisis while achieving ambitious net-zero carbon targets, positioning timber as a central pillar of sustainable building practices.
The updated roadmap, informed by progress made since the initial 2023 version, underscores the inherent advantages of timber as a low-carbon, renewable building material. With the built environment continuing to contribute significantly to the UK's greenhouse gas emissions, the government is doubling down on its efforts to leverage timber's potential in mitigating climate change.
A Sustainable Solution to Dual Challenges, Revisited and Reinforced
The timing of this updated initiative is crucial. The UK continues to face a significant housing shortage, with the government aiming to build 1.5 million new homes. Simultaneously, the nation remains committed to increasing tree canopy and woodland cover to 16.5% by 2050, recognizing the vital role of forests in carbon sequestration and biodiversity.
Timber effectively bridges these seemingly disparate goals. By utilizing sustainably sourced timber in construction, the UK can reduce its reliance on carbon-intensive materials like concrete and steel, significantly lowering the embodied carbon footprint of new buildings. This initiative is not merely about substituting materials; it's about fundamentally transforming the way buildings are designed and constructed, a vision that has been further refined and strengthened in this updated roadmap.
Environment Minister Mary Creagh CBE MP said: “This Government is getting Britain building. Our Plan for Change will build 1.5 million homes this Parliament. Timber will play a vital role benefitting development and nature.”
Key Pillars of the Roadmap: Building on Past Successes
The Timber in Construction Roadmap 2025 builds upon the seven priority themes established in the 2023 version, incorporating lessons learned and adapting to evolving industry needs. These themes are:
- Promoting Sustainable Timber Sourcing: The updated roadmap reaffirms the importance of ensuring that all timber used in construction is sourced sustainably, with a continued focus on increasing the use of domestically grown timber. This involves strengthening certification schemes and promoting responsible forest management practices, now with a greater emphasis on traceability and transparency throughout the supply chain.
- Addressing Fire Safety and Durability Concerns: Building on the research and development efforts initiated under the 2023 roadmap, the updated version outlines further steps to address concerns about fire safety and durability. This includes the implementation of clearer guidance and standards, as well as the promotion of innovative timber treatment technologies.
- Enhancing Skills and Capacity in the Supply Chain: Recognizing the critical role of a skilled workforce and a robust supply chain, the updated roadmap expands upon the training and education programs initiated in the 2023 version. This includes increased investment in apprenticeships and vocational training, as well as support for the modernization and expansion of timber processing and manufacturing facilities.
- Promoting Innovation and Technology: The updated roadmap places an even greater emphasis on the adoption of innovative timber construction techniques, such as mass timber construction. This includes the establishment of pilot projects and demonstration buildings to showcase the benefits of these technologies, as well as the development of new design tools and software.
- Strengthening Collaboration and Partnerships: The government continues to recognize the importance of collaboration between industry, academia, and other stakeholders. The updated roadmap calls for the strengthening of existing partnerships and the establishment of new platforms to facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration, both domestically and internationally.
- Raising Awareness and Building Confidence: Building on the awareness campaigns launched under the 2023 roadmap, the updated version aims to further educate architects, engineers, developers, and the general public about the benefits of timber construction. This includes the dissemination of updated research findings, case studies, and best practices.
- Policy and Regulatory Framework: The updated roadmap includes specific policy and regulatory changes designed to prioritize timber in future construction projects. This includes revisions to building codes and standards, as well as the implementation of incentives and subsidies to encourage the use of timber.
Economic and Environmental Benefits: A Growing Consensus
The updated initiative is expected to further stimulate growth in the forestry and construction sectors, creating new jobs and supporting rural economies. Moreover, by reducing reliance on imported materials, the UK can strengthen its domestic supply chain and enhance its resilience, a particularly important consideration in the current global climate.
The environmental benefits are equally compelling, and now even more firmly established through ongoing research and data collection. Timber acts as a carbon sink, storing carbon dioxide throughout its lifespan. By using timber in construction, the UK can effectively lock up carbon in buildings, contributing significantly to its net-zero goals. Furthermore, timber is a renewable resource, unlike concrete and steel, which are derived from finite fossil fuels.
David Hopkins, Chief Executive Officer of Timber Development UK, said: “The Government’s commitment to the Timber in Construction Roadmap is a real boost to the low-carbon construction sector. We have a great opportunity to increase our housing stock while growing our forests and reducing our emissions output.
“As a bio-based industrial supply chain, the timber sector can play a unique role in the low-carbon economy – sequestering emissions in the forest and storing them in our buildings. With a rough value of £10 billion to the UK, this growth in timber construction can also play a vital role in the Government’s wider growth agenda.”
Addressing Industry Challenges: A Proactive Approach
While the updated roadmap presents a compelling vision, it also acknowledges the challenges that need to be addressed. These include ensuring a consistent and reliable supply of timber, addressing evolving concerns about fire safety and durability, and continuing to develop the necessary skills and capacity within the industry.
The government is committed to working closely with industry stakeholders to proactively address these challenges. This includes ongoing investment in research and development, the provision of enhanced training and education programs, and the streamlining of regulatory processes to facilitate the adoption of timber construction techniques.
A Call to Action, Renewed and Reinforced
The Timber in Construction Roadmap 2025 is more than just an updated policy document; it's a renewed and reinforced call to action. It's a call for the construction industry to fully embrace sustainable practices, for architects and engineers to design with timber as a primary material, and for developers to prioritize low-carbon building materials.
The success of this initiative will depend on the collective efforts of all stakeholders. By working together, the UK can transform its construction industry and build a more sustainable future. The government has reaffirmed its commitment, and now it's up to the industry to rise to the challenge with renewed vigor. The updated roadmap has been welcomed by builders merchants, sustainable building organizations, and forestry groups alike, who see this as a positive and necessary step for the UK building industry.
Andrew Carpenter, Chief Executive of the Structural Timber Association, said: “This is a substantial step forward, and we are extremely pleased to see the Government underlining its commitment to meeting these ambitious house-building targets. Increasing the use of structural timber and offsite manufacturing is one of the most effective ways of ensuring the rapid and high-quality delivery of these vitally needed homes while also meeting urgent decarbonization obligations.
For further details, please read the Timber in Construction Roadmap 2025.