Wood makes climate case

The virtual wood4bauhaus conference brought together over 1,000 participants, including business, designers and civil society representatives to showcase the aesthetic beauty and sustainability of wood as a key driver in construction and living for a carbon neutral society.

The wood-based panels sector was involved in the event, with the European Panel Federation (EPF) as one of the backers and representatives from Sonae, Fantoni, Garnica Plywood, Swiss Krono and Unilin Panels among the speakers.

Professor Hans-Joachim Schellnhuber of the Potsdam-Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany delivered a powerful climate change message backing the use of more wood in the built environment.

Speaking on his theme – “Reforest the planet, retimber the cities” – Prof Schellnhuber stated: “We need to create an alternative carbon sink and wood construction is the perfect answer. We can turn the timber into construction material in the built environment, recycle most of the wood [...] you have cascade utilisation and immediately replant the trees that you have taken away and even increase the forest area, then you have what I call the ‘Forestry- Construction Pump’.

Prof Schellnhuber is acknowledged as being the mastermind behind the Commission President’s initiative for a New European Bauhaus.

He also suggested in the future that concrete will be seen “as a thing of the past”. He said it was safe to build with timber in regard to fire issues, but more work needed to be done with policy makers so there is a level playing field with other building material types.

Ruth Reichstein of the European Commission had some interesting news on commission president Ursula von der Leyen’s leaning towards wood.

“The president of the European Commission has become a huge fan of building in wood and is delighted to see the New European Bauhaus conversation growing every day,” said Mrs Reichstein. “It is a project of hope, a project of recovery. Within it, renovation can be as valuable and beautiful as new construction. With this in mind, let us turn our cities into urban forests.”

Mrs Reichstein is the pivotal European Commission official in charge of developing the New European Bauhaus, including liaising between the cabinet of president von der Leyen and the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre.

Martin Brettenthaler, CEO of Swiss Krono Group, said 43% of particleboard made in Europe is now made from recovered wood, while an additional 33% of particleboard comes from industrial wood by-products such as woodchips and sawdust. That means only 24% of particleboard is from virgin wood.

“Wood based panels is pursuing a thoroughly balanced sourcing strategy out of recycled wood, waste and fresh wood,” said Mr Brettenthaler.

“In some countries like Italy, usage of recovered wood in production of particleboard is already close to 100%.

Steven Ware, of ArtBuild France, shared some innovative projects on designing timber buildings with the ability to be disassembled easily. He said commercial office buildings now had a life expectancy of just 30 years and that 30% of global carbon emissions could be mitigated by use of wood.

Mr Ware said using parametric CAD tools could transform the use of cross-laminated timber, using cold bending principals to create structures inspired by nature.

The virtual conference was organised by the newly constituted Wood Sector Alliance for the New European Bauhaus which was formed in part as a response to the president’s call for wood to play a key role in transforming the built environment into a carbon sink. The Alliance has been accepted by the Commission as an active Partner of New European Bauhaus.

A video of the entire conference and the complete programme, including a full list of the speakers, can be found here: wood4bauhaus.eu