European Commission debates wood products’ inclusion in carbon rules

The commission’s environment committee considered a proposal to add harvested wood products greenhouse gas accounting rules for the first time.

The proposal, which needs agreement by both the European Parliament and the European Council, could eventually see EU member states including the new accounting rules in their wider climate change mitigation strategies and developing incentive schemes.

It recognises the role that forestry plays in carbon sequestration and timber products’ benefits in long-term carbon storage. The news was greeted enthusiastically by the British Woodworking Federation (BWF).

“This is a complex technical issue, but the message is clear, it underpins that timber is a vital part of the low carbon economy.” said chief executive Iain McIlwee.

“As an industry we need to start building a more robust and easier to communicate sustainability case that ensures timber takes centre-stage as the most sustainable of all construction materials.

“Carbon sequestration and carbon storage are a fundamental part of this debate and should be recognised by legislators,” he said.