Good, but can still do better

Writing from the WWF's new (timber gridshell) UK headquarters, Ms Young has given us her end of term perspective on the industry's implementation of the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR). And she echoes my headmaster's verdict of "good work, but plenty to build on in the New Year".

What she's saying is that the EUTR is a good start, but with 'start' being the operative word. The NGOs see its assurance of timber legality as a staging post to the next goal, assured sustainability. What is more, they will be pressing Brussels and governments EUwide to make that their aspiration too when it comes to their EUTR review in 2015.

The WWF wants the industry to reach this next target and help bring a total "halt to deforestation and forest degradation" by 2020.Given the scale of the task, that may not be realistic, but maybe it is a good aspiration to have. We all know that the vast majority of the timber sector worldwide want to protect the global forest resource, and not just because we share the NGOs environmental concerns, but also because it represents this industry's livelihood. More than that, as the Timber Trade Federation has increasingly highlighted, the EU Timber Regulation, while an administrative headache, has considerable marketing potential as proof of the sector's green commitment. How much more powerful a promotional tool would be assured sustainability, especially among such key targets as architects, designers and government procurement personnel? And 2013 has seen plenty of other good work that the industry should be congratulated on, but, once that's done, should be viewed as stepping stones towards bigger goals. Take Wood for Good's Wood First Plus project, the online service designed to give architects, engineers and other specifiers all the performance and eco information they need to use timber with confidence. This tool for "backing our claims with data", as Wood for Good director Dave Hopkins describes it, is well on its way, but still a work in progress and needs the whole industry to engage, and to broadcast its existence once the site goes live.

The first Grown in Britain campaign to boost the use of British timber was also a tremendous start, securing huge publicity and the backing of decision makers in industry and government. In highlighting the vital role a flourishing timber sector can play in ensuring the sustainability of the forest, it also sowed seeds that could benefit the whole sector. But again, it was year one and the campaign needs still greater support to grow and prosper.

The Timber Accord wasn't created in 2013, but this grouping of trade bodies designed to boost pan-industry collaboration has moved forward. It took a shared stand at Timber Expo and recently wrote to government to highlight timber's potential for helping the UK hit its zero carbon homes target. At the same time, facing the highly cohesive forces of rival materials industries, Accord members say still greater timber sector unity is vital.

So 2013 ends with many accomplishments under the industry's belt, and plenty more to do in 2014 and beyond. But that makes the 'new term' quite an exciting prospect - which doesn't echo any school report reaction I recall.