The report, which was officially launched on the first day of Timber Expo, details key areas where the timber industry can help the government meet its own objectives in reducing carbon emissions, provide a source of sustainable jobs and economic growth, play a vital role in delivering tomorrow’s housing stock, and sit at the centre of future health and well-being agendas.
Speaking at the launch, Timber Accord chairman Roy Wakeman said he’d waited his whole career to see the day when the timber industry spoke with a united voice.
“As an industry we have many discrete sectors but increasingly it is clear that there is more that unites us than divides us and that we must worktogether to unleash our full potential.”
He added that there needed to be greater appreciation of timber as a technologically advanced building material.
“As we recognise the need to build with carbon we must start to recognise the invaluable contribution that timber has to make in developing a sustainable, prosperous economy and a responsible and healthy society with well-being levels reflecting our economic wealth.”
The manifesto highlights the areas in which the timber industry already contributes across four key sectors: growing a low carbon economy; providing sustainable jobs and growth; helping to build zero carbon homes efficiently; and providing the natural choice for health and well-being.
The document outlines the way in which government can engage with the timber industry and, said Mr Wakeman “is not only a must read but is a must pass on”.
“More than a policy document, this is a rally call. The time to build with carbon is now, the time for change is now, the time for timber is now.”
“This report shows the role the timber supply chain already plays across a range of policy areas and across the whole economy,” said David Hopkins, executive director of Wood for Good, who helped produce the manifesto.
“With a general election looming it is vital that policy makers are aware of the benefits our industry can bring and the policy dilemmas it can help solve. This report can be used by all timber industry firms, as well as their relevant trade associations, as an engagement tool to raise policy makers’ awareness of the role our sector plays in future prosperity.”
The report is available as a free download from Wood for Good and other signatories of the Timber Accord.
