Timber Queensland and Planet Ark have welcomed the news that Brisbane has been successful in its bid to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games and will be the first host city to contractually agree to a climate-positive Games. Source: Timberbiz
Timber Queensland’s Strategic Relations Manager Clarissa Brandt said hosting the Olympic Games will deliver a major infrastructure boost that will benefit the future of South-East Queensland as well as provide opportunities to use and showcase Queensland’s wonderful timber products.
“We congratulate the Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, Brisbane Lord Mayor, Adrian Schrinner and the Australian Olympic Committee for bringing the Games to the Sunshine State that will see sustainability outcomes and obligations hardwired into planning and operations,” Mrs Brandt said.
“With this goal in mind, renewable natural materials such as timber can make a significant contribution to climate change mitigation. Sustainably managed forests remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store the carbon in wood and timber products, which can be substituted in place of more carbon-intensive materials used in the built environment.
“Globally, the built environment accounts for around 38% of total carbon emissions and using more wood products can greatly reduce this impact into the future. Even more exciting has been the growing innovation in the use of timber and wood products in commercial and residential projects, including sporting facilities such as football stadiums, high-rise apartments and office buildings.
“We are fortunate that Queensland has a broad range of sustainably managed and world class forests, including plantation pine and native cypress and hardwood forests, that support a strong local industry in South-East Queensland and across the State.
“Timber is the ultimate renewable and the industry looks forward to working closely with organising bodies to maximise these opportunities and contribute to the climate-positive games.”
Planet Ark’s Make it Wood Campaign Manager David Rowlinson said the Olympics can make a positive impact on the way governments assess the environmental impact of publicly owned infrastructure.
“The French government recently announced its plans for a sustainability law that will ensure all new public buildings are built from at least 50% timber or other natural materials,” said Mr Rowlinson.
“This commitment, similar to the Wood Encouragement Policies that a number of Australian State and Local Governments have already implemented, was introduced to include buildings constructed for the 2024 Paris Olympics complex.
“It’s fantastic that Australia now has the opportunity to host the summer Olympic and Paralympic Games for the third time, and hopefully they will be the most environmentally friendly games ever.”
