To highlight outstanding constructions using timber from a sustainable source, PEFC and the World Architecture Festival are awarding the Best Use of Certified Timber Prize for the third time this year. Entries are open until 14 August. Source: Timberbiz
If you are an architect or project team and have used certified timber as the main construction material in one of your buildings, submit your project (https://www.worldarchitecturefestival.com/ENTER).
Concrete, steel, cement and glass are among the most frequently used construction materials but there is a problem as they emit enormous amounts of carbon, making the building and construction sector responsible for 39% of all carbon emissions in the world.
Wood does just the opposite: rather than emitting carbon, it stores it. Using wood for construction saves about 40% of carbon emissions in comparison to concrete, and 30% in comparison to steel.
As trees grow, they absorb CO and store it as carbon in their biomass. The carbon remains there, even after the trees have been felled. A cubic metre of wood contains around a tonne of CO. This is equivalent to 350 litres of gasoline. Building with wood can significantly reduce our carbon footprint.
Building with wood clearly has many benefits, but this is only if it comes from a sustainable source. PEFC certification gives you the assurance that the sourced timber comes from sustainably managed forests. Through PEFC project certification (https://pefc.org/for-business/supply-chain-companies/certify-yourconstruction- project), you can clearly and reliably demonstrate your decision to build with PEFC-certified timber.
