Timber Development UK launches Net Zero Roadmap
(update) May 2023

Commissioned by Timber Development UK (TDUK) in collaboration with eleven UK timber trade associations, the Net Zero Roadmap aims to create a clear route for the timber industry to achieve net-zero by 2050.

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The first step of the roadmap has been to outline the size of the challenge. After 12 months of expert analysis, results show the timber supply chain is responsible for 1,575,356 tonnes CO2e territorial emissions – which is about 0.35% of the UK total. While this is very low compared to other manufacturing industries such as steel and concrete, the Roadmap starts from the position that no emissions are acceptable.

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Of the total consumption emissions, 49% of these emissions are from the transport of timber products and 34% are embodied in imported materials. The remaining 17% are from UK production processes within the industry and waste.

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The roadmap highlights key areas where the whole supply chain can make a difference, from sawmills and importers to merchants. These include:

• Improving the efficiency of production and distribution of materials

• Moving to electric-powered vehicles for the transportation of products, and hydrogen for harvesting

• Moving production facilities to biomass CHP and other renewable energy sources

• Working with the overseas supply chain to reduce imported embodied emissions.

 

TDUK Sustainability Director Charlie Law says:

 

“There are some really quick wins in the report for businesses – wherever you are in the supply chain – which can be put into practice now. And if you reduce your carbon, you reduce your costs".

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Download the Roadmap to learn more.