An industry “forum” comprising some of the leading organisations representing the timber, joinery and forest sectors has discussed ways of spreading the environmental and construction advantages of wood.
The Edinburgh forum, organised by the Confederation of Forest Industries (ConFor) and Timber Trade Federation, was attended by representatives of the UK Timber Frame Association, British Woodworking Federation, wood. for good and Wood Panel Industries Federation.
Issues debated included competitor materials’ increasing use of sustainability arguments and the need to more effectively communicate the timber industry’s key messages. The groups also talked about using the forthcoming election campaign to send out an industry manifesto to all parliamentary candidates.
John White, TTF chief executive, said: “All sectors share a common goal – increasing the use of wood – and will work closely to develop ways of augmenting the current communication channels to explain both the environmental and constructional advantages of wood.”
Future forums will consider the government’s policy on renewable energy, as well as exploring the possibility of having wood formally recognised by the government as an environmentally-friendly material.
