The “Parliamentary perceptions of timber” survey was undertaken by political consultancy Dods and completed by 100 MPs. On timber’s environmental credentials, 77% of MPs agreed with the proposition that UK-sourced timber is sustainable, but this dropped to 51% for imports.
There was also scepticism on the statement that greater use of wood increases forest cover. Just 27% agreed. On timber in construction, 55% of respondents agreed that timber buildings could be delivered faster and cheaper than in alternative materials.
But 56% and 49% respectively were unaware of its potential in high-rise and educational construction. In terms of house building priorities, 54% put cost at the top of their list and 48% quality.
Environmental sustainability of materials was only put first by 13%, while 37% disagreed with the statement that timber building was low-fire risk.
Wood for Good director Dave Hopkins said the initiative was more than a lobbying exercise.
"We need as an industry to identify gaps in policy makers’ awareness of the contribution timber can make in terms of sustainable construction and environmental impacts generally, and the survey ties in with our upcoming launch of the Wood First Plus life cycle analysis database targeted at building professionals,” he said.
“Currently our industry does not get fair representation when issues of sustainable construction are discussed.”
The survey, he added, is being followed with a round table debate at the House of Commons on March 26 with the theme “Decarbonising Construction – the role for timber”.
Participants will include politicians, civil servants. specifiers and other building industry ‘stakeholders’.
