The UK Timber Trade Federation is developing a “Sustainability Action Plan” to help members capitalise on the market drive towards sustainable construction and development and the generally more environmentally sensitive marketplace.
TTF chief executive John White said the plan would be a “valuable source of information on areas vital both to timber companies’ customers and profitability” with core issues including energy management, biomass, carbon, waste and water use reduction.
“It will also facilitate the promotin of timberer by highlighting its competitiveness and illustrating how the industry is meeting the needs of the growing sustainable construction agenda,” he said.
To gauge where the industry is currently on the range of sustainability questions and criteria, TTF members are currently being sent a questionnaire. The responses will be used to inform the Action Plan and highlight where its priorities lie.
“Timber customers and specifiers are increasingly requesting information about more than just certification – demand for lifecycle information is rising up the agenda and timer product data regarding embodied carbon and water is regularly requested,” said John White. “The Sustainability Action Plan, with member input through the questionnaire, will help us face these challenges, meet customers’ needs, increase market share and enter new markets.”
