//How the Construction Industry Can Contribute to Net Zero

Did you know that the construction industry is directly responsible for 25% of the UK’s carbon emissions? This is why it is vital that the sector rapidly decarbonises alongside other contributing industries to achieve Net Zero. At the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), timber was discussed as a solution to decarbonise the built environment and reduce carbon emissions. Here’s how the construction industry can contribute to Net Zero with timber frame and create Net Zero buildings.

//Net Zero Building Concepts

The Net Zero concepts that the construction industry need to be aware of for creating Net Zero buildings are:

• Net Zero Carbon Construction – From start to finish, the building’s construction must achieve zero or negative carbon emissions.
• Net Zero Carbon Operational Energy – Refers to a highly energy efficient building’s annual operational energy use being zero or negative.
• Net Zero Whole Life Carbon – This considers the entire life cycle of the building, this includes the embodied carbon, operational energy and disposal.
• Carbon Offsetting – During construction, if carbon emissions have been created, carbon dioxide or greenhouse emissions must be offset elsewhere.

//How Timber Frame Construction Can Contribute to Net Zero

Net Zero Carbon Construction

The entire timber construction process produces 40% less carbon that masonry construction. To start, timber is the only truly renewable building material; grown naturally, capturing and storing carbon, being recyclable and biodegradable.

Due to being built using offsite construction in a controlled environment, it requires less energy and time spent on construction. The high level of pre-design ensures accuracy and precision so projects are completed seamlessly, without delays and with less errors extending construction times.

Net Zero Carbon Operational Energy

Timber frame buildings increase energy efficiency due to its airtightness, thermal performance and insulating qualities. With a continuous internal vapour control layer, there is less risk of air leakages; air leakage results in increased energy use.

Timber is also naturally thermally efficient and its responsiveness means it can heat quickly in the winter and stay cooler in the summer. Timber frames can achieve higher levels of insulation through thinner walls, which is increasingly important as requirements for high levels of insulation increase. By reducing the amount of heat lost from the building, the structure is much more energy efficient. Plus, timber buildings pair well with renewable heating sources like solar panels and heat pumps.

Net Zero Whole Life Carbon

The whole life carbon approach includes accounting for embodied carbon and the operational carbon, mentioned above. Embodied carbon refers to the emissions created during the construction process, from the construction materials and the life of the building itself.

Timber has the lowest embodied carbon of any building material due to it being truly renewable. When trees are cut down to create timber materials for construction, they are replaced by planting more trees. There are also plans for the UK to create a long-term supply of timber to reduce the importation and transportation of the material.

Regarding disposal, timber adopts a circular economy, so ideally no materials are wasted. Waste timber can be recycled and reused into additional building material, mulch, pulp or fuel. Plus, timber frame buildings can be dismantled at the end of their lifecycle.

Carbon Offsetting

During construction, if carbon emissions have been created, carbon dioxide or greenhouse emissions must be offset elsewhere. Whether this means during the construction process or generally throughout a company’s business operations, this is an important contribution to decarbonisation.

At Pinewood, we always look for ways to reduce our environmental impact as timber frame manufacturers. From utilising our waste timber as biofuel to installing solar panels and switching to hybrid or electric vehicles, we continually review our operations to maintain environmentally conscious practices.