Wood is the only truly sustainable and renewable building material. By choosing to build with sustainable timber, businesses are helping to preserve and grow the worlds forests, and combat climate change.
Trees absorbs carbon dioxide while they grow, turning carbon into wood and emitting oxygen. This carbon is stored in wood until it is released either by natural causes or through combustion.
For every tree harvested, many more are then planted in it’s place. Research has shown these kinds of managed forests have the ability to absorb much more carbon dioxide in the long term compared to unmanaged forests.
Together with the preservation of ancient forests, these managed forests are also able to support the biodiversity of the planet, with planting guidelines setting aside as much as 15% for ‘natural’ forest.
Around the world this has lead to some incredible success stories. One of the most significant is the preservation of the gorillas in the Congo by the actions of Interholco, who provide a livelihood, and place a value on the forest, to prevent deforestation.
The worlds forests are an incredible natural resource. However, we need to work together to preserve them against deforestation. The most common threat worldwide to forests is conversion to agricultural use.
This is why the Timber Trade Federation and our members collaborate with government, NGOs, and businesses around the world to promote better forest governance and grow the use of sustainable timber.