Misconceptions around the suitability of timber as a major project construction material is hampering progress in in sustainable development, according to campaign group, the Time for Timber. It says insurers and investors must be more open to dialogue with the timber construction industry for the good of the economy and the environment.

Andrew Orriss from the Time for Timber campaign said major benefits are being overlooked.
"We are at a crossroads in the UK and on a global basis: we need to act now if we are going to meet our environmental obligations and timber is the primary building material that will help us do this. As well as being sustainable, replenishable and easily recycled, the adoption of timber within off-site construction and MMC techniques would have a profound effect on the wider construction market and a demonstrable reduction in the carbon footprint of projects.

“This is in harmony with the Government’s agenda of Building Back Better, with its emphasis on green initiatives, which clearly recognises that there is a need to create jobs to avoid a financial downturn. But we should be creating those jobs to ensure the green transition happens as quickly as possible, to propel us towards net zero carbon – as well as protecting communities from future environmental and economic hazards.”

Bringing together leading voices from around the construction industry, the Time for Timber campaign has been founded with the express intention of challenging these misconceptions within the financial and insurance sectors. The group has today launched a campaign at Bank underground station to help encourage dialogue between the timber construction industry, insurers and investors.

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