As featured by PEFC International
Timber as a construction material can do so much more than meets the eye. It looks good and is easy to work with, but also brings enormous benefits for our planet. Did you know that global CO2 emissions could be reduced by 31% if builders used wood instead of steel and concrete?
To highlight outstanding constructions using timber from a sustainable source, PEFC and the World Architecture Festival are awarding the Best Use of Certified Timber Prize for the third time this year. Entries are open until 14 August.
If you are an architect or project team and have used certified timber as the main construction material in one of your buildings, submit your project now!
Why use timber in construction?
Concrete, steel, cement and glass are among the most frequently used construction materials. But there is a problem: they emit enormous amounts of carbon, making the building and construction sector responsible for 39% of all carbon emissions in the world.
Wood does just the opposite: rather than emitting carbon, it stores it. Using wood for construction saves about 40% of carbon emissions in comparison to concrete, and 30% in comparison to steel.
As trees grow, they absorb CO2 and store it as carbon in their biomass. The carbon remains there, even after the trees have been felled. A cubic metre of wood contains around a tonne of CO2. This is equivalent to 350 litres of gasoline. Building with wood can therefore significantly reduce our carbon footprint.
Building with wood clearly has many benefits, but this is only if it comes from a sustainable source. PEFC certification gives you the assurance that the sourced timber comes from sustainably managed forests. Through PEFC project certification, you can clearly and reliably demonstrate your decision to build with PEFC-certified timber.
Best Use of Certified Timber Prize – submit your project now!
Supported by PEFC, the Best Use of Certified Timber Prize awards architects and project teams that have used certified timber in an innovative, educational or artistic manner.
The 13th World Architecture Festival will take place in Lisbon from 2-4 December 2020. The winner will be announced at a Gala Dinner on Friday 4 December.
Are you interested? Make sure to submit your project before 14 August!
Design the Future with Sustainable Timber
Sustainable construction is on the rise, and across the world, the architecture community is embracing solid and engineered wood for their constructions.
Under the theme Designing the Future with Sustainable Timber, a range of stakeholders have come together under the leadership of PEFC to promote the use of wood in construction in general and certified wood in particular. Join us! Contact us at [email protected]
Responsible Wood is the National Governing Body for PEFC in Australia. For more information about PEFC please visit the PEFC website.