Building new homes from timber could save about 10 per cent of the world’s carbon budget which is needed to limit global warming to 2 degrees according to a new study from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research.
This research clearly demonstrates that increasing use of timber and fibre is critical to fighting climate change and that we need more sustainable forestry, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) Ross Hampton said.
The study found if 90 per cent of the world’s new urban population is housed in new timber mid-rise buildings – 106 gigatonnes of CO2 could be saved by 2100.
“Australia and the world is turning more and more to timber and fibre products to fight climate change and improve the state of the environment. This is why we must get one billion new production trees planted locally by 2030 to meet Australia’s future needs, to allow a greater take-up in mid and large-scale timber construction,” Ross Hampton said.
“It’s also why Australia must lead the world on promoting sustainable forest practices, including reducing deforestation, enhancing sustainable native forest management, and growing plantations. This is all required to feed world demand over the next century.
“Timber and fibre is a major part of the climate change solution and governments need to recognise that. The world wants timber and fibre and the trees that produce timber and fibre lock away carbon. We can solve two local and global problems by growing more trees and engaging in sustainable forestry – providing much needed essential products and fighting climate change,” Ross Hampton concluded.
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