About 45% of the UK's CO2 emissions come from buildings. The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 aims to reduce emissions by at least 80% by 2050.  In Scotland, sustainability of buildings is embedded into the building standards. These standards are constantly being increased.  The Sullivan Report made recommendations to achieve total-life zero-carbon buildings by 2030.

As the operational performance of building increases, the environmental impacts of the construction materials used become more significant. These impacts include; the use of raw materials; transportation, the resources used in manufacturing, and the emissions generated.  For timber products embodied carbon is an important green credential.  For a comparison of materials see the Inventory of Carbon and Energy prepared by Hammond and Jones of the University of Bath.

The choice of sustainable materials is not the whole story however. Building design, process and quality are also important determinants of how well the building performs - as is the way in which it is ultimately used.

Key Facts

• Timber-frame construction accounts for around 75% of all new homes in Scotland
• It costs around 5% less to build a timber-frame house, and can be built 30% quicker
• A typical timber framed house saves 4 tonnes of CO2 compared with an
  equivalent masonry house
• Timber creates less waste in its production than either brick, plastic, concrete or steel
• Modern timber windows can be designed to last 60 years if properly maintained
• Unlike metals, wood retains its strength in a fire, and doesn't sag, bend or melt
• Using timber in construction improves the sustainability of buildings.  Nowadays there is a requirement for environmental impacts to be considered when planning the materials used in construction, alongside the more traditional factors
• Opportunities exist for the forest industries in Scotland to increase their markets through the use of timber in construction, with the added bonus of helping to meet the government  targets for reduction of CO2 emmissions from buildings

Important Announcement:

MSC in Timber Engineering, Edinburgh Napier University

Aimed at training more engineers who want to work with the unique, low carbon resource that is timber. The course is unique in the UK and helps develop engineers with the diverse range of skills needed to become a competent and resourceful timber engineer (equipped with the relevant training in the : analysis, design & assessment of timber structural systems).

For further information see Edinburgh Napier University .

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Important campaigns in sustainable construction

Das Haus Tour

A North American tour and an ONGOING INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE about advanced technologies for home construction and solar energy use– devised to share German innovations that have achieved sustainable construction and operational energy savings.