world news - 29.11.2007
Welsh timber sector gears up for zero carbon homes
The Welsh timber sector is all set to help the Welsh Assembly
Government meet its target of making all new buildings zero carbon by
2011. “Timber can provide energy efficient
buildings at affordable cost. It is a natural sustainable material
which inherently boasts very good insulation properties,” said Carey
Lewis of WKW. “To build sustainably we have to build differently,
and that means looking at a range of options – but it is interesting
that both here and across Europe the most energy efficient buildings
are constructed of wood.” Already five of the seven low carbon buildings at the Building Research Establishment innovation park are built out of timber. And
Wood Knowledge Wales is using the wealth of information and knowledge
gathered by the Forestry Commission Wales led GATE – gaining added
value from timber in Europe project to help guide the timber sector. Building for zero carbon means increasing air tightness to 1
m3/ph/m2 — current buildings regs are 10 – with U values of 0.15 or
less for the shell, and 0.8 for window which, coupled with reduced cold
bridging, can reduce space heating costs by 50 per cent. “Across
Europe there are already many innovative timber ideas which can make a
real difference to the energy efficiency of buildings. Welsh companies
too are developing energy efficient doors and windows, a new post and
beam construction system, closed panels, cladding, joinery and more. “Now
we are working with these innovators and the rest of the building and
construction industry to get these vital new components from Wales
incorporated into designs across Wales,” he added. Using local
timber for local buildings has other benefits too. Already more than
16,500 people are employed in Wales in diverse businesses from woodland
management and harvesting to bespoke joinery and construction.Increased
use of Welsh timber in construction would provide a boost to the
industry, as well as reducing the carbon footprint of construction by
reducing the ‘timber miles’ involved in imported materials. “Making
more use of Welsh timber in Wales makes financial and ecological sense.
We can offer the flexibility of design on the spot as well as a range
of materials and ideas which can make energy saving, sustainable zero
carbon buildings a reality,” Carey added.
Wales's thriving timber industry sees a massive opportunity for
companies to be market leaders in low carbon building – boosting income
and creating new jobs
The
plan is to help the 1700 wood related companies across Wales play a
crucial role in developing new ways in which timber can make the
ambitious target a reality.
See also:
- — Buildings make the effects of the programme to promote wood construction visible
- — More Than 1 Billion Trees Planted in 2007 — UN
- — Rosleshoz Offers to Increase Round Timber Export Duty Five Times
- — Finland:PM Links Russian Wood Tariffs with Greenhouse Emission Goals
- — EU directive urges stop for new deciduous forests in Denmark