Timber up for the Carbon Challenge

The UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA) has today welcomed the Carbon Challenge.

Launched by English Partnerships and backed by the Government, the challenge is for house builders across Europe to build zero carbon and low carbon homes.

Stewart Dalgarno, Chairman of the UKTFA expects a lot of calls from those who decide to enter the challenge. 

He said: " Timber has the lowest carbon cost of any mainstream building material, even allowing for transport.  In contrast, the impact of extracting, refining, processing and manufacture of other building materials like concrete and steel is incredibly high, accounting for more than 10% of global annual greenhouse gas emissions.

He added:
 
"The carbon dioxide emissions from a single timber frame three bed detached home are 16.5% less than its brick and block equivalent, and new research shows that it is possible to achieve up to 86% reduction in greenhouse gases simply by increasing the amount of timber specified in buildings.”