Making the construction sector more sustainable requires stakeholders' involvement: they should understand and support the shift towards circular practices, see how the transition may impact them, and have the opportunity to voice concerns about these potential changes.
WoodStock identifies
- which changes in the policy and business landscape are needed and how relevant stakeholders in the sector may contribute to them
- how these changes affect the wood construction sector and wider society
- how governments can help by setting a good example, offering rewards, and creating supportive policies
We employ a transdisciplinary approach. Our methodology incorporates desk research, multi-actor workshops and focus interviews.
Nhat Strøm-Andersen
project partner NIBIO
Towards a sustainable wood construction sector
Policy, standards, and business strategies
Co-creation workshops will be organised in six Living Labs. Ten semi-structured interviews will be carried out in each Living Lab to follow up on important discussions from the workshop. Stakeholder perspectives on the efficacy of policies, business strategies, standards and norms related to underutilised timber in construction will be collected to identify opportunities for innovations.
Based on the desktop research and Living Labs activities, PESTLE analysis (Political, Economic, Sociological, Technological, Legal, and Environmental) will be applied to examine critical external factors that may impact the transition. This analysis is integrated with a sector-wide SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats), allowing for comparisons across participating countries. Additionally, we employ hotspot analysis to identify and prioritise areas of interest, such as underutilised timber in the wood construction sector, for more in-depth examination or intervention.
Climate-smart business strategies
New, circular business models, including product-as-a-service, timber leasing, community wood banks and custom product design from underutilised wood, will be investigated to develop climate-smart business strategies, as well as knowledge and skill gaps for circular and underutilised wood usage.
New business models will be explored that emphasise circularity, such as
- product-as-a-service (PaaS), where companies maintain ownership of products and materials
- green or circular timber leasing models, proposing the adoption of leasing models for timber components utilised in construction projects, fostering a circular approach
- community/regional wood banks where individuals and businesses can donate or exchange underutilised wood and connect suppliers of underutilised wood with potential buyers. We will develop a digital map of the local wood banks and markets, i.e., community-driven business models
- business models that design and manufacture custom products, such as furniture, or architectural elements, using underutilised wood; this may involve traditional craft skills, add value to reclaimed materials and appeal to consumers seeking unique, sustainable items
In addition, WoodStock will study strategies of existing businesses in the wood construction sector aimed at transforming toward sustainable and circular practices.
Standards and norms
Standards and norms covering various aspects of wood construction (quality, structure, safety, durability, fire resistance, etc.) will be examined, focusing on disparities between policy objectives and practical implementation, with case studies in Ireland and Norway. In addition, production norms and standards for assessing the ecological effects, climate adaptation and climate footprint of buildings which do not account for all benefits of wood will be addressed.
The purchasing power of public organsations to champion sustainable, circular, and responsible sourcing of wood products will be analysed and a guideline for incorporating wood in Sustainable Public Procurement will be developed.
Roadmap to the future
The roadmap for mainstreaming the use of timber in multi-storey buildings will be informed by and coordinated with the already existing roadmaps at the European and national levels (e.g., WorldGBC EU Policy Whole Life Carbon Roadmap for the built environment and EU roadmap for moving to a competitive low-carbon economy in 2050), future roadmaps (e.g., EU 2050 roadmap for reducing whole life-cycle carbon emissions in buildings by DG Environment) and with changes in the Construction Products Regulation and the Level(s) framework, as well as EU directives.
The roadmap will be co-created in the Living Labs and WoodStock will advise and review it. In forming the roadmap, consideration will be given to wood supply and demand, insurance issues, building safety, labour and skills, local and national regulations, carbon certification, public perception, standardisation and certification, and other issues identified through the consultation mechanisms.
