Prime Minister urged to tap sustainable timber industry to tackle housing crisis

Government roadmap aims to triple domestic timber use by 2050

The UK government has published a new construction strategy that treats homegrown timber as a strategic resource for solving the housing crisis. More than 80% of the country’s timber demand is currently met by imports. Ministers want that figure to change significantly over the next 25 years.

The Timber in Construction Roadmap sets out how the government plans to increase domestic supply, improve skills across the forestry and processing sectors, and make timber a core part of modern housebuilding. The strategy supports the government’s commitment to deliver 1.5 million homes this Parliament. It also addresses fire safety, durability concerns, and the need for better data on timber supply chains.

For UK businesses, this represents a shift in how construction materials are sourced and specified. Timber has traditionally been seen as a niche option. The new roadmap positions it as a renewable, low-carbon resource that can reduce the embodied carbon of new buildings while supporting rural jobs and domestic manufacturing capacity.

Three policy goals converge on one material

The roadmap sits at the intersection of housing delivery, industrial strategy, and climate targets. Each of these policy areas is under pressure. The government needs to build more homes faster. It also needs to reduce the carbon footprint of construction and create economic opportunities outside major cities.

Timber offers a potential solution to all three challenges. Growing and processing more timber domestically can reduce reliance on imported materials. It can also support jobs in forestry, sawmilling, and engineered timber manufacturing. These are sectors that operate primarily in rural areas where employment options are often limited.

From a carbon perspective, timber stores carbon as it grows. When used in construction, it locks that carbon into buildings for decades. The Confederation of Timber Industries has told Parliament that increasing timber use is one of the fastest ways to cut embodied carbon in construction. Embodied carbon refers to the emissions produced during the manufacture and transport of building materials.

The roadmap acknowledges that the UK’s current woodland cover is low by international standards. Tree canopy and woodland cover stood at 14.5% in 2024. The government wants that figure to reach 16.5% by 2050. That increase would expand the domestic timber supply and create additional environmental benefits, including improved biodiversity and flood management.

Import dependence creates supply chain risk

The UK’s heavy reliance on imported timber has long been a concern for industry bodies. More than 80% of demand is currently met from overseas. This creates exposure to international price fluctuations, supply disruptions, and currency movements. It also means the UK misses out on the economic value of processing timber domestically.

Import dependence also has carbon implications. Transporting timber from Scandinavia, North America, or Eastern Europe adds significantly to the overall carbon footprint of construction projects. Using homegrown timber can reduce transport emissions and improve supply chain transparency. It also makes it easier for businesses to verify sustainability credentials, which is increasingly important for public sector tenders and ESG reporting.

The roadmap identifies expanding sustainable timber supply as a priority area. The government has committed to improving data on timber use and conducting a full audit of the supply chain by 2028. This work will help identify bottlenecks, capacity constraints, and investment needs across the sector.

Skills, safety, and processing capacity need attention

Increasing domestic timber production requires more than just planting trees. The UK needs a stronger processing industry to turn raw timber into construction-ready products. It also needs skilled workers across the supply chain, from forest management to sawmilling and fabrication.

The roadmap recognises that skills development is essential. Many of the roles required to support a larger timber industry are in short supply. This includes forestry technicians, timber graders, and engineers who can design and specify timber structures. Without investment in training, the sector will struggle to scale up production even if raw material supply increases.

Fire safety and durability are also addressed in the roadmap. Timber construction has faced scrutiny in recent years, particularly following the Grenfell Tower fire. The government is working with insurers, lenders, and warranty providers to build confidence in timber building methods. This includes supporting research into fire-resistant treatments and design standards that meet Building Regulations.

Engineered mass timber products, such as cross-laminated timber and glulam beams, are highlighted as areas for innovation. These materials allow timber to be used in larger, taller buildings than traditional timber framing. They also offer performance characteristics that compete with steel and concrete in many applications. However, they require significant capital investment in manufacturing facilities and specialist equipment.

What the roadmap means for construction and property businesses

The shift towards greater timber use will affect procurement decisions, supply chain planning, and project design. Businesses involved in housebuilding, commercial development, or public sector construction should expect to see timber specified more frequently in the coming years.

For contractors and developers, this means engaging with new supply chains and potentially retraining staff. Timber construction requires different skills and techniques compared to traditional masonry or concrete methods. It also requires tighter coordination between design, manufacturing, and assembly, particularly for off-site construction approaches.

Public sector clients are likely to include timber use as a criterion in tender evaluations. This is already happening in some areas, particularly where local authorities are targeting lower embodied carbon in new buildings. Businesses that can demonstrate timber expertise and access to sustainable supply chains will have a competitive advantage.

There are also implications for carbon reporting. As more businesses commit to net-zero targets, reducing embodied carbon in construction becomes a priority. Timber can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of a building compared to conventional materials. However, businesses will need to provide verifiable data on timber sourcing, processing, and transport to support carbon reduction claims.

The roadmap’s emphasis on modern methods of construction also matters. Timber is well-suited to off-site manufacturing, where building components are fabricated in controlled factory conditions and then assembled on site. This approach can reduce construction time, improve quality, and minimise waste. It also aligns with government efforts to industrialise housebuilding and improve productivity.

Carbon measurement and supply chain transparency will become priorities

One of the challenges the timber industry faces is the lack of standardised data on carbon performance. Different timber products have different carbon profiles depending on where they are grown, how they are processed, and how far they are transported. The roadmap acknowledges this and commits to improving carbon measurement across the supply chain.

For businesses, this means greater scrutiny of material sourcing decisions. Clients and regulators will increasingly expect detailed information on the carbon footprint of timber used in construction projects. This will require better collaboration between suppliers, processors, and construction companies to track emissions at every stage.

Supply chain transparency is also important for sustainability certification. Many public sector contracts and corporate procurement policies now require timber to come from certified sustainable sources. The roadmap supports this by emphasising the importance of legal and sustainable timber sourcing. Businesses that cannot demonstrate compliance with these standards will find it harder to compete for contracts.

The government’s plan to audit the timber supply chain by 2028 will provide more detailed information on capacity, bottlenecks, and investment needs. This should help businesses make more informed decisions about where to source materials and where to invest in processing capabilities. It may also highlight opportunities for new entrants in areas such as sawmilling, drying, and engineered timber production.

Policy support for timber aligns with broader decarbonisation efforts

The Timber in Construction Roadmap is part of a wider government effort to reduce emissions from the built environment. Construction is one of the largest sources of carbon emissions in the UK, both from the energy used in buildings and from the materials used to construct them. Shifting to lower-carbon materials is essential for meeting the UK’s net-zero targets.

Timber fits into this picture because it is a renewable resource that stores carbon. When timber is harvested sustainably and replanted, it creates a carbon cycle that can be repeated indefinitely. This contrasts with materials like steel and concrete, which have high embodied carbon and rely on finite resources.

However, the carbon benefits of timber depend on how it is managed. Poorly managed forests can become carbon sources rather than carbon sinks. The roadmap emphasises sustainable forestry practices and the importance of replanting to ensure long-term carbon benefits. Businesses using timber in construction will need to ensure their supply chains meet these standards.

The roadmap also supports rural economic development. Forestry and timber processing are concentrated in rural areas, particularly in Scotland, Wales, and parts of northern England. Expanding these sectors can create jobs and investment in regions that have traditionally struggled economically. This aligns with the government’s levelling-up agenda and its focus on regional economic growth.

Supply chain expansion requires investment and coordination

For the roadmap to succeed, significant investment will be needed in forestry, processing facilities, and skills development. The UK currently lacks the capacity to process large volumes of homegrown timber into construction-ready products. Many sawmills and processing plants closed during the decline of the UK timber industry in recent decades.

Rebuilding this capacity will require both public and private investment. The government has committed to supporting innovation in engineered mass timber and improving collaboration across the supply chain. However, much of the capital investment will need to come from private sector companies willing to back long-term forestry and manufacturing projects.

There are also regulatory and planning challenges to address. Expanding woodland cover requires land-use decisions that balance forestry with agriculture, conservation, and other priorities. Processing facilities need planning permission and infrastructure support. The roadmap acknowledges these challenges but does not provide detailed solutions, which suggests they will need to be worked out at local and regional levels.

Coordination between government, industry, and financial institutions will be essential. Timber projects often have long payback periods, which can make them unattractive to investors seeking quick returns. The government’s role in de-risking investment through policy support, data provision, and regulatory clarity will be important for unlocking private capital.

Key facts from the Timber in Construction Roadmap

• The UK government has committed to delivering 1.5 million homes this Parliament and will use timber in modern methods of construction to support this target.
• Tree canopy and woodland cover in the UK stood at 14.5% in 2024, with a government target to increase this to 16.5% by 2050.
• More than 80% of UK timber demand is currently met by imports, creating supply chain risks and higher carbon emissions from transport.
• The government plans to conduct a full audit of the timber supply chain by 2028 to identify capacity constraints and investment needs.
• Timber construction can significantly reduce embodied carbon in buildings, particularly when using engineered mass timber products such as cross-laminated timber.
• The roadmap prioritises expanding sustainable timber supply, improving skills across the forestry and processing sectors, and addressing fire safety and durability concerns.

How businesses should respond to the roadmap

Companies involved in construction, property development, or public sector supply chains should start preparing for greater timber use now. This includes engaging with timber suppliers, understanding the performance characteristics of different timber products, and building internal expertise on timber construction methods.

For businesses with net-zero commitments and carbon reporting obligations, timber offers a clear opportunity to reduce embodied carbon in construction projects. However, this requires accurate data on timber sourcing and processing. Working with suppliers who can provide verified carbon footprint information will be essential for credible reporting.

Businesses tendering for public sector contracts should expect timber use to become a more common requirement. Local authorities and government departments are increasingly using procurement to drive carbon reduction. Demonstrating timber expertise and access to sustainable supply chains can improve competitiveness in these tenders.

There may also be opportunities for businesses to invest in timber processing capacity or form partnerships with forestry and manufacturing companies. The roadmap signals long-term government support for the sector, which reduces some of the commercial risk associated with these investments. However, careful due diligence will be needed to assess market demand, processing costs, and regulatory requirements.

Training and skills development should also be a priority. The timber industry will need workers with specialist knowledge in areas such as timber grading, structural design, and off-site manufacturing. Businesses that invest in training now will be better positioned to take advantage of growth in the sector. SBS Academy offers training on sustainability topics relevant to construction and supply chain management.

Long-term policy stability will determine industry growth

The success of the Timber in Construction Roadmap depends on sustained political and financial support over the next two decades. Forestry projects require long investment horizons, often spanning 30 to 50 years. Processing facilities need confidence in future demand to justify capital expenditure. Without policy stability, private investment will remain cautious.

The roadmap represents a positive signal from government, but it will need to be backed up with detailed implementation plans, funding commitments, and regulatory support. The planned supply chain audit in 2028 will be an important milestone. It should provide the data needed to inform targeted interventions and investment priorities.

For UK businesses, the roadmap creates both opportunities and obligations. Those that engage early with timber supply chains and build expertise in low-carbon construction methods will be well-placed to benefit from policy changes and market demand. Those that wait may find themselves at a disadvantage as clients and regulators increasingly prioritise carbon reduction.

The shift towards greater timber use is part of a broader transformation in how the UK builds homes and commercial properties. Materials, methods, and supply chains are all changing in response to climate targets and housing pressures. Businesses that understand these changes and adapt their strategies accordingly will be better prepared for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Where to find further information

The government has published detailed guidance and policy documents on timber in construction. The Timber in Construction Roadmap is available on the gov.uk website. It sets out the government’s vision, priority areas, and planned actions for increasing timber use over the next 25 years.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero provides information on net-zero policy and carbon reduction targets relevant to construction and industry. Businesses looking to understand how timber fits into wider decarbonisation efforts should review these resources.

For information on sustainable forestry standards and certification, the Forest Research agency offers technical guidance and data on UK woodland management. This includes information on carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and sustainable harvesting practices.

The Timber Trade Federation represents businesses across the timber supply chain and provides industry updates, technical guidance, and policy commentary. The Confederation of Timber Industries also publishes reports and briefings on timber construction and carbon performance.