A coalition of 17 countries, responsible for 26% of the global timber production, have signed a historic pledge to accelerate the number of timber buildings constructed worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Known as the “Initiative for Greening Construction with Sustainable Wood”, the pledge was signed by leaders from Australia, Canada, the Congo, Costa Rica, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Japan, Kenya, Norway, Pakistan, Sweden, Ireland, UK and the USA at COP28 in Dubai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The countries, along with Brazil, Russia, India and China, represent the world’s largest forest markets with the pledge committing the coalition too:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n“Recognising that wood from sustainably managed forests provides climate solutions within the construction sector, we commit to, by 2030, advancing policies and approaches that support low carbon construction and increase the use of wood from sustainably managed forests in the built environment. Such policies and approaches will reduce GHG emissions and increase stored carbon.”<\/em><\/p>\nThe Initiative for Greening Construction with Sustainable Wood pledge<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The pledge, made under the auspices of the<\/em> <\/em>Forest & Climate Leaders’ Partnership (FCLP) <\/a>and in close liaison with the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction<\/a>, was co-chaired by US Special Presidential Climate Envoy, John Kerry and the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources for Ghana, Samuel Jinapor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It “recognises that wood from sustainably managed forests provide climate solutions within the construction sector,” with the group committed to “increase the use of wood from sustainably managed forests in the built environment.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Significantly, it will support and promote the use of timber from “sustainable sources”, which includes PEFC, FSC and affiliated national certification schemes in future government procurement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n