Forest Industries Ireland (FII) has endorsed the latest report from the Climate Change Action Committee (CCAC), which advocates for a significant shift towards timber construction in Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The CCAC emphasised the necessity of adopting greener construction methods that store carbon, rather than emitting it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Ireland needs to move to greener construction methods that store carbon rather than causing major carbon emissions,” the organisation stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The CCAC’s report also highlights a contrast between Ireland and Scotland in timber frame construction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While only 24% of new houses in Ireland use timber frames, the figure for Scotland stands at 83%. To match Scotland\u2019s level, Ireland would need an additional 200,000m\u00b3 of construction-grade wood annually, the CCAC reported. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Director of the FII, Mark McAuley, said: \u201cThe Climate Committee and government are beginning to champion timber construction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n“We have a strong supply of timber to carry us through the next ten or fifteen years but, to satisfy longer-term demand, we need to plant conifers in much higher volumes to give us construction timber for the 2040s and beyond.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
“Currently, total afforestation is running at around 2,000ha\/annum and, within that, we only get about 700ha of Sitka Spruce planted under the afforestation Scheme. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Clearly, there is a policy disconnect between a desire to build more with wood and the lack of conifer planting,” McCauley said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
FII<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The FII director stressed the need for increased conifer planting to meet future timber demands, calling for policy changes to encourage farmers to convert some of their land to commercial forestry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
McAuley also urged the Department of Agriculture to simplify access to the afforestation scheme and prioritise conifer planting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe need to treat our commercial forests as a major national asset that will enable the transition to a green construction sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“There are multiple environmental objectives for our forests but planting more \u2018Forest Type 12\u2019 (65% Sitka, 15% biodiversity area, 20% broadleaves) achieves all the objectives \u2013 it will provide valuable timber, support economic growth, and also enhance biodiversity,\u201d McAuley added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Forestry portfolios<\/h2>\n\n\n\n