An increase in large-scale wooden building projects would not only contribute to climate goals but also strengthen the domestic wood industry. Sawmills, which have long struggled with economic uncertainty, would benefit from a more stable demand for wood products. At the same time, more construction projects using wood could create jobs and provide an economic boost to Finland’s forestry sector.
The leading Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat recently reported that the city of Turku’s goal to become carbon neutral by 2029 still requires significant efforts. The role of forests as carbon sinks has proven to be an uncertain factor in climate policy, both nationally and within the European Union. However, this does not mean that forest management should be neglected. On the contrary, Turun Sanomat emphasizes the importance of actively maintaining forests to ensure sustained long-term growth.
Cities like Turku have an effective and readily available method of influencing the climate: promoting wood construction. Through political guidance, construction can be made more climate-friendly. Wood is an excellent material for energy-efficient, ecological, and carbon-neutral buildings. As the proportion of wooden buildings increases, they serve as long-term carbon storage and technical carbon sinks.
Concrete goals needed for wood construction
The next step is to ensure that strategies are implemented in actual decision-making, whether in urban planning, climate action plans, or building regulations. By giving wood construction a central role in these processes, municipalities can actively contribute to reducing the environmental impact of the construction sector.
Larger wooden buildings can strengthen the sawmill industry
In Finland, the importance of promoting wood construction is often discussed, yet in practice, the use of sawn timber in the construction sector has declined. Twenty years ago, annual consumption exceeded five million cubic meters, whereas today, it has dropped to two million. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity.
Investing in wood construction is environmentally and economically sustainable. With the right policies, municipalities, construction companies, and the forestry industry can collaborate to create a greener future.
Source: Sahateollisuus (The Finnish Sawmill Industry Association)