The use of renewable resources such as wood has been gaining popularity as individuals, businesses, and government become more aware of the importance of our climate goals. New research from Bangor University in Wales has shed some light on how this growing want and need for wood must be met locally. 

The UK is the second largest importer of wood in the world 

A mere 20% of the UK’s wood demand is from local, UK-grown sources – the remaining 80% is imported. These imports span across the globe and exposes the UK to instabilities when markets shift or major world events – such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – create difficulties with supply chains and increased prices. 

Such heavy reliance on timber from overseas and the economic and supply chain risks that follow have been felt in recent years – but one aspect that is more subtle and may not be felt until it is too late is one of the most important: climate change efforts. 

Imported wood and its climate change impacts 

Whilst the increased use of wood is a positive and preferred over a reliance on fossil fuels, new research suggests that by heavily importing wood – rather than growing it at home – we are simply shifting environmental impacts elsewhere. 

Wood sourced from overseas can be sustainably certified (although recent research has raised some concerns about these certifications and gave opportunities for these to be made even more robust), but as the sourcing, harvesting, processing, and transporting of the wood is out of the UK’s control, we cannot guarantee the full environmental impact of this wood is minimised. 

Even when imported wood is sustainably certified and the supplier follows best practices to minimise their carbon output during sourcing, harvesting, processing, and transporting their timber, the miles that the wood has to travel will always be much higher – and carbon-producing – in comparison to wood transported within the UK. 

How can the UK increase its wood use, yet reduce its imports? 

The research team from Bangor University sought to answer this question, creating a model that will helps the UK increase its wood use and its locally grown timber – all whilst decreasing imports. 

This model is created with three important factors:  

• How much wood is the UK likely to need as our use increases and the use of non-renewable resources decreases 

• How much wood is the UK able to grow, and will this be enough for our uses 

• What are the consequences of falling short and having to import extra timber 

Balancing wood demand rising and minimising carbon output is found in the model to have four key requirements: 

1. More productive forests must be planted, and existing ones must be improved – trees that can grow fast to meet our demands, whilst also being resilient and diverse, are necessary to ensure we have the supplies we need for rising demands. 
2. Better, wider woodland management – this will allow for stronger, more resilient forests, aligning with a recent report by the Woodland Trust 
3. Understand where wood supplies are being used – wider use of wood in construction ensures carbon is stored for longer, with the remaining waste wood being used as wood fuel for heating homes across the UK 
4. Prioritise necessitated imports from sustainably certified sources – wood from areas that may be poorly managed or even smuggled would hinder the UK’s efforts 

Stronger industry, less carbon 

With the current state of the UK’s woodlands and the poor coverage across, it is evidently clear that we can do better – and supply more wood locally. This wood helps climate efforts as it allows the UK to meet climate goals and rely much less on non-renewable resources such as plastic and fossil fuels, whilst also strengthening one of our most underutilised resources – our trees. 

Sustainably managed woodlands and investment into our forests will create a self-sustaining industry that is incentivised to minimise carbon emissions. This will reduce our imports, reduce our use of non-renewable resources, and strengthen a burgeoning sector. 

What’s next? 

Researchers found three major challenges that will need to be overcome for wood to play this meaningful role it is suitable to fill: 

1. Productive, well-managed conifer forests have largely plateaued in recent decades – future forest creation efforts and woodland management will need to focus on how we can meet our harvest requirements in the distant future before it is too late. 
2. Forests need to be strengthened, and more well-managed – this will enable UK forestry to withstand any challenges that may arise from pests, diseases, or drought. 
3. Waste needs to be minimised, and that waste needs to be used well – wood products that can be reused must be reused as much as possible, and waste wood – namely wood fuel – must be used effectively to provide as much heat as possible.