The UK forestry and wood industry is experiencing a pivotal moment, described as a “Goldilocks moment” where conditions are “just right” to align industry aspirations with government policies, as highlighted during Confor’s annual Westminster conference.
Stuart Goodall, CEO of Confor, expressed optimism about the industry’s potential to deliver on economic, environmental, and social priorities for the UK Government. However, he emphasised the need for policy certainty and government support to unlock this potential. He voiced hope that the Labour Government would continue the positive trajectory established by Conservative ministers, particularly through initiatives such as the Timber in Construction Roadmap and the National Wood Strategy for England. Clear political backing and secure funding for woodland creation and a stable operating environment would be vital, he said.
Mary Creagh MP, whose ministerial brief includes forestry, reiterated her commitment to expanding productive conifer planting and increasing the use of home-grown wood in construction. During her address, she praised the previous government’s efforts, noting that tree planting in England had scaled up to 4,500 hectares in 2023-24 as part of a broader UK total of just over 20,000 hectares—a generational high.
Creagh highlighted the Labour Government’s pledge to build 1.5 million new homes in its first term, stating: “This will grow demand for the safe and sustainable use of timber in construction and help reduce embodied carbon in the built environment.” She noted that this shift could also reduce timber imports, which currently account for 80% of the UK’s wood products, and “create new green jobs in the nations and regions”. She added that only 10% of current planting consists of conifers and called for this figure to increase, while also stressing the need for improved management of broadleaf and mixed woodlands.
In her remarks, Creagh also expressed optimism about re-endorsing the Timber in Construction Roadmap, saying she hoped for “good news early in the New Year”. She urged collaboration among government, industry, landowners, and communities to achieve shared goals for a “healthy, resilient and bountiful natural environment”.
Timber in Construction Gains Momentum
Paul Brannen, author of Timber! How Wood Can Help Save the World from Climate Breakdown, echoed the importance of timber in meeting carbon reduction goals. He noted that concrete, responsible for 8% of global carbon emissions, should be replaced with timber wherever possible. He described timber’s triple-S benefits—sequestration (carbon capture by trees), storage (in wood products), and substitution (replacing carbon-intensive materials such as concrete and steel)—as a compelling case for its increased use in construction.
Brannen noted advancements in timber construction, referencing Norway’s 18-storey timber building, the world’s tallest, as evidence of timber’s viability for most types of construction. However, he warned that scaling up timber use requires a commitment to sustainable timber production.
Alex Goodfellow, CEO of Donaldson Offsite, highlighted the housing market’s increasing shift towards timber, pointing out that around 50% of homes built in England in 2024 had some timber frame component. He urged government support to embed carbon considerations in building regulations, adding, “The market has already decided the direction of travel.”
Collaboration Key to Industry Growth
Richard Stanford, CEO of the Forestry Commission, affirmed the sector’s capacity to support key government missions, including achieving net zero, nature recovery, and flood risk reduction. Confor Chair Lord Duncan echoed this sentiment, stating: “This is our Goldilocks moment. Conditions are just right—forestry is the answer to so many questions.”
Stuart Goodall emphasised the significant influence of government decisions on the industry, pointing to a net loss of 37,000 hectares of conifers under Conservative governments from 2010 to 2024. While acknowledging recent improvements in policy, Goodall urged continuity and a stable operating environment to foster confidence within the sector. He said, “We need strong, clear political support, a stable operating environment and secure funding for woodland creation, and for sustainable management of our existing woodland.”
He concluded with a call for urgent action: “We have to change the narrative from demand for home-grown timber going up significantly—and timber supply falling in the medium term—to one of action. There’s a big prize there that we’re inching towards, and we have to pick up the pace!”
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