Timber and concrete sustainability study

Which is better for holistic sustainability, timber or concrete?

A deceptively simple question from a client prompted this study, which highlights the varied impacts of material supply chains and how much there is to learn.

To properly address sustainability and resilience of the built environment, we need to better grasp the holistic impacts of structural materials. Understanding the impacts beyond “carbon” or “net zero” is vital, but uncommon, as the industry lacks the experience, language and metrics by which to undertake this work.

The risk of missing a benefit or doing unintended environmental harm is reduced when multiple sustainability aspects, such as biodiversity and social value, are considered alongside the more traditional carbon accounting.

This study by HTS and KLH Sustainability looks at timber and concrete as structural materials within the context of the UK construction industry, exploring their benefits and drawbacks under the following five sustainability themes:

                    
                Sustainability themes            
        
                        1                    
                    
                        Biodiversity                    
                
                        2                    
                    
                        Embodied carbon/net zero                    
                
                        3                    
                    
                        Health and wellbeing                    
                
                        4                    
                    
                        Social value                    
                
                        5                    
                    
                        Circularity

The study identifies that in the context of the above, neither material is without its drawbacks. This highlights the importance of closely assessing different materials on an individual building or use basis.

Authors: David Miller, Laura Batty, Francisca Briota, Benjamin Brown and KLH Sustainability

This study was requested by Muse as part of our ongoing work together.

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