Timber Adoption at Scale: New Report by FAO and Bauhaus Earth

Modeling a Dual Climate Effect

By utilising the Forest Resource Outlook Model (FOROM), our researchers projected how increasing the use of mass timber in urban construction could mitigate climate change through a powerful dual effect: direct, long-term carbon storage within the material itself, and the displacement of high-emission alternatives like steel and concrete.

Under a conservative 20% adoption scenario for new residential buildings, the global system could save up to 10.9 Gt CO2eq until 2070. Remarkably, 59% of this environmental benefit stems from carbon safely locked away in the wood structures, while 41% comes from avoided manufacturing emissions.

To achieve timber adoption at scale and prevent supply-demand imbalances, the report outlines a clear roadmap: prioritising strict material circularity, maintaining open international trade, and seamlessly integrating wood-based architecture into national decarbonisation frameworks.

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"Replacing carbon-intensive construction materials with engineered wood products could transform the building sector into a major player for global climate mitigation. But to unlock this potential, policymakers must act now — updating building codes, creating market incentives, and enforcing regulations against deforestation." Philipp Misselwitz, CEO Bauhaus Earth

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Mapping Global Supply and Demand

The research evaluates multiple socioeconomic scenarios through 2070, indicating that urban demand for EWPs could grow by 50 to 250 million m³ by mid-century. While fast-growing urban centres across Asia and Africa are set to drive this massive future demand, Europe and South America are projected to emerge as essential supply hubs.

To prevent supply-demand imbalances, the report outlines a clear roadmap: prioritising strict material circularity, maintaining open international trade, and seamlessly integrating wood-based architecture into national decarbonisation frameworks.
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Funded by the European Union

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Authors: Reck, B.K.; Johnston, C.; Foong, A.; Gupta, A.; Karpov, A.; Holsten, A.; Misselwitz, P.; Keenan, R.J.; Formenton Cardoso, N.; Walter, S.; Bull, L.; Steel, E.A.;