How Can European Cities Grow While Positively Impacting the Natural Environment?

Urban growth and environmental sustainability often appear at odds with each other. Cities need constant supplies of materials for their construction and renewal, but many are also committed to reducing their environmental impact and cutting down greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The construction sector alone contributes more than 11% of global emissions, making it clear that “business as usual” cannot meet both urban expansion and environmental goals.

This is where innovative solutions, like Sustainable Wood for Cities, come in.

The Role of Sustainable Wood for Cities

Scott Francisco will be showcasing how cities can accelerate sustainable urban development through the Sustainable Wood for Cities movement at the ESCT Conference. He will be presenting at the Solutions Pitch Space on Tuesday, October 1, and we are looking for more cities to join this transformative initiative.

Challenges in Urban Development and Timber Supply Chains

The Timber Supply Crisis

Due to restrictive procurement policies, timber trade between Europe and tropical countries has dropped significantly over the past 30 years. Meanwhile, domestic timber supply chains have not been adequately developed, stunting the growth of bio-based, circular economies needed for urban sustainability.

Environmental and Economic Impact

This trend has led to long-term environmental consequences. Cities have grown more disconnected from global forests, cutting off the economic lifeline for tropical forest communities who could be essential stewards of these ecosystems.

Solutions Through Sustainable Wood for Cities

Since 2020, Sustainable Wood for Cities has partnered with European cities to pilot and test this systems-thinking solution. Here’s a glimpse of how different cities are incorporating sustainable wood practices:

• Galway, Ireland: The county council has committed to a new sustainable wood procurement policy, extending from urban infrastructure to buildings.

• Glasgow, Scotland: Conducting a city-wide material flows analysis to guide future policies on wood product usage and circular construction.

• Turin, Italy: Working with nonprofits to connect urban regeneration with conservation timber and urban wood, engaging the public in sustainable choices. A pilot for a Sustainable Wood Warehouse is also in development.

• Rotterdam, Netherlands: Collaborated with the Probos Foundation to diversify wood procurement and communicate sustainability in the "Beterbank" pilot.

• Amsterdam, Netherlands: Established a direct connection with the Surinamese forest community of Bigi Poika, pre-certifying 15,684 hectares of tropical forest and purchasing 33 m³ of high-quality timber.

• Paris, France: Co-leading the 3rd Annual Conference on the Preservation of Forests with francophone mayors and forest representatives to create city-forest partnerships.

• Georgetown, Guyana: Piloted the Conservation Timber Works Forest Covers, creating manhole covers from low-value timber sourced from community-managed forests.

With these successful pilots, Sustainable Wood for Cities is ready to support large-scale action. Cities can play a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions by selecting sustainable materials, such as bio-based wood products, for urban construction.

Benefits of Sustainable Wood for Cities:

• Lower embodied carbon in urban construction projects.

• Investment in sustainable forest management and local forest economies.

• Strengthening city-forest partnerships to promote environmental stewardship.

A Call to Action

European cities have the opportunity to become leaders in forest-positive urban development. By utilizing tools like the comprehensive decision-making process for selecting sustainable wood products, cities can align construction practices with climate goals while driving systemic change for a more sustainable urban future.

For more information on Sustainable Wood for Cities, visit citywoodguide.com.