Dr. Michael Burnard, InnoRenew CoE Deputy Director, spoke at the European Economic and Social Committee that is elaborating an exploratory opinion on Wooden construction for CO2 reduction in building sector at the request of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Dr. Burnard took part in the discussion of the panel on “The environmental, societal and social challenges and advantages of wood materials and engineered wood products”, where he discussed the importance of optimizing building design for human health and social impacts in addition to carbon and energy efficiency.

The purpose of the event was to bring together representatives of European institutions, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to explore the potential of sustainable timber construction in line with the EU’s goal of climate neutrality. The opinions presented at the event will be considered and a consensus will be targeted for the March European Economic and Social Committee Plenary Session. The discussion at the event focused on the role of wood construction in EU proposals such as Sustainable carbon cycles, the EU’s bioeconomy strategy and the New European Bauhaus.

Panelists and the committee considered how wood can be used to drastically reduce construction-related CO2 emissions, store CO2, make construction more efficient and how wood can be used to improve the aesthetic and comfort quality of the built environment.