Comparing the environmental impact of timber vs other materials
As the built environment works towards net zero, material choice is becoming an increasingly important part of sustainable design. Every product used in construction has an environmental footprint, from raw material extraction and manufacturing to transport and disposal. Choosing materials with a lower impact can make a real difference to a building’s overall carbon performance. Timber consistently stands out as one of the most sustainable building materials.
Timber: storing carbon naturally
Timber has one of the lowest carbon footprints of any construction material. As trees grow, they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, storing it within their fibres. This carbon stays locked away for the lifetime of the timber product — and by extension, the building itself.
- 1m³ of timber can store up to 1 tonne of CO₂, helping reduce a building’s overall carbon footprint
(Source: Timber Development UK, “Sustainability Explained,” 2024)
In comparison, materials like concrete and steel are carbon-intensive to produce, requiring large amounts of energy and emitting significant CO₂ during manufacture. Choosing timber instead can dramatically cut embodied carbon from the outset.
Organisations such as FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) (FSC®-C017490) and PEFC™ (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) ensure timber is sourced from responsibly managed forests and other controlled sources. These certification schemes guarantee forests are replanted, biodiversity is protected, and local ecosystems thrive, creating a continuous, sustainable supply of wood for future generations. Timber is therefore not only renewable but regenerative.
You can download our Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for independently verified, standardised data about the lifecycle of our products and their embodied environmental impact.
Manufacturing matters
Due to their different manufacturing processes, wood products result in far fewer carbon emissions than either steel or concrete. While heavy industries such as steel and concrete are working to decarbonise, most production still relies on carbon-intensive processes.
In contrast, many timber manufacturers — including Russwood — use renewable energy and circular systems to power operations. Our biomass boilers, photovoltaic panels, and electric equipment all contribute to a model that minimises waste and reduces dependence on non-renewable energy sources.
This highlights how renewable materials like timber can support a more circular and resource-efficient built environment — one that keeps carbon in check from production through to end of life.
Supporting a circular economy
Timber’s sustainability extends well beyond its first use. It plays a key role in the circular economy, a system designed to keep materials in use for as long as possible, reducing waste and conserving natural resources.
Timber can be reused or repurposed with minimal processing. At the end of its first life, it can be:
- Reused in other construction projects.
- Recycled into panels or chipboard.
- Repurposed for energy through biomass.
- Or simply returned to the biosphere, where it decomposes naturally without harming the environment.
This versatility allows timber to have multiple life cycles, keeping carbon stored for longer and helping to close the loop on material use. It’s a simple, effective way for the construction industry to move towards circular, low-carbon design.
Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) show that timber has a favourable environmental profile compared with equivalent materials. While timber offers many sustainable advantages, material choice should always be guided by project requirements and performance needs.
The Construction Material Pyramid
The Construction Material Pyramid compares materials by environmental impact. Materials at the base of the pyramid have the lowest impact, while those towards the top are more resource-intensive and carbon-heavy to produce.
Timber sits at the very base of the pyramid, highlighting its low embodied energy, renewability, and minimal environmental footprint. Higher up are materials like brick, steel, and concrete, which require more energy to produce and have a greater carbon cost. Substituting these higher-impact materials with timber is one of the most effective ways to reduce a project’s embodied carbon.
Building a sustainable future
Every timber specification moves the built environment closer to a circular, low-carbon future. At Russwood, we believe in sustainable design. Timber’s combination of performance, aesthetic, and environmental responsibility makes it the material of choice for architects, designers, and specifiers seeking to create buildings that stand the test of time – for people and for the planet.
Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in the performance of our products. We are excited to announce Russwood Thermopine® cladding has been selected as a finalist in the Archello Awards 2025 – Low Carbon Product of the Year, recognised for its outstanding environmental credentials:
- GWP Total: -482.42 kg CO₂e/m²
- GWP A1–A3: -542.00 kg CO₂e/m²
You can support Thermopine® by voting here!
Are you looking to reduce embodied carbon in your next project?
Our sustainably sourced cladding, decking, and flooring ranges provide high-performance solutions with proven environmental credentials. Get in touch to discuss sustainable timber options for your design.