We are delighted that our Enabling Structural Timber in UK Logistics report is now live. Chetwoods Architects and Evolve Consulting Engineers have undertaken focused research on ‘Enabling Structural Timber in UK Logistics’ culminating in this report, including insights from industry leading developers, agents, cost consultants and influencers in the industrial and logistics sector.

This pioneering report outlines a path for the UK logistics sector that represents a significant opportunity to reduce embodied carbon and align with sustainability goals. It aims to:

• Identify the key barriers to mass timber construction

• Offer essential guidance

• Enable the industry to begin addressing these challenges

“This report is an important step forward in breaking down some of the perceived barriers, bringing us closer to the wider use of sustainably sourced structural timber in logistics. We’re proud to have released this research and believe it will play a vital role in shaping a more sustainable future for industrial development.” - Philippa Birch-Wood, Director, Chetwoods Thrive.

Addressing the Climate Crisis

We are in a climate crisis, with an urgent need to drastically reduce carbon emissions to mitigate the worst effects of global warming. According to the latest guidance from the UK Green Building Council, the UK construction industry is responsible for 42% of the country’s carbon emissions. This necessitates a fundamental reassessment of how buildings are designed, operated, and the materials used in their construction. Transitioning to materials with lower embodied carbon is critical.

While significant progress is being made to regulate, report, and reduce operational carbon, the embodied carbon emissions associated with resource extraction, material manufacturing, and construction activities remain unregulated. These emissions are often excluded from sustainability discussions, even though, unlike operational carbon, embodied carbon cannot be retrofitted or reduced later.

Growing Demand for Logistics Space

Within the construction sector, the demand for distribution centres continues to rise, driven by online retail, which is expected to grow by 7% annually. This trend is pushing demand for logistics space ever higher.

Although timber has been successfully incorporated into logistics developments in Europe and has seen large-scale applications in other UK sectors, it has yet to gain significant traction in the UK logistics market. This report explores the reasons behind this and aims to provide developers with practical guidance for adopting this promising material that represents a significant opportunity to reduce embodied carbon and align with construction sustainability goals.

A Collaborative Project

The report draws on our extensive sector experience, research into existing industry guidance, and insights from collaborative workshops we have run this year. These workshops engaged a diverse group of stakeholders, including developers, occupiers, insurance professionals, engineers, consultants, contractors, and project managers, to move beyond perceived barriers and identify genuine obstacles.

The report also incorporates findings from an ongoing industry survey, offering a broader perspective on stakeholder attitudes towards timber construction.

“This report not only highlights the opportunities but provides a clear roadmap for overcoming the challenges, showing that with the right approach, timber can become a key part of the solution in meeting our industry’s sustainability goals.” - Neil Shiner, Director, Evolve Consulting Engineers

For further information please contact Philippa Birch-Wood Philippa.Birch-Wood@chetwoods.com or Neil Shiner Neil.Shiner@evolveuk.biz

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