They also recommended that Government encourage adoption of biobased materials such as hemp.

This is good to see from a parliamentary committee, as biobased materials have not had much air time in parliament despite their incredible potential for climate mitigation.

The committee reiterates its previous recommendation that Government introduces ratcheted limits on embodied carbon for new buildings. This would simply bring the UK in line with EU, which has rapidly progressed in this area since the UK left.

Since 1990, annual embodied carbon emissions in the UK have not reduced significantly, with any reductions in the carbon intensity of materials used offset by an increase in construction activity. This raises concerns about the feasibility of meeting housing targets without breaching carbon budgets.

🌲 How do we ensure global demand for timber is managed responsibly?
🌾 What can you do with straw 12 stories up in the sky?
🌍 Why are Built by Nature at COP30?

Find out by listening to the full episode - available above and on all your favourite podcast platforms 🙂

Genuine question; is this likely to result in more ambitious agreements coming from this COP without US dragging its feet?

This has been stimulated by a dramatic increase in demand with at least 640 completed mass timber buildings. Flagship projects include social housing, public and educational buildings.

Here is the excellently named Biblioteca de los Mil Soles (The Library of a Thousand Suns) in Madrid:

Tune in tomorrow for further Government endorsements! Watch this space

The livestream has dropped off but prior to losing connection we could hear Rachel Kyte, UK climate envoy, announcing that the UK is endorsing. The Government under Labour has already recommitted to the "Timber in Construction Roadmap" - so this fresh endorsement is a welcome follow up

Emmanuel Kamarianakis, the Ambassador of Canada to Brazil. In announcing Canada's endorsement, Emmanuel highlights how Canada is the 3rd most forested country in the world, and they have already committed to the Tropical Forests Forever fund. (Take note Kier Starmer!)

Costa Rica is the first country to announce their endorsement. They actually announced endorsement at Woodrise in Vancouver in September, embedding this into the country’s first National Code for Construction with Wood. They just re-committed on stage at COP forestclimateleaders.org/news-resourc...

You may have noticed from the abysmal quality of image I previously posted, that I am not on the ground, but watching a livestream. Here is a photo from Built by Nature colleague Harry Mills:

The 5 principles:

1 - Extending the life of existing buildings.
2- Accounting for Whole Life Cycle.
3- Ensuring Sustainable Forest Management.
4- Maximising the carbon storage potential of wood
5- Promoting a timber building bioeconomy.

Paul gives an overview of the 5 Principles, developed with the FCLP (Forest & Climate Leaders Partnership). They are intended to establish a common language and global framework to ensure that increased demand for wood is managed responsibly.

Paul King, CEO of Built by Nature is introducing the session, framing the need for the Principles:

"the population of cities around the world is projected to double over the next 25 years"