Canada is at a critical juncture — our housing market is unaffordable for many and our environmental goals are becoming increasingly urgent. As policymakers scramble to address these interconnected crises, numerous initiatives have been launched to tackle the affordable housing shortage and meet sustainability targets. But these well-intentioned efforts often miss the mark. Instead of perpetually searching for new ideas, Canada should focus on identifying, supporting and scaling the innovative solutions that are already being implemented by forward-thinking collaborators within the construction industry. …Our interests and those of our partners have been rooted in the growing use of prefabricated and modular construction techniques (particularly low embodied carbon materials such as mass timber). These methods allow for faster, more efficient building processes that reduce waste and help bring down upfront capital costs.
VANCOUVER, BC
California is chipping away at developing new statewide rules to remove plants, mulch and other flammable materials within 5 feet of buildings and structures in fire-prone areas, the Board of Forestry confirmed this month. This proposed set of guidelines would also forbid that ubiquitous backyard feature — a wooden privacy fence. This rule lumps existing flammable fences into the same category as new construction. “We’re already getting calls on that,” Arbor Fence Manager Cassidy Everitt said. The Sonoma fence construction company uses redwood in at least 75% of its business No date is set on when the upcoming defensible space guidelines will be finalized or implemented, California Board of Forestry spokeswoman Edith Hannigan said. Insiders say it’s only a matter of time when insurance companies make the changes mandatory.
When builders complete the final touches on the Sustainable Engineering Laboratories at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, students and faculty will see a sleek building in the heart of the school’s STEM campus. “We explored 62 different structural systems, with varying criteria of cost and efficacy,” said Mark Oldham, a principal architect at Payette, which designed the building. The architects at Payette are among a handful of designers in the United States who are honing in on a green building strategy known as embodied, or upfront, carbon reduction …This year, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center held its first statewide embodied carbon reduction challenge, awarding Payette a grand prize in June for its design of the UMass research building.
In recent years, timber has become a hugely important resource for the Scottish economy. According to a recent report from Scottish Forestry, forestry’s economic contribution to Scotland is now £1.1 billion GVA (Gross Value Added), £878 million of which comes from timber processing and supply chain activities. In total, Scottish Forestry contributes 76% of the UK’s total commercial forestry market… The demand for timber is being driven by a range of factors, but perhaps the main driver is its sustainability credentials. Wood is a renewable resource that, when sourced from sustainably managed forests with FSC and PEFC certification, has a lower environmental impact compared to traditional building materials like concrete and steel. Additionally trees absorb carbon dioxide as they grow, and much of this carbon remains stored in the wood even after it is harvested and used in construction. 
Building emissions are made up of two parts: operational carbon (from energy used to heat, cool and power buildings) and embodied carbon (due to material use and construction). We know how to reduce operational carbon to net zero… It’s entirely unclear how we’ll get down to net-zero embodied carbon. …Our new research shows while we can greatly reduce embodied carbon in Australia, it will require radical changes in how we design, construct, use and reuse buildings. …Our study explores the extent to which we can reduce embodied carbon in Australian office buildings. …We also tested to see if we could reach net zero embodied carbon by including the “biogenic carbon” stored in the timber and straw. …However, our study shows small decisions can have a big impact. Of all the changes we made, the one that reduced embodied carbon the most was simply replacing carpet with hardwood floors. 
By bio-based, we refer to buildings constructed of natural materials (wood, bamboo, algae, etc.) or those that mimic biological processes. The “bio revolution” is coming to construction – in fact, it is already here. …However, wider adoption is stymied by codes and practices, not to mention a large degree of industry scepticism. …As we enter a period defined by “zero” (carbon, waste, plastics … you name it), we suggest that bio-based principles will become further embedded in buildings. …the benefits of natural and plant-based materials go well beyond air quality and physical health. A large body of research demonstrates that occupant mental wellbeing is significantly enhanced in environments where natural and bio-based materials are utilised. The use of timber in indoor settings, for example, has been linked to limiting mental stress and anxiety, promoting relaxation, improving cognitive performance, and even lowering blood pressure.
DUBLIN, Ireland — The Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) has urged the government to adopt more sustainable construction methods to reduce sector emissions immediately. Publishing its annual review of Ireland’s industry and waste sectors, the CCAC emphasised the need for increased timber use and modern construction methods (MMC). It also called for whole-life carbon assessments and targets in planning public buildings to meet sectoral targets. …Marie Donnelly, Chair, CCAC, said: “One of the primary sources of industrial emissions is cement production. …“Updates to the building regulations that support increased use of timber in construction should be consolidated with the establishment of a high-level cross-departmental task force to prepare an overarching national strategy for the development and expansion of all aspects of the timber industry in Ireland. …48% to 50% of new-build homes in Ireland are timber-framed, compared to less than 25% in 2021. 