Promoting wood construction in the EU

1. Promoting wood construction in the EU Aila Janatuinen Finnish Forest Industries Federation Strategies for the sound use of wood Poiana Brasov, Romania 24.-27.3. 2003

2. Three targets: • What do we mean when we talk about • ”wood construction”? • 2. Vision 2010 for the wood industries • 3. How using of wood in construction can • be supported on EU/European level?

3. A wooden house can look like this…

5. Vision 2010 for the European woodworking industries

6. Vision 2010 for the European woodworking industries Wood-based products are the leading solution in Europe in structural building systems and interior system products.

7. Frame structuresFloor bearing constructionPartitionsCladdingRoof structures Packaging sector Building with wood Windows Doors Beams Wall elements Living with wood Floors Walls Ceilings Furniture Cabinets Stairs Garden Transport sector

8. The stakeholders in reaching the vision Industry

9. The stakeholders in reaching the vision Industry Organisations

10. The stakeholders in reaching the vision Industry National and EU authorities Organisations

11. Industry’s role in reaching the vision • Putting the structure in place: • -> consolidation, partnerships, alliances... • Definition of and commitment to common aims • From products via product families to • solutions and services • Logistics, distribution in order • Don’t forget R & D ! Industry

12. Organisations’ role in reaching the vision • Defining a long term action plan towards the vision • Executing actions of common interest • Key areas: lobbying, competence, R & D • and promotion Organisations

13. Authorities’ role in reaching the vision • Ensuring that the woodworking industries has an • equal position with competing materials • Eliminating the barriers for use of wood • Adequate funding for R & D • Improving the operational • preconditions; especially the • viability of SMEs National and EU authorities

14. How using of wood in construction could be supported on EU/European level?

15. Current activities on European level for supporting wood construction • Enhanced use of wood –working group has identified four areas of action: • legislation and standards • education and training • information and tools • research, development, innovation

16. Competitive legislation and standardisation • European building legislation and codes have • to allow the use of wood-based products in a • cost-efficient and competitive way! • standardisation of wood-based products and • structures has to improve their competitiveness • in relation to other building materials! • Action: exposing and removing legislative barriers, • advocacy in standardisation.

17. Education, competence • architects and designers need to know how to design wooden structures and interiors • wood-based products should have an equal position in their education compared to other building materials • Action: a pan-European syllabus in education of architects and designers.

18. New approach to European R & D • the industry needs to take the lead • directing the (scarce) resources to focal areas for maximised synergy, away from scattered projects • - the results shall efficiently be exploited • Action: industry cooperation in R & D.

19. Information and tools • people need to have a positive perception of wood-based products • wood-based products have to be known as an eco-efficient, reliable and economic building materials • using wood should be easy • Action: tools (like CAD-programs) need to be available, need to create a pan-European building system based on the existing ones.

20. 2. Current activities on European level for supporting wood construction • European timber councils’ projects • Environmental communication (CO2) • European Wood Magazine • Building Europe • Research cooperation related to 6th framework programme of research (ERAWOOD, ADVANCEWOOD, etc.)

21. With whom we are competing?

22. featuring the promotion campaign initiated by some of Europe's major steel groups to promote the material of the future.and discover the various aspects of steel today, its contribution to comfort and safety in our daily lives, from household appliances, white goods, furniture, packaging and construction to automotive and transportation. It makes our bathroom tidy, our kitchen healthy, our cars safe and our communications reliable and fast. Easily and fully recyclable, steel keeps our environment clean. Steel protects and cares for a better life. and have a look at our campaign. You will be surprised to see what steel can do for you.

23. Why should we win?

24. energy-efficiency sustainablility carbon stock recyclability employment

25. What (more) can we do in order to promote wood construction in the EU?

26. We should aim at: • linking our activities to the current policies: • sustainable development • climate change • health and quality of life • economy, creating jobs at rural areas, supporting SMEs • etc…

27. We should aim at: • promoting buildings that are • environmentally friendly • a pleasant living and working environment • easily maintained and converted • affordable • creating EU-wide tools and frameworks for enhancing the use of wood • creating a policy/programme to support our aims

28. An action programme to increase the use of wood in construction • joint industry commitment to the vision • a roadmap how the vision will be reached • removing the barriers for increased use of wood • using the good environmental message we have! • making using wood an attractive option, not a strain!