THE timber and forestry industry has established a Wood Foundation to lobby the government to dramatically change the construction of its housing by using wood instead of bricks and mortar in a bid to lower SA’s carbon emissions footprint.
It argues that promoting wood as the main source for construction will support the local economy and job creation, while steering SA towards green building practices and the implementation of energy efficiency legislation.
SA’s carbon footprint is the highest on the continent, with per capita emissions of 10 tons per person.
Roy Southey, chairman of the Wood Foundation, said: "Our core objective is to promote the vital role wood plays in influencing our lives through sustainable forestation and building practices."
Wood should replace other building materials because it is "biodegradable, serves as a great insulator, uses less energy to process than steel, concrete, aluminium or plastic, and is 100% renewable", the foundation said .
Mr Southey said wood had a long lifespan and extensive durability with the correct treatment.
"It is easy to maintain and has excellent insulation and acoustic characteristics, while also being flexible to work with and aesthetically pleasing.
"There is a basic lack of common knowledge about wood in our country. If we look at the building sector, for example, wood has been replaced with alternative building materials such as glass, plastic, cement and steel, which are produced by drawing on precious and already depleted natural resources.
"Without renewing these resources, nothing is returned to the environment and we continue to contribute towards the devastating effects of global warming."
Chris Vick, special adviser to Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale, said the department would welcome a discussion with the forestry and wood industry to consider alternative housing projects in line with the government’s targets to reduce carbon emissions.
"We hope that they will approach us directly with their alternative, innovation and ideas."
Mr Vick said that the department recently invited the more than 90 innovators, who displayed new methods for housing development at the Alternative Building Technology Exhibition, to forward their proposals on green or biodegradable construction materials.
He said Mr Sexwale was encouraging the human settlements department to keep an open mind and look at the best construction practices locally and internationally .
The foundation said it would also encourage better forest management systems to ensure a sustainable use of wood.
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It argues that promoting wood as the main source for construction will support the local economy and job creation, while steering SA towards green building practices and the implementation of energy efficiency legislation.
SA’s carbon footprint is the highest on the continent, with per capita emissions of 10 tons per person.
Roy Southey, chairman of the Wood Foundation, said: "Our core objective is to promote the vital role wood plays in influencing our lives through sustainable forestation and building practices."
Wood should replace other building materials because it is "biodegradable, serves as a great insulator, uses less energy to process than steel, concrete, aluminium or plastic, and is 100% renewable", the foundation said .
Mr Southey said wood had a long lifespan and extensive durability with the correct treatment.
"It is easy to maintain and has excellent insulation and acoustic characteristics, while also being flexible to work with and aesthetically pleasing.
"There is a basic lack of common knowledge about wood in our country. If we look at the building sector, for example, wood has been replaced with alternative building materials such as glass, plastic, cement and steel, which are produced by drawing on precious and already depleted natural resources.
"Without renewing these resources, nothing is returned to the environment and we continue to contribute towards the devastating effects of global warming."
Chris Vick, special adviser to Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale, said the department would welcome a discussion with the forestry and wood industry to consider alternative housing projects in line with the government’s targets to reduce carbon emissions.
"We hope that they will approach us directly with their alternative, innovation and ideas."
Mr Vick said that the department recently invited the more than 90 innovators, who displayed new methods for housing development at the Alternative Building Technology Exhibition, to forward their proposals on green or biodegradable construction materials.
He said Mr Sexwale was encouraging the human settlements department to keep an open mind and look at the best construction practices locally and internationally .
The foundation said it would also encourage better forest management systems to ensure a sustainable use of wood.
- BusinessDay - News worth knowing
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20 years to grow vs 1 year to grow...
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