Climate protection: Germany's Federal government adopts strategy for more wooden houses

"By 2030, more houses are to be built with wood instead of stone or concrete. The federal government wants to shorten transport routes and improve the climate balance.

The federal government has decided on an initiative to promote the use of wood in house construction. By 2030, significantly more houses are to be built with wood and fewer with concrete or stone. 

Wood is considered a more climate-friendly building material because trees store carbon dioxide, which remains permanently bound in the wood used.

In addition, the federal government argues with shorter transport routes, since the raw material is not only renewable, but also domestic. Wood is also well suited for serial, modular and therefore cheaper construction. But wood is also to be used more frequently in the future in "structural engineering".

The eight fields of action named in the strategy include strengthening research and model projects in timber construction. In addition, the federal government wants to support advice and knowledge transfer in this area and create incentives for building with wood, such as funding programs for such projects. As a role model, the federal government itself wants to become a "pioneer in climate- and resource-efficient construction".

Timber construction quota for high residential buildings under five percent

According to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, the timber construction quota for one- and two-family houses is currently 26 percent. In the case of multi-store residential construction, however, the rate is less than five percent. The timber construction initiative aims to tap this potential. However, the information from the Federal Government does not indicate which quota is to be achieved in which area by 2030.

"Every new wooden building is a CO₂ store," Minister of Agriculture Cem Özdemir (Greens) advertised the project. "Compared to other construction methods, up to more than 50 percent of greenhouse gas emissions can be saved."

Federal Building Minister Klara Geywitz argued with lower prices: "In order to create more affordable and good living space in which people feel comfortable, we want to improve serial and modular construction," she said. "Wood is light, durable and reusable," continued Geywitz. This was also shown by "wooden houses of previous generations". The SPD politician and Özdemir want to talk regularly to the federal states and associations about the implementation of the project.

Similar initiatives already in three federal states

The Main Association of the German Timber Industry (HDH) welcomed the initiative. The federal government has "followed its announcements from the coalition agreement with action," said HDH President Johannes Schwörer. In it, the SPD, Greens and FDP announced that they would launch a "timber construction, lightweight construction and raw material security strategy".

The association president referred to corresponding initiatives in Baden-Württemberg, Saxony and Bavaria that already exist - and called on the federal government to commission more timber construction projects itself. Because more homes will be needed in the future and 40 percent of greenhouse gas emissions are attributable to the construction sector, the development of this area is "essential"."