Focus on Arts and Ecology

Dear colleagues,

Climate change is one of the most urgent and complex problems governments face in the 21st century, and the construction sector is a major component of the problem. In Europe alone, it is estimated that the building sector accounts for more than a third of all greenhouse gas emissions, and nearly half of total energy demand.

Wood and wood-based materials provide a major opportunity to turn the situation around and transform the building sector so that it meets the demands of a low-carbon economy. The production and processing of wood is more energy-efficient than other building material, giving it a very low carbon footprint. But using wood for construction is just one of many ways in which forest-based materials can be used to help tackle the climate crisis.

The UNECE/FAO Team of Specialists on Sustainable Forest Products will host a webinar: “Building and renovation solutions to meet 21st-century climate change, affordability, energy and sustainability criteria” on 23 November from 14:00 – 18:00 CET, to increase the awareness and knowledge of sectoral experts, policymakers and the wider public of the benefits of using sustainable forest-based materials, products and systems in a wide range of projects addressing climate-related challenges.

Discussions at this webinar will:

•    Show how wood-based materials, products and systems can respond to the climate change challenge;
•    Provide practical examples of how wood-based solutions can help provide societal needs for affordable living, working spaces and lifestyles that are sustainable and have reduced carbon impact;
•    Derive conclusions and recommendations for further awareness of knowledge of benefits of using forest-based materials, products, and systems in all applications.

Some of the speakers include:
•    Dr. Andrew Norton, CEO-BOIS and EOS: Technical Advisor/Renuables, UK
•    Mr. Peter Moonen, Canadian Wood Council, Vancouver, Canada
•    Mr. Philippe Moseley, Policy Officer, Sustainable Industrial Policy and Construction, DG Grow, EU Commission
•    Mr. Eoin O’Driscoll, Leader, UNECE/FAO ToS on Sustainable Forest Products
•    Mr. Rob Bernhardt, Passive House Canada, Victoria, Canada
•    Mr. Peter Wilson, Managing Director, Timber Design Initiatives, Scotland
•    Dr. Sean Smith, University of Edinburgh, Scotland

For any questions about this webinar, please contact Matthew.Fonseca@un.org. You can find out more information and register here.