ADVERTISING FEATURE – INNOWOOD
IMPROVING TRANSPARENCY: HOW LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENTS HELP PRESERVE OUR FORESTS
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HEN SOURCED AND PRODUCED RESPONSIBLY, TIMBER IS AMONG THE MOST SUSTAINABLE BUILDING MATERIALS, PROVIDING PROJECTS WITH ITS STRENGTH AND DURABILITY, SIMPLICITY OF CONSTRUCTION AND NATURAL INSULATION PROPERTIES. HOWEVER, THE ILLEGAL WOOD TRADE CAN REVERSE TIMBER’S POSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT, DESTROYING NATURAL HABITATS AND THE LIVES OF THOSE THAT DEPEND ON THE FORESTS FOR SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL WELLBEING. LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENTS (LCA) ARE AN INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED TOOL FOR ASSESSING A PRODUCT OR MATERIAL’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT, PROVIDING PROFESSIONALS WITH THE INFORMATION NECESSARY TO MAKE WELL-INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR SOURCING, COMPOSITION AND END-OF-LIFE POSSIBILITIES.
PROTECTING FORESTS Forests provide a massive role in preserving biodiversity and limiting the effects of climate change, in addition to being depended on my numerous communities globally economically, socially and culturally. An estimated 1.6 billion people rely on forests for their livelihood and nearly half of the developing world is sustained with timber from forests, along with mushrooms, nuts, rubber and medicines. Their economic importance cannot be understated, contributing US$468 billion to the global economy and more than 8 per cent of gross domestic product in some of the world’s poorest countries, in addition to employing 66,000 people here in Australia. Timber and timber-based composites are most commonly used in construction, although the industry provides a broad range of products. More than half of all terrestrial species live in forests, although maintaining this life is becoming increasingly difficult as a result of the dual impacts of climate change and deforestation. Each exacerbates the other, limiting the resilience of ecosystems and their ability to adapt to or
recover from changing conditions. Forests typically act as giant carbon sinks, although as more trees are removed their overall ability to absorb global carbon emissions diminishes rapidly.
THE IMPACT Deforestation, particularly illegal felling, threatens the social and economic wellbeing of people, reduces terrestrial biodiversity and worsens climate change. Generally associated with poor forest management, illegal felling is particularly concerning given its undocumented nature, distorting sustainable efforts and undermining incentives.
INNOWOOD Innowood is an Australian specialist in the design, manufacture and supply of composite timber products such as InnoClad, InnoCeil, InnoScreen, InnoShade and InnoDeck. Innowood’s products are an alternative to natural timber, manufactured predominately from natural wood waste. By relying on natural wood waste, Innowood can increase the value of any single tree, allowing its materials to go further in a practical manner. Innowood’s products are 100 per cent recyclable and the company offers a take-back service, extending their lifespan even further. In doing so, customers are offered a simple method for disposing of products in an environmentally conscious manner, supporting the brand’s aim to offset the need for virgin materials, reducing pressure on landfill space and improving the amenity of the land. For more information of sustainable timber development and LCA, download the free whitepaper.
LCA – ENCOURAGING SUSTAINABILITY LCAs help reduce deforestation by offering methods of production a level of transparency otherwise impossible for a building professional to obtain. Uncovering chain of custody allows companies to make informed decisions, and while an LCA is not a stamp of approval in itself, it does provide extra choice. The more people who invest in LCA, the more valuable it will become.
Download the full whitepaper here: goo.gl/Y97gij