Sustainable Wood Use
1. Significance of sustainable wood use
While sustainably managed forests absorb carbon dioxide and store carbon during their growth, timber which is legally harvested from such forests can achieve long-term carbon storage when used for buildings and other purposes. In addition, since timber consume less energy in comparison with steal or concrete during its processing, substituting wood for other building materials leads to reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
Utilizing wood, a renewable resource, produced from sustainably managed forests can therefore significantly contribute to achieve decarbonation and circular economy. As such, expectation for a long-term use of wood, especially for building materials is rising. International agreements on prevention of global warming also recognize the benefits of increased carbon storage by Harvested Wood Products (HWP).
With a long history of utilizing wood in its culture, in Japan, we are enhancing the cycle of “Planting, Raising, Harvesting, Using, and Replanting” and promoting use of wood produced as such at home. We will also continue to communicate and share the importance and necessity of sustainable wood use internationally.
Utilizing wood, a renewable resource, produced from sustainably managed forests can therefore significantly contribute to achieve decarbonation and circular economy. As such, expectation for a long-term use of wood, especially for building materials is rising. International agreements on prevention of global warming also recognize the benefits of increased carbon storage by Harvested Wood Products (HWP).
With a long history of utilizing wood in its culture, in Japan, we are enhancing the cycle of “Planting, Raising, Harvesting, Using, and Replanting” and promoting use of wood produced as such at home. We will also continue to communicate and share the importance and necessity of sustainable wood use internationally.
2. Promotion of sustainable wood use in Japan
Sorry, Japanese contents only. This section is under construction.
3. International developments/achievements related to sustainable wood use
Major outcomes of multilateral meetings
XV World Forestry Congress: Ministers issue call on sustainable wood (Seoul, Republic of Korea 2022) (external link)
The Fifth APEC Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Forestry (Chiang Mai, Thailand 2022)（PDF:298KB)
G7 Hiroshima Summitand related meetings (Japan, 2023) (external link)
G7 Hiroshima Leaders’ Communiqué, Climate, Energy and Environment Ministers’ Communiqué and Sustainable Urban Development Ministers’Communiqué（PDF:342KB)
Side-event seminar of G7 Agriculture Ministers' Meeting
Opinion-exchange meeting “Constructing a Timber Future for Urban and Rural Settlement”
International initiatives
Japan's overseas cooperation
Projects of ITTO funded by Japan focusing on sustainable wood use
Projects by country
Vietnam (external link)
Thailand (external link)
Indonesia (external link)
Analysis of Timber Legality Assurance Systems and Good Practices in China and Viet Nam for Sustainable Timber Trade (external link)
Vietnam (external link)
Thailand (external link)
Indonesia (external link)
Analysis of Timber Legality Assurance Systems and Good Practices in China and Viet Nam for Sustainable Timber Trade (external link)
“Identifying high-risk timber exports from Viet Nam to Japan”(PDF:5,820KB)(external link)
“The growth of timber legality verification in China”(PDF:5,820KB)(external link)
ITTO reports
Policies and initiatives for sustainable wood use promotion by public and private sectors in Japan（PDF：2,827KB)
Policies and initiatives for sustainable wood use promotion by public and private sectors in the USA and Europe（PDF：4,126KB)
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