In just a few months, the Government will launch its much-anticipated Timber in Construction Roadmap, which will outline how we can expand low-carbon timber construction in the UK.
Communication is essential to the Roadmap’s success, and the CTI will work hard to ensure key stakeholders are made aware of the report and the wider benefits of timber.
Promoting timber this autumn
Over the coming months, we have several engagements looking to put timber, and the Roadmap, at the top of the construction agenda.
Starting next week, CTI Directors David Hopkins and Andrew Carpenter will be taking part in an industry roundtable hosted by Building magazine. The roundtable will address macro and industry specific themes such as net zero carbon, building safety, housing supply, and technical innovation.
Then in October, the CTI is sponsoring the Constructing Excellence Midlands Construction Summit. This year’s summit boasts an exceptional lineup, including Construction Minister Nusrat Ghani MP and building safety expert Dame Judith Hackitt.
David Hopkins will again be talking all things timber alongside an esteemed panel of construction industry experts, outlining the importance of building with wood in our bid to reach net zero 2050. There are still tickets available for the summit, and we urge timber businesses to join us and get involved in important industry discussions.
Bringing politicians closer to timber
The CTI’s political engagement will continue alongside these industry events as we look to build a network of politicians and allies willing to support the Roadmap.
Our popular timber site visits, which have proved excellent in highlighting at first hand the benefits of timber construction, are making a comeback.
In November, we will be taking Robert Courts MP around the Donaldson Offsite Factory in Witney, where we will outline how timber MMC can alleviate the housing crisis and provide a plethora of local, green manufacturing jobs across the skills spectrum.
We will add further site visits to our agenda, and we encourage timber businesses to get in touch regarding potential visit opportunities.
Continued engagement with the Labour Party will also be central to our efforts, with the opposition racing ahead in the polls and looking likely to win the 2024 General Election. We will be engaging with shadow ministers, raising awareness of the Roadmap, and ensuring Labour will continue the Roadmap’s plan, or produce something similar, if successful next year.
And finally, our industry and political engagement will culminate in the launch of the Timber in Construction Roadmap at the APPG for the Timber Industries annual parliamentary luncheon.
Autumn 2023 is set to be a hugely important period for our industry – keep an eye on all the latest events and developments via the CTI LinkedIn and Twitter accounts.
*This article was originally published on the CTI website.