Construction industry bodies join groundbreaking UK C16 collaboration

As a collective, the C16 Campaign is now working strategically with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) and Institute of Structural Engineers (IStructE).

Aimed primarily at architects and structural engineers, the renewed campaign seeks to raise awareness of the benefits and strategic importance of domestically grown and manufactured timber across the construction industry, reducing the UK’s reliance on imported materials.

Last October – in an industry first – the UK’s three leading sawmillers joined forces in a landmark collaboration, calling for collective action to rebalance supply chains and futureproof the UK’s timber supply. Reflecting their continued commitment, the trio will now work alongside the UK’s leading bodies of architects and structural engineers to ensure that homegrown timber is understood and specified throughout the construction process, from design and planning through to the build stage.

Despite the UK having a world-class sawmilling industry, it is the second-largest net importer of forest products globally, with 80% (worth £9 billion) of its requirements imported annually. This over-reliance on imported timber not only weakens our domestic industry, but also undermines environmental progress, contributes to unnecessary carbon emissions, and reduces the potential for rural job creation.

Targeting architects and structural engineers through a series of educational events, such as a landmark report and industry roundtables, this campaign will continue to bolster knowledge and support for reducing reliance on timber imports and futureproofing the UK’s supply.