According to data from the New Zealand Ministry for the Environment, the construction sector in New Zealand contributes to around 20% of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions. In 2018, the construction sector in New Zealand was responsible for emitting approximately 8.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, mainly due to the growth in the construction industry and the demand for building materials such as cement and steel, which are energy-intensive to produce.
The New Zealand government has set a target of net-zero emissions by 2050, and it’s vital that the construction industry plays its part in achieving this goal. Initiatives and policies have been introduced to promote low-carbon building materials, energy-efficient building designs, and renewable energy sources.
Since 1951 Lockwood has led the way in sustainable building. Building a Lockwood home is better for the environment in several ways.
Firstly, wood is a renewable resource and is widely accepted as the only major building material to tackle climate change.
Timber construction helps to reduce emissions by providing a lower embodied carbon alternative to traditional building materials, and by storing carbon in buildings for the lifespan of the building. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they grow, and this carbon is stored in the wood. When timber is used in construction, this carbon remains locked away for the lifespan of the building, reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. And, as a rule of thumb, if you substitute one cubic metre of timber for a cubic metre of concrete, you will eliminate approximately one metric tonne (1,000kg) of carbon dioxide from being emitted into the atmosphere.
A Lockwood home has 5.5 times more timber than a conventionally framed home – all sustainably sourced from plantation forests around the Rotorua region. Transport emissions are minimised by our proximity to the forestry industry, further reducing the impact on our environment.
Additionally, the production and processing of wood uses much less energy than most other building materials, giving homes built from solid wood like Lockwood a significantly lower carbon footprint. A Lockwood also has the advantage of being pre-manufactured, minimising on-site waste as the components for the home arrive cut exactly to size. We treat our timber after processing, so the shavings and off-cuts in our factory can be repurposed into things like wood pellets for pellet wood burners and animal bedding.
The benefits of building with wood extend beyond reducing emissions. Timber has excellent insulating properties, which can reduce the energy required to heat and cool a building. This reduces the amount of energy needed from fossil fuels, and in turn, reduces emissions.
The construction industry has a significant role to play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and sustainable building practices are crucial in achieving this goal. By building with Lockwood, not only can you reduce your carbon footprint, but you can also enjoy a home that is energy-efficient and built to last.