Mass timbers are engineered wood products that can serve as a less carbon-intensive alternative to traditional building materials. The Climate Jobs Institute’s new mass timber primer describes how policymakers can spur quality job creation, meet building decarbonization goals, and accelerate construction in areas of need, such as affordable and workforce housing, by standing up regional timber supply chains.
Why It Matters
Mass timber presents a major opportunity to:
- Reduce emissions in one of the most carbon-intensive sectors
- Revitalize rural forestry economies facing job loss and deindustrialization
- Create high-quality, union jobs across the supply chain
- Accelerate affordable housing production, especially in dense urban areas like NYC
Key Findings
- Mass timber can replace steel and concrete, lowering construction-related carbon emissions
- The U.S. forest products sector is a major economic driver, but is undergoing significant contraction, creating an urgent need for transition strategies
- Domestic mass timber production remains underdeveloped, despite strong ecological and workforce advantages
- Strong labor standards and sustainable forestry practices are essential to ensure equitable and climate-positive growth
10%
of global greenhouse gas emissions are caused by the construction industry.
~20%
of the world's industrial wood is produced in the U.S.
42% more
The average embodied carbon emissions of a reinforced concrete building are 42% higher than mass timber.
Opportunities
- Affordable housing development
- Regional supply chain expansion
- Wildfire mitigation & forest management
- Domestic manufacturing growth
Challenges to Address
- Ensuring sustainable forestry practices
- Reducing supply chain transportation emissions
- Protecting worker safety and job quality
