Alliance for the Global “Wood Construction Transition”

Science and Industry Join Forces Against the “Heat Era”

“We are heading toward dangerous tipping points in the climate system. At the same time, the global built environment is responsible for more than one-third of CO₂ emissions—this is therefore where the greatest leverage lies to avert an impending ‘hot era,’” emphasizes Prof. Dr. Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, Director General of IIASA, at the launch event in Vienna. “Cities must transition from being sources of CO₂ to carbon sinks. Timber construction is the most important tool for achieving this.”

Science Explains the Concept of the “Forest-Construction-Pump”

“The burning of fossil fuels and the destruction of natural ecosystems have caused a significant increase in the concentration of CO₂ in the atmosphere. Trees absorb CO₂ through photosynthesis and store the carbon in their wood. If this wood is used for durable buildings, the carbon remains sequestered for decades or even centuries, while new trees grow in the forest and absorb additional CO₂. In this way, CO₂ is continuously removed from the atmosphere and, figuratively speaking, ‘pumped’ from the forest into the built environment. “Sustainable forestry and timber construction, together with reuse and modern recycling technologies, can thus form a long-term carbon sink,” explains renowned climate researcher Schellnhuber, outlining the fundamental basis of SITCA.

Reliable Facts for Business and Politics

The alliance’s primary goal is to provide scientific facts and raise awareness among decision-makers. “With SITCA, we are laying the scientific foundation to convince decision-makers in politics, government agencies, and the real estate and construction industries worldwide of the need for a paradigm shift. Away from CO2-intensive materials and toward renewable building materials,” says Dr. Erich Wiesner, CEO of WIEHAG, emphasizing the alliance’s central mission.

A Holistic Approach: Biodiversity and Public Acceptance

For Prof. Dr. Daniela Kleinschmit, President of the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO), the social component is crucial: “Wood construction only works with healthy forests. We integrate biodiversity and social aspects from the very beginning to ensure the necessary public acceptance.” IUFRO will serve as a scientific partner on the Alliance’s advisory board and contribute expertise from a global network of researchers.

A Strong Foundation in Industry and Politics

In addition to the scientific community, SITCA draws on industry heavyweights. The founding partners—and, as of last week, the first new business partner, the HASSLACHER Group—represent the entire forest-based value chain.

Federal Minister Norbert Totschnig (BMLUK) welcomes the initiative: “Austria is a world leader in wood construction. With SITCA, we are not only building houses out of wood, but we are also developing expertise for a sustainable future.”

AboutSITCA:

The Science and Timber Construction Alliance (SITCA) is a global platform for promoting wood-based construction based on scientific evidence.
For more information, visit: www.sitca.earth

For further information, please contact:

Gerald Steindlegger, SITCA, IIASA, Senior Advisor, Strategy and Innovation

E-Mail: steindlegger@iiasa.ac.at | Tel: +43 664 922 4906

Ansa Heyl, IIASA, Science Communications Lead

E-Mail: heyl@iiasa.ac.at I Tel: +43 676 8380 7574

Lion Verheyden (Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator IIASA), Peter Rupp (Head of Corporate Sustainability Hilti Group), Georg Schöppl (Österr. Bundesforste), Dr. Erich Wiesner (Geschäftsführer und Eigentümer WIEHAG), Prof. Dr. Hans Joachim Schellnhuber (Generaldirektor des IIASA), Prof. Dr. Daniela Kleinschmit (IUFRO), Silke Zoryk (Head of Customer Service Marketing & Communications at Stora Enso), Christoph Kulterer (CEO & Eigentümer HASSLACHER Gruppe), Helmut Spiehs (Geschäftsführer Binderholz Gruppe), Abteilungsleiter DI Dr. Georg Rappold, MBA - Abteilungsleiter der Abteilung III/5 - "Holzpolitik, Bioökonomie und Innovation", Gerald Steindlegger (IIASA), Florian Kraxner (IIASA).

© HASSLACHER group