With the eyes of the world on COP26 in the first two weeks of November, the global timber industry is collectively hosting a ‘World of Wood Festival’. 

Join us in this six-week celebration of global timber and global forests which takes place from 25 October to 3 December 2021 at the Building Centre in Store Street, London, WC1E 7BT, and virtually around the world.

What is the World of Wood Festival?

The World of Wood Festival tells the story of how global forests, and the wood products cycle is helping to avert climate change, decarbonising construction, and supporting social, environmental and economic growth through governance in developing countries. Within these connected themes, one key message prevails and remains more crucial than ever: that wood equals hope.

How can I join in on the celebrations?

Many of the events below are being hosted both physically and digitally. This means no matter where you are in the world, whether you are in Europe, North or South America, Asia, or Australasia, you are able to join. Select the events below you are most interested in and come learn how the global timber industry is working together to put timber onto the main stages at COP26.

You can also join the global discussion at any time on social media using the hashtags #worldofwood and #woodhope.

EVENT PROGRAMME

26 October 2021, 16:00-17:00 BST

Welcome to the World of Wood (WoW).

Attendees to our digital launch will learn about the scope of the festival, the two manifestos being launched by the global timber industry at COP26, the Wood Awards, and our online offerings, including a new website and app.

Register now

2 November 2021, 16:00-17:00 GMT

Come learn about the launch of our new global timber manifestos and the action at COP26.

Paul Brannen will be reporting live from COP26 as a representative of the global timber industry on the events of the day by talking through some of the key aspects of the manifestos launched, how they have been received, and events coming up during the week.

Register now

4 November, 16:00-17:00 GMT

To make a difference to carbon emissions we need to be able to measure them.

At this event you will learn how you can account for embodied carbon emissions in your building projects, with the launch of a new technical paper from Timber Development UK.

Register now

9 November 2021, 14:00-20:00 GMT

Better governance must be at the heart of sustaining global forests.

Join in on a day time session where the FLEGT Independent Market Monitor will share findings from its work tracking timber market legality assurance development and impacts on trade flows, before an evening networking opportunity for you to hear from the experts behind ‘Global Forests need Global Timber’.

Register now

11 November 2021, 15:00-17:00 GMT

Learn about world-leading timber buildings in cities across Asia, Europe, the USA, and the UK.

Using material and design innovations using wood, architects, engineers, scientists and, city planners are rapidly moving us away from the carbon-intensive methods and materials towards a new ‘Wood Age’, which works in harmony with nature.

Register now

16 November 2021, 15:00-17:00 GMT

Timber can help make construction low-carbon. But, there are a number of barriers to achieving this.

Here we hear from world leading examples in Sweden which have achieved not just single timber buildings but timber development at a whole town scale. We will find out from them how they have achieved this and what they had to overcome.

Register now

18 November 2021, 16:00-18:00 GMT

This event seeks to answer the question of where future supplies of timber will come from.

Do we have enough timber in the world to meet growing demand? Are we planting enough trees? How will climate change affect global supply? How can we ensure that demand for timber enhances rather than diminishes forests? These questions have never been more pertinent.

Register now

23 November 2021, 16:00-17:00 GMT

World of Wood gives you the inside story of how the Timber Beacon originally proposed for COP26 was designed.

Architect Steve Wallis from dRMM and engineer Shingi Tarirah from Whitby Wood will discuss how the project was developed from concept, through detailed design and designing for transportation to allow for the temporary structure to be fabricated, assembled and then disassembled at end of use.

Register now

25 November 2021, 18:30-20:30 GMT

Invited guests will find out the winners of the Wood Awards 2021.

The Wood Awards is the UK’s premier competition for excellence in architecture and product design in wood. Since 1971, these awards have recognized and encouraged outstanding wood design craftsmanship and installation. You can view this years nominees online now.

Invite only

30 November 2021, 18:00-20:00 GMT

To address the climate crisis we need to equip people with the skills to succeed.

Following the success of the Riverside Sunderland Design Challenge 2021 (RSUDC21), Timber Development UK is launching a new competition to engage and upskill the next generation of architects, engineers, and surveyors with the knowledge they need to build climate resilient, energy efficient, healthy and low-carbon homes for the future with timber.

Register now

1 December 2021, 16:00-17:00 GMT

Pablo Van Der Lugte talks us through his book ‘Tomorrow’s Timber’ and timber’s role in the next building revolution.

Building a skyscraper? Forget about steel and concrete, says architect Michael Green, and build it out of … wood. As he details in this intriguing talk, it’s not only possible to build safe wooden structures up to 30 stories tall (and, he hopes, higher), it’s necessary.

Register now

For more information, visit the World of Wood Website.