Principles for Responsible Timber Construction Implementation Framework logo

Asset Managers can use the Framework to integrate carbon performance and reuse metrics into ongoing portfolio management.

It provides guidance for monitoring embodied emissions, material recovery, and life-cycle value, helping demonstrate sustainability leadership and compliance with evolving ESG standards. By embedding responsible timber data in reporting, asset managers can enhance transparency, resilience, and long-term asset performance.

Drive value through data. The Framework helps asset managers track carbon and reuse metrics, strengthening ESG reporting and portfolio resilience.

Strategies for Asset Managers

Phase 1 Initiation and feasibility

Strategy 1.2 Reuse, retrofit and extend before rebuilding

Prioritising reuse and retrofit over demolition is one of the most powerful ways to cut embodied carbon.  It protects the environmental value already stored in existing structures. This strategy encourages project teams to treat adaptive reuse as the default starting point. Assessing how timber solutions can extend and revitalise buildings rather than replace them. Because timber is lightweight, precise and low impact, it enables both vertical and horizontal extensions with minimal disruption and reduced construction waste. Early feasibility studies – covering spatial layout, structural integrity, and whole life cycle performance – support informed design briefs and investment appraisals. By embedding retrofit and extension options into early-stage planning, projects can unlock new urban density, retain heritage value, and demonstrate leadership in responsible, low-carbon construction aligned with net-zero and circular economy principles.

Actions

Principles included in this strategy
  • Extending the life of existing buildings
  • Maximising the carbon storage potential of wood

Phase 5 Operation, maintenance & end-of-life

Strategy 5.3 Measure and share outcomes to improve industry practice

Systematically measuring and sharing project outcomes strengthens transparency, accountability, and learning across the timber construction economy. By collecting and publishing data on carbon performance, durability, cost, and user experience, project teams contribute to a growing evidence base that demonstrates the real-world benefits of responsible timber design and delivery. Open reporting supports benchmarking against whole life cycle and ESG frameworks, helping to refine standards, guide policy, and attract sustainable investment. Sharing insights – both successes and challenges – encourages collaboration among developers, designers, contractors, and cities, accelerating innovation and improving confidence in mass timber and biobased construction. This strategy creates a positive feedback loop where practice informs progress, enabling the industry to continually raise the bar for transparent, and regenerative building performance that meets evolving market and policy expectations.

Actions

Principles included in this strategy
  • Promoting a timber building bioeconomy

Actions for Asset Managers

Phase 3 Strategy 3.2 Asset Managers

Integrate embodied carbon metrics into ESG reporting and portfolio-level performance indicators

Link funding terms directly to carbon and biodiversity metrics. Use third-party LCA and ESG data to verify performance and align returns with sustainability goals.

Tools and Guidance
Principles included in this strategy
  • Accounting for Whole Life Cycle

Phase 5 Strategy 5.1 Asset Managers

Implement regular moisture checks and surface treatments for exposed timber

Tools and Guidance
Principles included in this strategy
  • Accounting for Whole Life Cycle

Phase 5 Strategy 5.2 Asset Managers

Commission end-of-life plans that include timber disassembly instructions and reuse pathways

Tools and Guidance
Principles included in this strategy
  • Maximising the carbon storage potential of wood

Phase 5 Strategy 5.3 Asset Managers

Participate in industry-wide benchmarking or open-source databases for timber performance

Tools and Guidance
Principles included in this strategy
  • Promoting a timber building bioeconomy

Phase 5 Strategy 5.3 Asset Managers

Participate in industry-wide benchmarking or open-source databases for timber performance. Share lessons learned with industry networks and peers to advance collective understanding of responsible timber delivery

Tools and Guidance
Principles included in this strategy
  • Promoting a timber building bioeconomy