Amsterdam Recommits to Timber Construction with New Pact Supported by Built by Nature

Amsterdam and over 100 partners have signed the MRA Timber Construction Pact 2026–2030, continuing their earlier commitment and setting a clear target: at least 20% of new real estate will be built with timber and other biobased materials by 2030. Built by Nature supports this next phase with a development grant to accelerate timber adoption across the region.

See the Pact

A Clear Target for Climate and Housing

Amsterdam faces a dual challenge: delivering thousands of new homes while cutting carbon emissions. By 2035, the city needs 7,500 new homes annually. Timber construction offers a proven solution—reducing CO₂ emissions, enabling circular building practices, and speeding up delivery through prefabrication and modular design.

The new pact builds on the success of the earlier MRA Timber Construction Covenant (2021–2025), which helped increase timber construction from just 0.5% of new homes in 2021 to 8% in Amsterdam today. The ambition for 20% by 2030 is bold, but achievable.

Amsterdam’s Growing Expertise in Timber Innovation

Amsterdam is not starting from scratch. The city has built a strong track record in supporting cutting-edge timber projects across residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments. A standout example is HAUT, Amsterdam’s tallest wooden residential building at 73 meters.

This 21-story tower, designed by Built by Nature frontrunner Team V, used 2,800 cubic meters of PEFC-certified timber, storing 1,800 tonnes of CO₂ and reducing its carbon footprint by 50% compared to conventional construction. Even more remarkably, the amount of wood used grows back in less than two hours in sustainably managed Austrian forests. HAUT demonstrates how timber can scale to high-rise urban living while delivering climate benefits and architectural excellence.

What’s Next

The MRA Timber Construction Pact 2026–2030 expands timber use beyond housing to offices and schools. Municipalities will integrate timber targets into urban planning, incentivize market adoption through tenders, and share knowledge across sectors. The pact also introduces a benchmarking tool to track progress—creating a replicable model for other cities.

Built by Nature’s Role

Built by Nature is proud to support this next phase with a €175,000 development grant. The project aims to accelerate timber construction and enable 3,000 timber buildings annually in the MRA. This initiative demonstrates how public–private collaboration can drive systemic change and inspire similar commitments worldwide.

A Model for Others

The MRA’s clear target and collaborative approach offer a powerful example for policymakers and industry leaders. By combining modular design, industrial production, and digital integration, timber construction delivers faster, cleaner, and more precise building solutions, helping cities meet climate goals while addressing housing needs.