Mass Timber – Canadian Environmental and Economic Impacts

Mass timber is about more than just beautiful buildings. It’s an innovative construction approach that helps fight climate change while boosting Canada’s economy.

To explore the topic in greater depth, read The Rise of Mass Timber: How Canada is Reshaping Sustainable Construction by Denis Koshelev.

Environmental Benefits of Canadian Mass Timber

As sustainability becomes a central focus of the building industry, Canadian mass timber is emerging as a viable alternative that offers significant environmental advantages. Unlike traditional materials, mass timber is sourced from renewable forests and has the unique ability to sequester carbon, effectively turning new construction into a tool for battling climate change. Plus, mass timber requires less energy to produce, further reducing its carbon footprint.

1. Carbon Sequestration

• Trees naturally absorb CO₂ during growth. When used in buildings, that carbon remains stored for decades, sometimes centuries.

• Each cubic metre of wood stores about one tonne of CO₂.

  
  

2. Lower Embodied Carbon

• Producing steel and concrete is energy-intensive and emits large amounts of greenhouse gases.

• Mass timber replaces these materials, reducing overall emissions while maintaining strength and durability.

  
  

3. Large-Scale Impact

• If mass timber were widely adopted across Canada, it could cut 0.6 million tonnes of CO₂ annually by 2030, equivalent to taking 125,000 cars off the road.

  
  

4. Real-World Example

• The Royal BC Museum’s mass timber Collections and Research Building stores over 3,000 tonnes of CO₂, equal to removing 650 cars from the road each year.

  
  

Economic Growth and Industry Expansion

The global mass timber market is booming:

• Valued at CA$1.9 billion in 2023, it’s projected to reach CA$4.9 billion by 2030.

• Canada holds nearly 20% of the current market, worth $379 million in 2023.

  
  

The Mass Timber Roadmap, launched in June 2024, outlines ambitious goals:

• $1.2 billion Canadian market by 2030

• $2.4 billion by 2035

• Increased domestic production and exports, creating jobs and strengthening local economies.

  
  

Landmark Canadian Projects

• Brock Commons Tallwood House – 18-storey student residence at UBC, once the tallest mass timber hybrid building in the world.

• Limberlost Place (Toronto) – 10-storey net-zero carbon academic building influencing Ontario’s building code updates.

• 31-Storey Hybrid Tower (Toronto) – Approved in 2024, set to be Canada’s tallest mass timber building.

  
  

These projects demonstrate mass timber’s versatility, from student housing to office towers, and its ability to meet the structural demands of modern cities.

Looking Ahead

Mass timber is on track to become a mainstream construction solution in Canada. By combining sustainability, speed, and striking design, it addresses both climate goals and market demands. As adoption spreads, Canada could solidify its position as a global hub for green building innovation.