Construction & Mass Timber
As the world's largest buyer of timber products, the construction industry has the power to positively influence the future of forests by demanding the sustainable sourcing of building materials.
Rating systems, such as the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), provide credits for FSC-certified wood and materials, which helps projects achieve these leading designations while driving positive change throughout the supply chain.
Why Choose FSC-Certified Wood?
Wood is a renewable, recyclable resource that has a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to materials like steel and concrete. Choosing FSC-certified wood ensures that your materials come from responsibly managed forests that meet the highest environmental and social standards.
Here are a few more reasons to choose FSC-certified wood:
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Lower Carbon Impact
FSC-certified working forests store up to 29% more carbon than conventionally managed forests, helping combat climate change.
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Biodiversity Protection
Certified forests safeguard endangered species, critical habitats, and water sources.
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Upholding Indigenous Peoples Rights
FSC certification requires Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) and upholds Indigenous land rights
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Preventing Deforestation and Forest Degradation
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Better Consumer Confidence
80% of consumers who recognize FSC trust brands that offer FSC-certified products (Ipsos, 2023).
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Supply Chain Transparency
FSC's Chain of Custody certification ensures traceability from forest to final product.
Wood Products Available with FSC Certification
FSC-certified wood is available in a variety of applications, from mass timber to flooring, cabinetry, and decorative finishes. Whether you're working on residential, commercial, or infrastructure projects, FSC wood provides a responsible alternative without compromising quality or durability. Examples include:
- Structural Materials: Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), Glulam, Dimensional Lumber
- Finishing Materials: Flooring, Panels, Cabinetry, Veneers
- Outdoor Applications: Decking, Siding, Fencing
Need help finding FSC-certified materials? Email us at info@ca.fsc.org.
Interested in Getting Your Wood Product Certified?
If your company is involved in the transformation, processing, manufacturing or distribution of a forest-based product and you want to get certified so you can apply an FSC label to your products and/or sell them with an FSC claim, please reach out here. We can help.
This includes, but it not limited to:
- Mass Timber manufacturers
- Furniture manufacturers
- Lumber manufacturers
- Pre-fabricated housing
- Plywood
- Custom Millwork
- Flooring
- Cabinetry
For Architects, Developers and Contractors
By integrating FSC-certified wood, building projects can not only enhance their environmental credentials but also align with the broader sustainability goals across these certifications, reinforcing a commitment to sustainability and responsible resource management. Here are some sustainable synergies:
Environmental Performance
FSC certification directly supports environmental credits across LEED, WELL, BOMA BEST, One Planet Living, and GRESB, as it ensures sustainable forestry practices and promotes the use of low-carbon materials.
Material Transparency and Sourcing
LEED, WELL, and Fitwel recognize FSC-certified wood for its transparency and responsible sourcing, enhancing sustainable construction practices.
Human Health & Well-Being
FSC mass timber contributes to healthy indoor environments in WELL and Fitwel by reducing harmful environmental impacts.
ESG Goals
GRESB’s focus on ESG factors is complemented by FSC’s commitment to social and environmental responsibility, improving ESG scores in real estate portfolios.
FSC & LEED
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a green building rating system with a voluntary framework that sets guidelines for sustainable design and construction in commercial and residential buildings.
The Certified Wood Credit in LEED has arguably been the most important driver of forest conservation and sustainability in modern history. It has contributed to tens of millions of acres of improved forest management and has protected both forests and their workers in their community.
While there are multiple credits you can earn, the key credit in LEED v4 you can receive utilizing FSC-certified wood is known as “Building product disclosure and optimization - sourcing of raw materials.” To receive the credit, a project must use products that meet one of several responsible sourcing criteria, including FSC, for at least 20% by cost of the total value of permanently installed building products.
FSC & The Living Building Challenge
The Living Building Challenge requires all wood used in projects to be FSC certified, from salvaged sources, or intentionally harvested from onsite timber for the purpose of clearing the site.
Learn more on the Living Building Challenge.
Leaders in Green Building
Nordic Structures
Formula 1 Grand Prix Paddocks
Ready. Set. Go. F1 gets a new more permanent home made with FSC certified cross laminated timber.
As part of a renewal agreement for the Canadian Grand Prix, the City of Montreal committed to replacing the temporary structures used for the Formula 1 race with a permanent building that would accommodate the needs of the event.
The new paddock would need to include garages for the racing teams, office space, rooms for the race sponsor, lounge space for 5,000 people, and a media center for journalists and broadcasters all within a short 10 month period and a budget of $60 million CAD.
Designed by Les Architects FABG, the multi-purpose facility roof structure incorporates FSC-certified cross-laminated (CLT) timber, glued-laminated beams and CLT decking supplied by Nordic Structures.
Wood’s vital role in Québec City’s Vidéotron Centre
A multi-purpose indoor arena
Designed with a hybrid steel/glulam wood structure, wood was chosen for its sustainability, structural integrity, performance, and beauty. The arena features 92 FSC-certified glulam timber columns and composite glulam arches, using 473 m³ of local black spruce and sequestering 362 tons of CO2.
The wood structure has only one intermediate support point over its 25 m height, showcasing the material's capabilities.
Opened with a capacity of 18,482 for hockey and 20,396 for other events, the Vidéotron Centre demonstrates how wood can be used to create a striking, high-performance venue that supports sustainability goals.
Continuing Education Course – Sustainable Mass Timber Adoption
FSC is hosting a limited number of one-hour, live or online, lunch & learn style presentations – including Q&A - for architectural firms and developers. This session qualifies for a one-hour continuing education credit for architects.
To learn more or to schedule your own presentation, please email us here.
You can expect to learn:
- Key factors behind mass timber's growth, including technical advancements, manufacturing and policy limitations, sustainability drivers, and industry best practices for resilient adoption.
- The tools, strategies, and resources that building professionals can use to contribute to market transformation and sustainable forest management practices.
- The role of FSC-certified materials in promoting responsible forestry and how they align with standards like LEED, WELL and more.
- How to procure and document these materials to earn FSC credits.
By the end of this course, participants will be equipped with strategies to support the resilient, sustainable adoption of mass timber.
Project Certification
FSC has a tailor-made certification called project certification for companies and organizations involved in construction, building or renovation projects using wooden building materials.
It can be builders, consultants, home and module manufacturers, craftsmen, contractors, construction companies and other construction companies.
Project certification is an easy and financially manageable way to document and communicate that a project uses wood from responsibly managed forests and other controlled sources.
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