The IMPACTT (Innovative Mapping and Processes to Advance Construction Timber Transparency) project set out to close the gap between construction and forestry. With the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) on the horizon, it also served as an early-stage pilot for timber traceability.
Supply chains for 11 mass-timber buildings across Europe were mapped, with the results presented as interactive journeys that follow wood from forest to building. Several of the projects are well-known CLT landmarks. The team carefully selected schemes that combine strong community value with thoughtful design; each building has its own story, and so does the structural timber it contains.
Explore the interactive Supply Chain Maps here.
The project also included a sector-wide survey on timber sourcing and Sustainable Forest Management. Responses highlighted common misconceptions—for example, the belief that managed forests are “ecological deserts.” These insights, along with evidence to dispel such myths, are set out in the Knowledge-Gap & Misconception Guide. This publication offers a straightforward introduction to forestry, certification, and timber sourcing, making it a useful starting point for anyone new to the subject.
Download the guide here.
Finally, IMPACTT explored how certification schemes, such as PEFC, might incorporate carbon and biodiversity data into future assessments. Gathering life-cycle carbon data proved relatively straightforward, whereas measuring forest biodiversity remains more complex—there is no single agreed metric. A workshop with eDNA analysts, forest owners, forestry specialists, and academics discusses this challenge in depth.
(See the full analysis in the report, pp. 28–39.)
The IMPACTT project was led by The Alliance for Sustainable Building Products (ASBP), with the generous support of Built by Nature, whose mission is to advance the responsible use of timber and biobased materials in the built environment. We thank our project partners—PEFC UK, DoubleHelix, Woodknowledge Wales, Agrodome, Stora Enso, Eurban, CEI-Bois, and TDUK—for their collaboration and expertise.
For further information, please contact project lead Dr. Asselia Katenbayeva at asselia@asbp.org.uk.