The Green Party has welcomed a motion that has been passed for South Dublin County Council (SDCC) to adopt a 'Wood First' policy.

The policy requires the use of wood as the primary building material where practical in all new and modified South Dublin County Council funded buildings, following a motion from Green Party Councillor Francis Noel Duffy.

Cllr Duffy said: "I am delighted this passed unanimously, which will allow South Dublin County Council to lead the way in sustainable procurement practices, with a view to shaping public perception of sustainable construction methods. Growing native timber for the construction industry locally also creates sustainable employment, and offers many side benefits, including recreational facilities, water purification, arrests soil erosion and flooding.

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"It is scientifically evident that timber can play a sustainable role in the Irish construction industry through actively storing carbon unlike other materials, reducing CO2 emissions and embodied energy in the production process. SDCC is the first Council in Ireland follow international policies including the 'Wood First Act' in British Columbia, Japan's 'Law No. 36' promoting the use of Wood materials for Public Buildings, and closer to home, Hackney in London became the first Local Authority to promote timber construction in its planning policy."

(CD)