Science - the heart of SITCA
SITCA’s scientific program focuses on the critical questions that determine whether timber construction can become a scalable climate solution. Together with leading researchers, we generate the evidence needed to understand wood availability, carbon storage, competitiveness, and the policy conditions required to accelerate the transition towards a climate-positive built environment.Our Scientific Focus Areas
Preliminary, under ongoing review and adjustments
Wood Availability
Can timber construction be scaled without compromising forests, biodiversity, or other wood-based industries?
Understanding future wood supply, forest productivity, sustainable harvesting levels, and the capacity of the forest-based value chain.
Competitiveness
What determines the competitiveness of timber construction and how can it be enhanced?
Investigating technical performance, costs, market conditions, supply chains, and the economic viability of timber construction systems.
Carbon Accounting
How can the climate benefits of timber construction be measured and compared consistently?
Developing robust approaches to account for carbon storage in buildings, the forest–construction carbon pump, and long-term carbon removal.
Policy & Regulatory Frameworks
Which institutional conditions are needed to unlock timber construction at scale?
Identifying barriers and enabling mechanisms in regulations, standards, certification systems, procurement, and public policy.