Reducing the land-use impact of wooden buildings with fast-growing biobased materials: A Danish case study

Rasmus Nøddegaard Hansen*, Harpa Birgisdottir, Endrit Hoxha, Francesco Pittau

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

This study explores the potential of the reduced demand for land and increase in biogenic CO2 storage for incorporating crop-based products in wooden buildings. It uses case studies to create a material-flow analysis of future Danish building stock with four market-implementation scenarios. Alternative biobased materials show reductions in the land requirements and improved CO2 storage, especially for single-family and multifamily houses. This causes a decrease of 50–61 % in the use of wooded land. Danish straw can supply almost a 50 % implementation, rising to 100 % when combined with grass materials. Building designers and planners are encouraged to prioritize fast-growing biobased materials to minimize the requirements for land in wooden buildings. To achieve this, policy-makers should harmonize inclusive biobased building codes, upskill the workforce and financially support pre-approved solutions. Equally important is to investigate the cross-sectoral synergies between construction and agriculture to govern land for its enhanced environmental and social benefits.
Original languageEnglish
Article number107926
JournalResources, Conservation and Recycling
Volume212
ISSN0921-3449
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2025

Keywords

  • Biobased buildings
  • Biodiversity
  • Fast-growing biobased materials
  • Land use

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