How Are Global Climate Policies Reshaping Building Material Choices?

Global climate policies affect not only energy use and carbon management, but directly influence every step in the construction sector—from the selection of materials to production processes. With the Paris Agreement, as countries have begun translating their emission reduction targets into legal frameworks, the transition to low-carbon, environmentally friendly materials that offer sustainable performance throughout their lifecycle has become inevitable in the building industry. At the center of this transformation are natural, renewable materials with low environmental impact. In this article, we share the details of this topic.

Why Do Global Climate Targets Bring New Standards for Building Materials?

A significant portion of greenhouse gas emissions originates from the construction sector. Therefore, within the context of the transition to a carbon-neutral economy, global policies are introducing new standards focusing on the carbon footprint of building materials, the energy efficiency of production processes, and the sustainability of the supply chain.

How does the Paris Agreement affect the construction sector?

The Paris Agreement:

  • Obligates countries to turn their carbon reduction commitments into national policy.
     

  • Encourages a reduction in the carbon intensity of materials used in the construction sector.
     

  • Makes green transformation mandatory, prioritizing natural and low-carbon materials.
     

  • Promotes the development and use of energy-efficient buildings.
     

For this reason, material choices in modern projects are now evaluated not only by aesthetics, but also by their alignment with climate targets.

What do low-carbon material requirements mean?

Low-carbon material requirements lead to the following:

  • The production process must be low-emission.
     

  • The environmental impact of the supply chain must be evaluated as a whole.
     

  • Materials that are recyclable and sourced from renewable resources are prioritized.
     

  • Total carbon emissions throughout the material’s lifecycle must be minimized.
     

In this context, natural and chemical-free materials such as thermowood are moving to the forefront.

Why Are Sustainable Building Materials No Longer an Option but a Necessity?

Climate change, rising energy costs, and global carbon-neutral targets have turned sustainable materials from a preference into an obligation. In order for projects to comply with international standards, materials with low environmental impact throughout their lifecycle must be used.

What should be done to reduce the carbon footprint in the construction sector?

  • The use of high-energy materials such as concrete and steel must be reduced.
     

  • The transition to natural and renewable materials must be accelerated.
     

  • Low-emission technologies must be used in production.
     

  • Materials compliant with green building certifications should be preferred.
     

  • Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) must become a standard practice.
     

Why do natural materials like thermowood stand out?

  • They are free of chemicals.
     

  • Their durability is enhanced using only heat and steam.
     

  • The carbon emissions of the production process are very low.
     

  • They are carbon-storing materials.
     

  • Their long lifespan supports energy and resource efficiency.
     

These features make thermowood an ideal choice for sustainable building projects.

Why has the search for alternatives to concrete and steel accelerated?

  • They generate very high carbon emissions.
     

  • Rising energy costs have made these materials more challenging economically.
     

  • Global policies are introducing standards that restrict the use of such materials.
     

  • Designers are turning toward lighter, more natural alternatives with a lower carbon footprint.
     

How Do Green Building Certifications (LEED, BREEAM) Influence Material Choices?

International green building certifications include concrete criteria that ensure projects are environmentally responsible. The way materials are produced, their sources, recyclability, carbon emissions, and their impact on indoor health are all decisive factors in these certifications.

What advantages do natural materials provide in these certifications?

  • They earn high scores as they are sourced from renewable resources.
     

  • Chemical-free production processes contribute positively to indoor air quality.
     

  • A low carbon footprint creates significant advantages in the “materials and resources” category.
     

  • Products such as thermowood belong to the preferred material class in environmental certifications.
     

Why is material life cycle assessment important?

LCA (Life Cycle Assessment):

  • Measures the environmental impact of a material from production to disposal.
     

  • Ensures that material choices in sustainable projects are based on scientific foundations.
     

  • Evaluates long-term performance and extends the service life of the building.
     

Materials with high LCA scores hold critical importance in the building standards of the future.

Why are the costs of high-emission materials increasing?

  • The spread of carbon taxes
     

  • Rising energy costs
     

  • The introduction of carbon quota systems
     

  • Production processes becoming more expensive due to legal obligations
     

High-emission materials are now disadvantageous both environmentally and economically.

How do low-carbon options like thermowood provide long-term savings?

  • Lower maintenance costs
     

  • Longer service life
     

  • A production model that is not affected by carbon taxes
     

  • A building performance that supports high energy efficiency
     

In the long run, sustainable materials enable the initial investment to be recovered more quickly.

How Do Climate Policies Change Urban Planning and Building Design?

Urban planning and architectural design are no longer purely aesthetic processes; they have evolved into strategic approaches centered on carbon management, energy efficiency, and harmony with nature. For this reason, natural, lightweight, and low-carbon materials are being increasingly preferred in modern cities.

Which natural materials are most suitable for building design?

  • Thermo Ayous: Preferred for façades due to its lightness and aesthetic appearance.
     

  • Thermo Pine:Thanks to its durability, Thermo Pine is suitable for a wide range of indoor and outdoor architectural applications, including cladding, sunshades, ceilings, decking, and urban furniture.
     

  • Iroko: Delivers superior performance in harsh climate conditions with its high strength.
     

  • Oak / Ash: Suitable for interior floors and high-traffic areas.
     

Why are brands with sustainable production more preferred?

  • They comply with green building certifications.
     

  • Their supply chain is transparent.
     

  • They consume less energy in production.
     

  • They reduce resource consumption through long-lasting products.
     

  • They create trust in the market.
     

Architects and investors increasingly prefer brands with a sustainable production culture as a strategic choice.

How does thermal modification technology protect the environment?

Thermowood technology:

  • It is developed using heat and steam without chemicals.
     

  • Preserves the natural structure of wood and does not produce toxic waste.
     

  • Provides low carbon emissions during production.
     

  • Reduces resource consumption through long-lasting performance.
     

With these features, thermal modification stands out as one of the environmentally friendly production techniques.

How Do Novawood’s Sustainability-Focused Products Align with These New Policies?

In line with Thermowood Association standards, Novawood meets all sustainability criteria required by climate policies with its chemical-free, eco-friendly, and long-lasting thermowood products.

  • All products go through low-carbon production processes.
     

  • They are sourced from FSC and PEFC certified, sustainable forests.
     

  • Thermal modification technology ensures long-lasting use.
     

  • They are 100% compatible with climate policies in urban design, façade cladding, and outdoor projects.
     

Novawood’s product range successfully meets the building material standards needed to support the sustainable cities of both today and tomorrow.