Timber Beats Steel by 97% on Carbon — Yet Databases Haven’t Caught Up

Why It Matters

Accurate embodied‑carbon data is becoming a regulatory prerequisite, and the study exposes a critical data gap that could delay low‑carbon material adoption in construction. Updating databases will enable designers to meet tightening carbon‑reduction targets.

Key Takeaways

• Engineered wood cuts embodied carbon 97% vs conventional steel.
• Only 18% of emerging materials have documented carbon data.
• Major databases list just glulam, omitting CLT, bamboo, and others.
• Bamboo glulam matches wood strength while delivering net‑negative emissions.

Pulse Analysis

The construction industry now faces a pivotal transition as embodied carbon eclipses operational emissions in a building’s life‑cycle. While renewable electricity reduces use‑phase emissions, the bulk of a structure’s carbon footprint is locked in the materials themselves, especially steel and concrete. By quantifying the carbon intensity of 204 emerging structural materials, the Imperial College team provides a rare, unified dataset that bridges material performance and life‑cycle impact, offering designers a clearer path to decarbonisation.

The study’s headline finding—that engineered timber can slash embodied carbon by up to 97% compared with traditional steel—reinforces a growing body of evidence supporting timber‑based construction. Notably, bamboo glulam emerges as a high‑performing, low‑carbon alternative, delivering net‑negative emissions while matching the mechanical properties of conventional glulam. Yet, despite commercial availability, leading material libraries such as Ansys Granta EduPack still catalog only glulam, leaving CLT, dowel‑laminated timber and bamboo glulam under‑represented. This data omission hampers architects and engineers who rely on these tools for material selection, potentially steering projects toward higher‑carbon options.

Regulatory momentum is accelerating: California’s AB‑2446 and Denmark’s mandatory LCA requirements signal that accurate material data will soon be a compliance baseline. To stay competitive, manufacturers and database providers must integrate comprehensive embodied‑carbon metrics for emerging timber products. Doing so will not only streamline compliance but also unlock market opportunities for sustainable timber innovators, positioning low‑carbon engineered wood as a mainstream choice in future building portfolios.