Germany’s Third Voluntary National Review (VNR) to the HLPF 2025

    Sustainable construction and sustainable mobility The bioeconomy: the German Government’s Timber Construction Initiative as an example

    The bioeconomy means more sustainable economic activity in all sectors that prepare, process or supply biogenic resources. This includes related services such as consultancy, retail and catering. The bioeconomy encompasses the safe and sustainable production, processing and marketing of food and feedstuffs such as fish, as well as timber and other agricultural raw materials of plant or animal origin, and the production and marketing of sustainable, bio-based goods. The aim is to establish and strengthen markets for products manufactured from or using sustainable, biogenic raw materials so that fossil fuels can be replaced wholly or partially by biogenic residues and renewable raw materials.

    The sectors of the bioeconomy are of major significance for global food security and the transformation towards a sustainable, bio-based and natural cycle-oriented economy. The Charter for Wood 2.0 dialogue process supports responsible policy on wood as a resource and thus underlines key goals for timber value chains, the circular economy, cascading and sustainable raw materials supply, particularly for timber construction.

    With the Timber Construction Initiative, the German Government has launched a strategy to boost the use of wood in the building sector as a key contribution to climate-friendly and resource-efficient construction.

    The construction and housing sectors have a particular responsibility to protect the climate. The construction industry is a key driver of greenhouse gas emissions. Timber construction and construction with renewable raw materials can, in comparison to construction methods using non-renewable raw materials, contribute significantly to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and serve as a carbon sink. The German Government’s Timber Construction Initiative (HBI) therefore promotes the use of wood – a sustainable raw material – and other renewable raw materials in the construction sector, thereby furthering the goals of climate action, resource efficiency and more rapid construction.

    The strategy identifies eight fields of action, ranging from the German Government’s function as a role model and strengthening research and innovation to securing skilled workers, knowledge transfer and the supply of raw materials. The aim is to significantly increase the use of wood and boost the timber construction rate by 2030. Barriers will be removed and opportunities for fair competition in the use of the various types of building material will be guaranteed. Not least, serial and modular construction with shorter production and build times is intended to support the provision of affordable, climate-friendly housing.


    Further information

    As at: 17.06.2025