Owners & Developers
Property owners and developers sit at a critical point in the construction value chain. The decisions you make at project inception influence not only design and procurement but also the environmental and social impact of every material used.
The construction sector has a pivotal role to play in tackling climate change and biodiversity loss. Property owners and developers are central to that transition. Buildings with strong sustainability credentials are more attractive to investors, occupiers, and funds seeking low-carbon, future-proof assets. Responsible sourcing contributes directly to this positioning.
Timber is central to the transition towards low-carbon construction. But not all timber delivers the same impact. Responsibly sourced timber, verified through robust certification, ensures that forests are managed to protect biodiversity, store carbon, and support communities. By prioritising responsibly sourced timber, you can drive measurable change across your projects and your portfolio.
FSC® Certification
The Forest Stewardship Council runs the world’s leading forest certification system and works to mitigate the climate and biodiversity crises by advancing sustainable forest management worldwide.
FSC-certified timber is available across a wide and growing range of construction applications, from large structural elements to interior finishes.
Your influence: setting the direction for the whole project
As a property owner or developer, you define project requirements early, making you one of the most powerful drivers of responsible sourcing. You can:
Set procurement standards that prioritise certified timber across projects.
Create clear demand signals that incentivise suppliers to invest in certified supply chains.
Embed sustainability into design briefs, ensuring responsible materials are specified from the outset.
Scale impact across portfolios, not just individual developments.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Certified timber supports commercial outcomes as well as environmental ones. It helps protect and enhance asset value, supports ESG performance, and strengthens your position with investors and tenants seeking high-quality, responsible developments.
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Costs can vary depending on availability and procurement approach. However, consistent demand helps stabilise supply and pricing over time. Many developers offset potential cost differences through increased asset value, improved marketability, and stronger ESG performance.
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Proper specification is critical. Vague references to ‘sustainable’ or ‘certified’ wood lack clarity and can be open to interpretation. Specify “FSC-certified timber (Chain of Custody certified)” and require suppliers to confirm valid FSC claims and their certification number at procurement stage.
NOTE: Make sure you ask suppliers to include an FSC claim in their sales documents and check for the claim(s) on the invoices and delivery notes you receive. Checking FSC certificates is insufficient - they demonstrate that an organisation is certified but not whether this covers the products they have supplied to you.
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FSC 100% – from FSC-certified forests
FSC Mix – from FSC-certified, recycled and/or controlled sources
FSC Recycled – from recycled material
Note: Some products may only be available with one of the selected claims.
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All FSC Certificate Holders will have a unique FSC certificate code (e.g. XX-COC-123456) and are listed in the public FSC Certificate Database.
Some contractors may instead opt for FSC Project Certification - you could request this for your project.
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Yes. FSC-certified products can support credits in schemes like LEED and BREEAM by demonstrating responsible sourcing and verified supply chains.
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Availability can vary by products, species and region, so early engagement with certified suppliers is key to maintaining specification compliance.
Note: Where possible, allow some flexibility in specification e.g. by specifying timber performance and characteristics rather than specific species.
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Yes, buildings can be FSC certified under either under FSC Chain of Custody Certification or FSC Project Certification.
