C 184/24
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
25.5.2023
ANNEX
The supplementary opinion of the Consultative Commission on Industrial Change — ‘Industry 5.0 in the wooden construction sector’ can be found on the following pages:
Opinion of the Consultative Commission on Industrial Change on ‘Industry 5.0 in the wooden construction sector’ (supplementary opinion to TEN/794)
Rapporteur: Martin BÖHME Co-rapporteur: Rolf GEHRING
Plenary assembly decision
15.11.2022
Legal basis
Rule 56(1) of the Rules of Procedure Supplementary opinion
Section responsible
Consultative Commission on Industrial Change (CCMI)
Adopted in CCMI
27.2.2023
Outcome of vote (for/against/abstentions)
29/0/3
1.
Conclusions and recommendations 1.1.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) stresses that the use of wood as a building material presents a great opportunity, as it is a sustainable and cost-effective alternative and complement to traditional building materials such as concrete and steel.
Another advantage is the high labour productivity of timber construction, which allows for faster and more efficient construction of buildings.
The possibility of prefabricating components in factories also reduces costs and increases safety during construction.
1.2.
Education, training and lifelong learning of the workforce in the field of timber construction is more important than ever.
Education and training must be the result of social dialogue with the involvement of all social partners.
1.3.
The EESC sees significant opportunities for workers, especially in rural areas, in the development of the timber construction sector.
Good jobs in the wood industry and timber construction can help to improve the economic situation in rural areas where the wood industry plays an important role.
1.4.
The EESC underlines the many environmental benefits of timber construction.
One of the biggest advantages is that wood is a renewable raw material that produces lower carbon emissions than other building materials in the production of components and buildings, and over their life cycle.
Furthermore, the use of wood in the construction sector promotes the conservation and maintenance of forests, by providing incentives for sustainable forest management.
Wood absorbs and stores CO2 from the atmosphere as it grows.
Thus, when it is used for building, it becomes a green building material and contributes to the overall reduction in greenhouse gases.
1.5.
The EESC refers to its recent publications on construction and construction products, in particular opinions Harmonised conditions for the marketing of construction products (1) and Wooden construction for CO2 reduction in the building sector (2).
(1) (2)
OJ C 75, 28.2.2023, p. 159.
Wooden construction for CO2 reduction in the building sector (see OJ, p. 18).