Softwood Lumber Board and U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Support Net-Zero Carbon Construction

The Softwood Lumber Board (SLB), an industry-funded initiative established to promote the benefits and use of softwood lumber products in outdoor, residential and non-residential construction and to increase the demand for appearance and softwood lumber products, announced on Wednesday (9-22-21) that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will build on the existing collaborative relationship between the SLB and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Under the terms of the MOU, effective immediately, the SLB and USDA will expand a public-private partnership that seeks to grow demand for wood products as natural climate solutions. The organizations will jointly explore and coordinate additional market development, research, technological advances, and other activities to expand the use of wood in the built environment. Through increased partnerships and co-funding of joint initiatives, the SLB and USDA will achieve shared goals and objectives and deliver them at a rate that is more efficient and effective than working separately.

Commenting on the MOU, Cees de Jager, SLB President and CEO said, “Transforming buildings from carbon emitters to carbon sinks by incorporating sustainably harvested and produced wood products from public and private timberlands benefits the environment and the economy more effectively than many other climate solutions currently available.”