RE 2020: what consequences for wood craftsmen?

Wood craftsmen: the impact of RE 2020

In force since the beginning of the year, RE 2020 has one major objective: to reduce the carbon footprint of the construction sector. To achieve this, the sector intends to develop and democratize the use of wood, but also of other biosourced materials. For joiners, carpenters and other wood craftsmen, this development is not without consequences.

What changes does RE 2020 bring ?

Succeeding the RT 2012, the RE 2020 is the new environmental regulation applicable since January 1, 2022 for the construction of housing. His ambition? Drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced by construction, one of the most polluting and energy-consuming sectors in France. It therefore concerns all construction professionals, including wood craftsmen.

Namely: 25% of CO2 emissions are attributable to the building sector in France⁽¹⁾.

With this in mind, the RE 2020 has three major new objectives compared to the RT 2012.

1. Analyze the impact of buildings over their entire life cycle (construction, operation, etc.) and no longer just on their energy consumption.
2. Improve the living comfort of the inhabitants, in particular by guaranteeing the coolness of the buildings during the scorching summers.
3. Strengthen the energy performance of buildings, mainly through better insulation.

Why does RE 2020 impact wood craftsmen?

With a view to limiting the environmental impact of buildings, a solution is emerging: increasing the use of biosourced materials, including wood. Whether they are of plant origin (wood, straw, cork, etc.) or animal (sheep’s wool, for example), biosourced materials have several advantages with regard to ER 2020:

• greater CO2 capture, contributing to the improvement of the construction’s carbon footprint;
• better regulation of temperature and humidity, as well as reinforced insulation;
• low emissions of volatile organic compounds, guaranteeing greater comfort and better indoor air quality.

To know: More than 8 out of 10 French people trust the wood industry to reduce CO2 emissions in the construction sector and thus contribute to the ecological transition.⁽²⁾.

How to adapt your business to RE 2020 ?

Instead of traditional materials (cinder block, brick, etc.), the construction sector is led to make massive use of wood to comply with RE 2020 and, more generally, all biosourced materials. Beyond the growth of their activity, wood craftsmen (carpenters, joiners, etc.) must evolve in more ways than one to support this transition.

Namely: 6.5%: this is the share of wood construction in the housing market. A percentage that should increase in the short term depending on the sector ⁽³⁾.

• Build skills: with RE 2020, the uses of wood in construction should greatly develop (structure, insulation, equipment, etc.). For professionals, the challenge is to train in these new uses in order to meet a real need.
• Adopt bio-based materials: in addition to wood, all bio-based materials should see their use explode. Wood craftsmen will therefore have to develop new skills in order to be able to employ them.
• Rethink Sourcing: Due to increased demand, artisans may find it difficult to source wood at a competitive price. This requires you to choose your suppliers carefully, to review your supply circuits and possibly to favor labeled materials (biosourced product for example).