A Greener Europe

Submitted by: The Two Sides Team May 27, 2015

The Austrian pavilion at the 2015 World Expo in Milan demonstrates how the pavilion’s ‘green’ architecture could serve as a model for cities of the future. Entering the pavilion is like entering an Austrian forest. The fresh air from the forest is being channelled to the internal buildings and acting as a natural ventilation system. 

And sustainable buildings are just the start. Wood-based bio fuels are being developed which are significantly more environmentally friendly than fossil fuels. Car parts, which are traditionally made from plastic, are being designed out of wood-based bio materials. Enormous wooden structures are appearing across the world, such as Wood City in Helsinki, Finland – a 28,000 sq. meter building comprising of apartments, a hotel and offices. Vienna will begin construction this year on what will be the world’s tallest wooden building, standing at 84 meters tall.

Wood is 100% renewable and one of the few truly sustainable products. In the last 20 years, European forests have grown by 17 million hectares, that’s twice the size of Portugal!  

Forests not only provide the raw materials for construction, wood-based products and fuels, but they also provide something a little more special that we can all enjoy. They are a place of beauty, relaxation and excitement. In the UK, Forest trips increased 11% in 2014- as families opt for adventures in the trees, rather than walks on the beaches. 

Forests have provided for life on Earth throughout history, a source of shelter, food and materials. They will undoubtedly continue to provide for us for millennia to come, as we continue to develop new ways to harness this wonderful and sustainable resource. 

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