The announcement of a Centre for Expertise in Sustainable Procurement has been welcomed by the timber trade as a means for timber to prove its green credentials against other materials.

Stewart Dalgarno, chairman of the UK Timber Frame Association, said the centre, announced in last week’s budget, would enable all building materials to "provide a clear audit trail" and show they are capable of satisfying the green agenda.

Until now, timber has been the only building material singled out in government procurement, through the Central Point of Expertise on Timber.

"At a time when everyone’s claiming to be greener than green - even the world’s most polluting building materials - it’s absolutely right that all sectors are scrutinised and provide a clear audit trail to prove their sustainability credentials," said Mr Dalgarno. "Timber has a head start in this respect."

Timber Trade Federation chief executive John White said the centre would open up the debate about sustainable procurement practices being extended to all materials.

“Why should timber be the only material to be focused on? We have the best environmental credentials known to man if the timber is sourced sustainably," he said.

"Other materials are lowering their environmental impact but they’re never going to be as low as timber and they will never be renewable."

Mr Dalgarno added that the government's decision to clarify its definition of zero carbon home would help developers and house builders "plan a sensible route plan to 2016".

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