A little over 30% of land in Switzerland is covered with forests. Each of these forests are managed and used differently, based on factors such as ownership, policy, climate, accessibility, and tree species. These factors influence how much wood is produced, how susceptible forests are to pests, how vulnerable they are to climate extremes—and ultimately, how much CO₂ they can capture and store.

The wood construction industry traditionally relies on high-quality timber from specific tree species. Other tree species, which grow more irregularly, are often underutilized or burned for energy. With increasing risks from climate change and pests, a stable supply of high-quality wood can no longer be guaranteed in the long term, so it is essential to diversify construction technologies in ways that support more flexible and resilient sourcing strategies.

In the past, wood was mostly used close to where it was grown. Today, timber often travels across countries—sometimes even several—before it’s used in building. How much wood is harvested, how forests are managed, and how wood moves through global markets can make a big difference for biodiversity and carbon emissions. This means the same wooden building can be much more—or much less—sustainable depending on where its wood comes from.

At MainWood, our researchers develop future scenarios of timber supply that compare Swiss sources with international alternatives. We integrate economic and biodiversity data into models that generate scenarios, helping us understand the environmental impacts of using domestic versus imported wood for Swiss construction.

Switzerland has a long tradition of using wood, and the market has always adapted to changing supply and demand. Today, environmental concerns are making sustainable construction materials more important than ever. But under what conditions do new, innovative wood products actually break through in the market?