Softwood Lumber Board Reports Significant Growth and Environmental Impact in 2023

The Softwood Lumber Board (SLB) has released its 2023 Annual Report, detailing significant achievements in demand growth and environmental contributions for the softwood lumber industry. The report highlights an incremental demand of 1.9 billion board feet driven by strategic market expansions and protections.

SLB President & CEO Cees de Jager emphasized the role of wood in providing economic and environmental advantages, noting a total carbon benefit of 5 million metric tons CO2 in 2023 alone. The board’s ongoing initiatives have cumulatively resulted in over 13.7 billion board feet in demand and a net carbon saving of 33.8 million metric tons since 2012.

Key 2023 initiatives included adoption of the IBC 2021 code provisions in 10 new states and significant project developments through Think Wood and WoodWorks. These efforts led to over 156,300 hours of educational programming delivered to industry professionals, fostering increased adoption of wood in both light-frame and mass timber construction.