IJM
SUSTAINABILITY
Learn more about how IJM strives to meet and surpass our sustainability commitments on every project we complete.
In Ireland, the Climate Action & Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act (2021) has set a legally binding target of a 51% reduction in national CO2eq emissions by 2030 and an overall climate neutral economy by 2050.
Evidently for the sake of combatting the climate crisis, it is of paramount importance that embodied carbon emissions are reduced. The implementation of timber frame for the construction of dwellings is crucial to this.
Timber frame provides the following benefits:
Renewable Resource
Timber is a renewable resource, as trees can be replanted and harvested sustainably. Responsible forestry practices ensure the long-term health of forests.
Carbon Sequestration
Wood products, including timber used in framing, sequester carbon dioxide throughout their lifecycle. Trees absorb carbon dioxide during their growth, and this carbon remains stored in the wood even after harvesting.
Energy Efficiency
IJM prefabricate all kits in a controlled environment. This results in superior levels of precision in our kits and more importantly, high quality, energy-efficient buildings. Wood has natural insulating properties, providing good thermal performance. This reduces the need for additional energy-consuming materials in construction.
Low-Embodied Energy
The manufacturing process of timber products generally requires less energy compared to other building materials like steel or concrete. This low embodied energy contributes to the overall sustainability of timber framing. This is true for our products, and even more so due to our streamlined manufacturing process and commitment to reducing our carbon footprint.
Biodegradability
At the end of its life, timber can be recycled or left to biodegrade naturally, minimizing the environmental impact of disposal.
Adaptability and Prefabrication
IJM prefabricate off-site, reducing on-site construction time and minimizing disruption to the surrounding environment. Prefabrication also results in less waste and more efficient use of materials.
URBANVOLT
Since the beginning of 2023, IJM, in partnership with URBANVOLT – an award winning, innovative solar company, have installed highly efficient solar panels at our facilities, which in 2023 supported 25% of all operational energy needs.
Environmental Product Declarations
Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are comprehensive documents that provide transparent and scientifically grounded information about the environmental impacts of a product throughout its lifecycle. In Europe, EPDs conform to the European Standard EN 15804, which outlines rules for assessing a product’s environmental impacts across its life cycle, using life cycle assessment (LCA). It specifies indicators like carbon emissions and water usage, mandates data quality, and encourages transparent communication. Its goal is to promote sustainability by providing reliable environmental information for construction product choices.
IJM is currently in the process of creating EPDs for our products, which will allow us to communicate accurate and verifiable information about the environmental impact to our customers and the public. This is being done with OneClick LCA, world-leading software for life-cycle assessment (LCA) and environmental product declaration. Verification and publication are being completed with EPD Hub, who provide third-party verified, trusted carbon and environmental data about products.
Our Team
Meet the full IJM Timberframe team, learn more about their expertise and the roles within our company.
Enquire now
If you are interested on working with us on a project, please get in touch.