Climate concern, wood's perceived climate benefits, and attitudes as predictors of intention to live in multi-storey wooden buildings

Roos, Anders; Toivonen, Ritva; Franzini, Florencia; Mark-Herbert, Cecilia; Toppinen, Anne M. K.; Widmark, Camilla; Nyrud, Anders Qvale; Hoen, Hans Fredrik

doi:10.1016/j.sftr.2025.101617

Research article2026Peer reviewedOpen access

Climate concern, wood's perceived climate benefits, and attitudes as predictors of intention to live in multi-storey wooden buildings

Roos, Anders; Toivonen, Ritva; Franzini, Florencia; Mark-Herbert, Cecilia; Toppinen, Anne M. K.; Widmark, Camilla; Nyrud, Anders Qvale; Hoen, Hans Fredrik

Abstract

The built environment is a major contributor to global emissions, making the transition to low-carbon construction materials critical for climate mitigation. Multi-storey wooden buildings (MSWBs) have emerged as a sustainable alternative due to their carbon storage capacity and lower embodied emissions compared to conventional multi-storey buildings. However, consumer acceptability for MSWBs remains uncertain. This study draws on cognitive-motivational consumer models, expectancy-value theory, and Signalling Theory to examine the effect of climate beliefs and concern, belief on climate impact of wood construction, and MSWB attitudes on the intention to live in MSWBs. The relationships are tested using structural equation modelling applying survey data from 7053 respondents across seven European countries. The study finds that stronger climate beliefs and concern enhance perceptions of wood's climate benefits, which in turn influence both attitudes and housing intentions. However, attitudes toward multi-storey wooden buildings-particularly regarding comfort, health, and functionality-are stronger predictors of intention than beliefs alone, indicating a mediating role of attitudes. Cross-country differences highlight the role of cultural and regulatory contexts. The results suggest that policymakers and industry should emphasize and develop the climate benefits of MSWBs alongside improvements in perceived comfort and functionality. This study advances sustainable housing research by integrating environmental psychology and consumer behaviour perspectives.

Keywords

Consumer preferences; Climate beliefs; Timber construction; Structural equation modelling

Published in

Sustainable Futures
2026, volume: 11, article number: 101617

SLU Authors

Roos, Anders
- Department of Forest Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Mark-Herbert, Cecilia
- Department of Forest Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Widmark, Camilla
- Department of Forest Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

UKÄ Subject classification

Construction Management
Business Administration

Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sftr.2025.101617

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/145580