See how Sweden is planning to create a 'wooden city' with thousands of homes and offices

Buildings account for as much as 40% of global carbon-dioxide emissions, so finding ways to green their construction is essential in fighting the climate crisis, Atrium Ljungberg said.

There is an emerging trend of architechts turning to "mass timber" to build high-rises and other buildings. The material is similar in strength to steel and concrete, and its advocates argue wood is more environmentally friendly.

Several studies show that substituting mass timber for steel and concrete can decrease greenhouse gas emissions by up to 26.5%. But using more wood also raises questions about the impact on forests, which store carbon dioxide and sustain the livelihoods of many communities, according to researchers. There is disagreement over whether forests are most effective in reducing carbon emissions when left alone, or managed sustainably and harvested for wood production.

Atrium Ljungberg said studies show that wooden buildings "provide better air quality, reduce stress, increase productivity and store carbon dioxide" while they're in use.

The development is set to include workplaces, housing, restaurants, and shops.

The Stockholm project is billed as the largest wooden city, and several developments in other parts of the world also feature timber towers.