Combating human-induced climate change is a key challenge of this age, and requires a wide range of concerted actions. Preferential use of wood products can make a positive contribution - both in terms of mitigating the negative effects of climate change and fostering sustainable development. But citizens and consumers need to know all the facts about using wood products in order to help make these contributions. This briefing paper aims to improve public information on how to reduce negative impacts on the environment through preferential use of wood products.The paper's key points include:wood is better for the climate than a range of alternativesmore wood use, and improved wood use would help mitigate climate changeEuropean wood has strong sustainability credentials - but there is still much room for improvementelsewhere, sustainable forest management is often an elusive goalif carefully done, forestry can play a part in mitigating climate change whilst furthering the cause of sustainable development