Wood

Wood is still a major building material and we can all help to minimise the environmental impact by sourcing it thoughtfully.

When replacing timber products such as flooring, doors or window frames, we can ease the pressure on the world's forests by buying wood from an independently certified source, or by using reclaimed timber.

Look out for timber and paper products with the FSC and PEFC logos; the wood has been approved by the Forest Stewardship Council and Programmes for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes Council and has come from an independently certified source.

Visit the FSC and PEFC Council websites for more details on their work and approved products:
www.fsc-uk.org.
www.pefc.co.uk.

Forests play a vital role in regulating the climate, stabilising soil, preventing erosion and storing and purifying water. Woods and forests are also home to an incredible amount of biodiversity, including many endangered species. However, natural forests all over the world, including the UK, are being destroyed - every year an area of rainforest the size of England is cut down to provide timber, space for crops and urban development.

The UK requires at least 6.4 million hectares of forest - an area nine times the size of Ireland - to supply our annual demand for timber products. Up to 60% of tropical timber imported by the UK is thought to be illegally sourced.