The availability of a comprehensive picture of atmospheric emissions from different sources allows to understand trade-offs and co-benefits between different policies in the sector of household heating. Wood combustion in small domestic appliances has relevant emissions of pollutants dangerous for human health, such as fine particulates and B(a)P, as well as carbonaceous particles with a radiative forcing for the atmosphere such as elemental carbon (EC, called also black carbon) and organic carbon (OC). EC+OC contribution to the CO2eq emissions in Lombardy in 2008, estimated on the basis of GWP100 values proposed in literature, results to be on average about 2.7 % of other greenhouse gas CO2eq emissions in Lombardy in 2008. If the upper range of EC and OC emissions or GWP20 were assumed, EC+OC contribution to regional CO2eq emissions would increase and the carbonaceous fractions of particulate matter would become an important radiative forcing source. Residential wood combustion contribute to 20% of total EC+OC emissions and is due mainly to old appliances (open fireplace and stoves) that give also the greatest contribute to PM and B(a)P emissions. The resulting evidences indicate that the natural renewal of appliances will allow a reduction of all the emissions from RWC in the 2010-2020 period. Specific policies (such as information campaigns to raise awareness on the impact of RWC on air quality, as well as accelerating the ratio of appliance renewal and improving the available technologies towards lower emission levels and higher thermal yield), will be needed to further reduce emissions and to better integrate air quality policies and the strategies for mitigation of climate change.