While logs or wood pellets are a renewable and carbon-neutral source of energy that should be encouraged, their combustion in poor conditions can also constitute a significant part of fine particle pollution. Thus, in 2018, domestic wood heating was responsible for 43% of national PM 2,5 emissions, as well as more than half of very fine PM 1,0 emissions. However, the finer the particles, the more they penetrate deeply into the body.
In 2013, the International Agency for Research on Cancer declared fine particles to be carcinogenic to humans. Thus, fine particles are responsible for around 40.000 deaths per year in France according to Public Health France, of which 17.000 could be avoided by respecting the limit values recommended by the World Health Organization.
The main factors that influence the combustion quality of wood heating, and therefore the emissions of fine particles, are:
- the performance of the device: use a recent device, correctly sized and well maintained;
- the use of good quality fuel with low humidity;
- operating practices: it is preferable to use a top-firing method, to avoid a slow running rate and to ensure that the air supply is sufficient.
On April 13, 2021, the deputies voted in the Climate and Resilience law the objective of a 50% reduction in fine particle emissions between 2020 and 2030 in the most polluted territories, namely those covered by a protection plan of the atmosphere. The “efficient domestic wood heating” action plan will make it possible to meet this objective by accelerating the renewal of old stoves and old fireplaces for the benefit of efficient equipment, by developing the use of quality fuels and by recalling the good ones. device use practices.
Thus, the action plan is based on the following 6 axes:
- raise public awareness of the impact on air quality of wood heating with inefficient appliances or poor quality fuel. As such, the obsolescence of a wood-burning appliance will be indicated in the new energy performance diagnosis and the sweeping, made compulsory once a year, will be an opportunity to recall the subsidies available to replace an inefficient appliance and highly emitter of fine particles;
- strengthen and simplify support mechanisms to speed up the renewal of wood-burning appliances. 600.000 devices will be replaced by 2025 thanks to aid for the energy renovation of housing (MaPrimeRenov ') and wood air funds made available by local authorities and ADEME;
- improve the performance of new wood-burning equipment by upgrading the green flame label beyond the “7 stars” threshold to define performance levels that are more protective of air quality;
- promote the use of quality fuel by developing a label to certify the quality of the fuel (low humidity) and its origin (from sustainably managed forests). The formal log market today represents only 20% of logs used in France. The objective is to structure the formal log market so that it represents 40% of annual uses, of which 50% is labeled fuel, by 2030;
- regulate the use of wood heating in the most polluted areas, by taking measures adapted to the territories to reduce emissions of fine particles;
- improve knowledge on the health impact of particles from wood combustion.
“One in four French people uses wood heating, which is a carbon neutral heating method. For half of them, it is the main means of heating. I am delighted with this observation, while remaining vigilant on the performance of domestic wood heating, which is the leading emitter of fine particles in France. Because poor quality combustion can emit up to 10 times more fine particles, which are particularly dangerous for health. The action plan we are proposing aims to work for the climate cause by promoting more efficient wood heating while improving air quality, without opposing them. " Barbara pompili
“As President of the National Air Council (CNA), I welcome the Government's commitment to reduce fine particle emissions from inefficient wood heating. It is a public health issue that preoccupies the members of the CNA and on which we are working in close collaboration with the Air Quality Office of the Ministry of Ecological Transition. This action plan, which is an extension of what has already been launched two years ago to move towards cleaner mobility, will help to regain the quality of the air in our most polluted territories. " Jean-Luc Fugit