This is the conclusion of the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) - concerned that wood-burning stoves and fireplaces release too much particulate matter during operation. According to a draft law of the Federal Cabinet, heating with wood could be permitted only on a restricted basis in the future.
The Federal Environment Agency (UBA) warns against the massive fine dust pollution caused by wood-burning stoves. According to UBA President Dirk Messner, the environmental pollution caused by wood fuels is serious. "Wood-fired heating systems now account for more than 20 per cent of total particulate matter emissions. That is roughly the same order of magnitude as emissions from road traffic," says Messner. Single-room furnaces such as fireplaces and stoves are a particularly significant source of particulate matter.
This is precisely why the German Environmental Agency is calling for the subsidisation of wood-fired heating systems to be stopped and for higher standards for wood-burning systems to be introduced in their place. A proposal that is already finding a place on the German government's agenda. According to a draft law passed by the federal cabinet, heating with biomass, such as wood, is to remain an option only to a limited extent. For example, in existing buildings "where alternative solutions are not feasible or sensible", this could continue to provide heat.
Demand for wood products has risen sharply recently. After all, the energy crisis is causing prices to rise exponentially, prompting many people in Germany, too, to return to wood-burning stoves and fireplaces. However, the possible reform could now hit the wood sector hard. "By discriminating against renewable wood energy, the federal government is endangering sustainable forest management in Germany" - comment forest owners' associations. But wood energy is green only if the companies concerned act environmentally consciously and quickly enough to minimise its impact on the ecosystem - and replace felled trees with new ones through reforestation projects.
Regardless of this, the fears of the Federal Environment Agency remain justified, as the fine dust released during wood combustion is still considered harmful to the environment and health. Pellet heating, on the other hand, which has the lowest emission of particulate matter among the wood fuels, could play a greater role at the suggestion of the Federal Environment Agency and support the economic interests of forest owners as wood sales decline.
As in the transport sector, the heating and energy sector needs to take stock of its emissions and consider what the next step should be to reduce them and bring them in line with environmental goals. Against this backdrop, further political measures must also be taken to reduce emissions from wood combustion already now where possible - and at the same time to protect areas that suffer particularly from fine dust pollution from it. Fine dust emissions from road traffic are regulated and reduced by environmental zones. Now a concept must also be adapted for wood combustion that helps to keep fine dust pollution under control - as well as gradually create the conditions for the future departure from wood, gas and oil heating in Germany.