Reducing exposure to residential wood smoke in Australia: health equity, environmental justice, and implementation challenges and opportunities

BACKGROUND AND AIM[|]Wood heater smoke, a major modifiable source of air pollution in Australian cities and towns, reduces community health and wellbeing. In addition to impacts on local air quality, their carbon dioxide, methane and black carbon emissions contribute to climate change. When operated in the home environment, even modern wood heater emissions are much higher than manufacturers’ claims, implying that current Australian wood heater standards are insufficient to protect public health. The affordability and suitability of wood heaters, compared to cleaner domestic heating options, such as reverse cycle air conditioning, is questionable in residential areas.[¤]METHOD[|]The effect of particulate air pollution (PM2.5) from wood heaters on mortality in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) was estimated using health impact assessment methods. We also analysed the policy context and options for reducing wood heater smoke exposure, and their effectiveness, distributional effects, health co-benefits, potential trade-offs, implementation challenges and opportunities.[¤]RESULTS[|]The annual impact of wood heater pollution on mortality in the ACT was estimated to be 11-63 attributable deaths, equivalent to 57–333 million (AUD) each year. The ACT was the first regional government in Australia to announce in 2023 that it will phase out wood heaters (by 2045). However, government programs to reduce the number of wood heaters, e.g. offering rebates for decommissioning, have not been effective due to social, behavioural and financial reasons, and industry opposition.[¤]CONCLUSIONS[|]Current interventions aiming to reduce the numbers of wood heaters in the ACT and other Australian regions have proved largely ineffective, raising questions about their design, implementation, health equity and environmental justice implications. More comprehensive policies involving registration of existing wood heaters, awareness raising of their health and environmental impacts, stronger financial incentives for decommissioning, and mandatory removal of units before a property is sold, may help reduce the health burden of wood heater pollution in Australia.[¤]