Australia had chosen to address wood smoke pollution directly. The country is in the process of adopting Ultra-low Emission Burners (ULEBs), a new technology pioneered in New Zealand. These novel heaters have the potential to greatly lower particulate emissions. In Australia, acceptance is thwarted by industry fears, regulatory challenges and near-zero public awareness.
New Zealand has created ULEBs after being forced to do so by tough emissions standards adopted more than 10 years ago. These heaters recreate the appeal and aesthetic of classic wood burners while providing a comparable cost. This powerful combo makes them an attractive option for many consumers. ULEBs use very efficient combustion technologies to burn a greater percentage of each unit of fuel they consume into heat, resulting in significantly lower emissions. According to testing conducted by the University of Tasmania, ULEBs emit just 10 percent of the particulate matter of conventional wood heaters. This result is particularly encouraging given their improved cost-effectiveness in achieving current Australian standards.
Despite these promising features the implementation of ULEBs in Australia has a long way to go.
The Impact of Ultra-low Emission Burners
The addition of ULEBs has been making big improvements on air quality in Christchurch, New Zealand. After the introduction of tighter emission standards, the local government began its own phase-out program for old-style wood heaters. This proactive approach has resulted in tangible benefits to residents. It illustrates how similar measures could do the heavy lifting in Australia.
Dr. John Todd, a wood-heater expert involved in testing ULEBs, noted that these heaters demonstrate much lower emissions when designed specifically for Australian hardwoods. One, the way heaters are being tested today doesn’t match reality,” he said, warning that present-day testing methods aren’t able to provide an accurate assessment. He noted that current standards are based on ideal conditions – which just don’t happen in practice.
This increased efficiency and lower emissions are a major step forward in heating technology. The real task now lies with Australian policymakers and manufacturers to adopt these innovations so they become the default for all.
Regulatory Challenges and Industry Concerns
Tim Cannon, chair of a Standards Australia pollution committee, summed up the challenges of updating pollution standards in Australia. He stated that it could take up to ten years for new regulations to mandate low-emission heaters across the country. As he highlighted, “You can’t just change things overnight,” pointing to the rigorous process of deliberation and planning that is required.
Cannon also acknowledged the concern from industry stakeholders that more stringent standards could put them out of business. Another argument from some of these folks is that they’re leveraging [tighter standards] to destroy our industry,” he said. Despite these concerns, McCarthy admitted there was a need for innovation and collaboration in the industry and the role his agency can play to improve air quality.
There are several challenges to adopting ULEBs in Australia. Long regulatory timelines and pushback from segments of the wood heating industry intent on maintaining status quo complicate the path forward. Cannon’s best guess was that research would require five years. Without a further five-year transition period, the ULEBs wouldn’t even be able to be required in certain jurisdictions. “So, at most, it might be 10 years out,” he finished.
A Call for Action and Public Awareness
Experts like Professor Fay Johnston from the University of Tasmania’s Centre for Safe Air urge Australia to follow New Zealand’s lead in adopting ULEBs. Keeping up with this new technology, she says, is absolutely necessary. As she puts it, “There’s really no reason not to adopt it and drive the same innovation while delivering far less-polluting heaters for Australians.”
Phasing out wood heaters in urban and other high-density areas Johnston is on board. The intent of this approach is to reduce pollution levels in the most effective way possible. Climate plays a big role “Look—we live in a very fire-prone country. We really have to do some fuel load management,” she said firmly.
Fears over health impacts from wood smoke don’t seem to be going away either. Kate Miranda emphasized that “there is no safe level of exposure [to wood smoke] and even small amounts can cause health effects and trigger asthma symptoms.” This perspective further underscores the urgency of taking action to address wood smoke pollution and put effective solutions in place.