A recent interview on UNE’s TuneFM featured Dr Sharon Campbell highlighting a national effort to reduce harmful wood heater emissions and improve air quality in Australian communities. This is a key focus of the Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub’s research under Impact Priority 4 (IP4): Air Quality and its Wood Heater Emissions project.
Wood heaters remain a major source of fine particulate pollution (PM2.5), especially in colder regions where they are commonly used for heating. These emissions contribute to poor air quality and can have serious impacts on public health, particularly for vulnerable groups.
The Hub’s project, led by Professor Fay Johnston (University of Tasmania), brings together researchers from CSIRO, Curtin University and UTAS. Together, they are working to:
- Develop and trial standardised testing protocols for wood heater emissions
- Evaluate policy options, including incentives and regulations
- Support local councils in implementing effective community interventions
- Produce case studies and policy recommendations for national use
This work is helping to lay the foundation for smarter air quality policy and technological innovation, ensuring cleaner air for future generations.
