An environmental group, Doctors for the Environment, has come out strongly against the use of wood and pellet burners for heating. They say the emissions contribute to global warming.
They’re against the fact that wood burners are eligible for financial aid – saying their image of sustainability is fake.
But experts say the opinion lacks nuance.
Roger Rothlisberger who works at the Energy Institute at the School of Engineering and Management in Vaud says wood could be polluting if misused, but many modern burners have filter particles and wood remains a sustainable fuel source.
The government is currently examining a proposal to finance replacement of old wood burners with modern, cleaner, equipment.
Roger Nordmann, who sits on the Energy Commission, told the Tribune de Genève that he believes wood is part of the solution – not the problem.