In Copenhagen, a new proposal could lead to up to 3,200 wood-burning stoves being replaced or completely removed from homes in the capital. The proposal, put forward by two of the city’s mayors, aims to ban the use of older wood-burning stoves produced before 2008 to combat air pollution and improve the city’s air quality. Technical and Environmental Mayor Line Barfod from the Unity List (Enhedslisten) and Health and Care Mayor Sisse Marie Welling from the Socialist People’s Party (SF) have spearheaded this initiative.
“Many studies show that air pollution has a significant negative impact on people,” said Line Barfod in a press release, emphasizing the importance of addressing the issue. Sisse Marie Welling added that efforts against polluting wood-burning stoves have been a political priority for a long time, and she is pleased that concrete steps can now be taken.
“Far too many Copenhageners become ill and die prematurely due to harmful air. We simply cannot accept that one risks getting sick from breathing in our city,” she said. The proposal must first gain a majority vote at Copenhagen City Hall, after which it will be put out for consultation for eight weeks. Subsequently, politicians will discuss the submitted comments before it can potentially come into effect by the end of 2025.
According to a new announcement from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency (Miljøstyrelsen), older wood-burning stoves can be required to be removed if the home is located in an area with collective heat supply. Since 99 percent of Copenhagen Municipality is covered by the district heating network, this new requirement will also apply in allotment garden areas and other relevant parts of the municipality.