Importance of activity data for improving the residential wood combustion emission inventory at regional level

The contribution of residential wood combustion (RWC) to emission inventory at local level was estimated using a bottom–up approach for the Lombardy Region of North Italy. A survey, based on the CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing) method, has been undertaken through 18,000 interviews. The interviews had the objective to characterize the RWC use in this region, in term of both total and municipal wood consumption. Details on the type of appliances used in RWC were also gathered.The results of the survey were then statistically analyzed in order to allow an estimate of RWC with high spatial resolution (i.e., at municipal level) in relation to the size and altitude of the territory.The work provides new evidence of the importance of wood combustion as a key source for PM and NMVOC emissions at local level, and thus highlights the importance of technological improvements and new policies aimed at emission reduction in this sector.Considering the great differences in average PM emission factors between low efficiency appliances (fireplaces, old stoves) and high efficiency ones (new stoves, pellet burners), this work emphasizes the importance of obtaining more detailed information on the types of wood appliances used for arriving at a reliable PM emission inventory for RWC.

► CATI method allows a detailed assessment of domestic wood use at the local level.
► Old appliances (open fireplace, traditional stove) are still widespread and used.
► Details on the type of appliances used are very important for PM emission assessment.
► Large variability of PM emission factors limits the reliability of local inventory.
► A great potential of PM emission reduction through appliance renewal is identified.