Chile Policy for Use of Wood and Derivatives for Heating

In 2015, the Ministry of Energy launched their milestone Policy for Use of Wood and Derivatives for Heating to limit air pollution from burning firewood, diversify energy sources and promote independence from energy imports. The policy aims to transform the firewood market into a formal one that contemplates the sustainable production of firewood for energy and its efficient use.

 The policy is divided into six strategic areas and an action plan that covers:

• more efficient buildings;
• ii) sustainable and good-quality wood;
• iii) other energy uses for wood derivatives for heating;
• iv) more efficient technologies for heating;
• v) institutional framework and
• vi) education.

This policy is consistent with the Local Atmospheric Decontamination Plans, which aims to replace 121 000 inefficient firewood stoves with efficient stoves using wood pellets or certified firewood over ten years from 2015. 

By 2017, around 20 000 inefficient firewood stoves had been replaced by local governments and the Ministry of Environment under the Local Atmospheric Decontamination Plans.