While much of the public and political attention has been on coal power generation and its impacts on climate and health, the health threats from burning fossil gas have not been part of the discussion on future-proof energy production and deserve greater attention.
The health organisations Klimawandel Gesundheit (KLUG), Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Public Health (DGPH) and ClientEarth have sent a letter to members of the ITRE committee, pointing out the health and climate impacts of burning biomass, ahead of a vote in the committee on the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) and whether wood burning should continue to be classified as “renewable” and therefore subsidised.
The letter calls on MEPs in the committee to no longer classify wood as a renewable energy source in the new RED III and to stop subsidies for wood as an energy source.
Wood burning in power plants, heaters and fireplaces pollutes air, contributes to the climate crisis, and is therefore harmful to health in several ways.
Full letter here
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