Sounds like a great opportunity for Kiwi woodburner manufacturers to export to UK. However they (and NZ High Commision) need to be pro-active and lobby for clean burning stoves to be permitted.
There is national clean air legislation, in NZ. Exemptions for rural sizes larger properties cooking fire and mixed fuel (coal) fires. Local regulations can impose tougher standards than the national legislation. Some do, even to the extent of requiring home owners to remove legacy fires like open fires and older log-burners.
A mate in ChCh has just bought an Ultra Low Emmision log-burner, which is a two chamber fire. The wood burns in the upper chamber and the lower chamber seems to burn combustible gases and small particulate matter.
Using modern low emission wood burners is a good idea. They are/ can be sustainable by using renewable fuel, however there is a caveat to that, New Zealand has to have an active and legally required reforestation regime to ensure that the use of wood burners is carbon neutral and sustainable. As for the use of coal, no that should be phased out fast.
New Zealand has to have an active and legally required reforestation regime to ensure that the use of wood burners is carbon neutral and sustainable.
Most firewood is exotic species - e.g. pine, poplar, willow, gum. An argument can be made that removing exotic trees is sustainable.
Firewood plantations are a great use for marginal land. If you plant particular species (e.g. gum and oak) you can coppice them, so replanting isn't required. Oaks grow surprisingly fast in NZ. Ours (Rotorua) were big enoguh to cut at about 10 years.
the air is terrible in winter, due to people burning wood, coal and all sorts of rubbish.
used to know a family that chuck all their rubbish into the burner!
Where I live (Ak suburbs) , winter evening air is so bad that just opening a window or two will stink the whole house out Still lots of old style fireplaces and old style wood burners being used .
My neighbor used to burn his rubbish, incl plastic in an open fire at the back of his section.
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