Today’s news / Municipalities hesitate on unpopular stove ban
Wood-burning stoves annually kill more than twice as many people as traffic. But politicians continue to hesitate to ban the popular Danish comfort spreader. (Archive photo). Photo: Niels Ahlmann Olesen/Ritzau Scanpix

Municipalities hesitate on unpopular stove ban

Danish municipalities have been granted the power by Parliament to ban pre-2008 wood stoves in areas well-served by district heating or natural gas since July 2023. These older stoves are among the least efficient and most harmful heating sources. Yet, few initiatives have been taken due to the inherent appeal of wood-burning, which is deeply rooted in Danish culture and remains the only untaxed energy form in Denmark. Wood stove pollution causes serious illnesses and premature death due to fine particles. Aarhus Municipality is leading with a proposed ban that was put up for public consultation on March 3. Mayor Jacob Bundsgaard emphasizes the responsibility of politicians to address the issue and reduce health risks associated with wood-burning stoves. Signs of interest in similar bans have been shown by other cities including Roskilde, Silkeborg, Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, and Odense.