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Proposals to enhance thermal efficiency programs and air pollution control in south-central Chile

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  • Schueftan, Alejandra
  • González, Alejandro D.

Abstract

Major cities in South-central Chile suffer high levels of particulate matter PM10 and PM2.5 due to combustion of solid fuels for heating. Exposure to these air pollutants is recognized as a major contribution to ill health in the region. Here we discuss new strategies to reduce air pollution. Regulations and subsidies focusing on improved combustion by providing drier wood fuel and better stoves have been in effect since 2007. However, air pollution due to combustion of wood fuel has been steadily rising, along with reports on health consequences. The paper analyzes a survey of 2025 households in the city of Valdivia, which found that wood fuel quality, stove renewal, and awareness of programs are strongly affected by income level, and that higher consumption of wood fuel is found in households already having better stoves and drier wood fuel. The analysis suggests that regulations intended to improve combustion are influenced by user's behavior and have limited potential for lowering pollution. We conclude that thermal refurbishment has a larger potential for improvement, not yet been implemented as an energy policy for the majority. Here we propose improvements and additions to current programs to enhance effectiveness and cover the whole social spectrum.

Suggested Citation

  • Schueftan, Alejandra & González, Alejandro D., 2015. "Proposals to enhance thermal efficiency programs and air pollution control in south-central Chile," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 48-57.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:79:y:2015:i:c:p:48-57
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2015.01.008
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Schueftan, Alejandra & González, Alejandro D., 2013. "Reduction of firewood consumption by households in south-central Chile associated with energy efficiency programs," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 823-832.
    2. Mundaca T., Luis, 2013. "Climate change and energy policy in Chile: Up in smoke?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 235-248.
    3. Howden-Chapman, Philippa & Viggers, Helen & Chapman, Ralph & O’Sullivan, Kimberley & Telfar Barnard, Lucy & Lloyd, Bob, 2012. "Tackling cold housing and fuel poverty in New Zealand: A review of policies, research, and health impacts," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 134-142.
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    1. Cristian Concha & Nathaly M. Rivera, 2024. "Wood-Burning Restrictions and Indoor Air Pollution: The Case of Air Quality Warnings in Southern Chile," Working Papers wp557, University of Chile, Department of Economics.
    2. Mardones, Cristian, 2021. "Ex-post evaluation and cost-benefit analysis of a heater replacement program implemented in southern Chile," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    3. Evangelina Dardati & Ramiro de Elejalde & Eugenio Giolito, 2024. "On the short‐term impact of pollution: The effect of PM 2.5 on emergency room visits," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(3), pages 482-508, March.
    4. Verástegui, Felipe & Lorca, Álvaro & Negrete-Pincetic, Matias & Olivares, Daniel, 2020. "Firewood heat electrification impacts in the Chilean power system," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    5. Carrasco-Garcés, Moisés & Vásquez-Lavín, Felipe & Ponce Oliva, Roberto D. & Diaz Pincheira, Francisco & Barrientos, Manuel, 2021. "Estimating the implicit discount rate for new technology adoption of wood-burning stoves," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    6. Schueftan, Alejandra & Aravena, Claudia & Reyes, René, 2021. "Financing energy efficiency retrofits in Chilean households: The role of financial instruments, savings and uncertainty in energy transition," Resource and Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    7. Boso, Àlex & Oltra, Christian & Hofflinger, Álvaro, 2019. "Participation in a programme for assisted replacement of wood-burning stoves in Chile: The role of sociodemographic factors, evaluation of air quality and risk perception," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 1220-1226.
    8. Reyes, René & Schueftan, Alejandra & Ruiz, Cecilia & González, Alejandro D., 2019. "Controlling air pollution in a context of high energy poverty levels in southern Chile: Clean air but colder houses?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 301-311.
    9. Yao, Wanxiang & Zheng, Zhimiao & Zhao, Jun & Wang, Xiao & Wang, Yan & Li, Xianli & Fu, Jidong, 2020. "The factor analysis of fog and haze under the coupling of multiple factors -- taking four Chinese cities as an example," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    10. Àlex Boso & Jaime Garrido & Luz Karime Sánchez-Galvis & Ignacio Rodríguez & Arturo Vallejos-Romero, 2024. "Exploring role-playing as a tool for involving citizens in air pollution mitigation urban policies," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-11, December.
    11. J. Cristobal Ruiz-Tagle & Alejandra Schueftan, 2021. "Nudging for Cleaner Air: Experimental Evidence from an RCT on Wood Stove Usage," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 79(4), pages 713-743, August.
    12. Martinez-Soto, Aner & Avendaño Vera, Constanza C. & Boso, Alex & Hofflinger, Alvaro & Shupler, Matthew, 2021. "Energy poverty influences urban outdoor air pollution levels during COVID-19 lockdown in south-central Chile," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    13. Vásquez Lavin, Felipe & Barrientos, Manuel & Castillo, Álvaro & Herrera, Iván & Ponce Oliva, Roberto D., 2020. "Firewood certification programs: Key attributes and policy implications," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).

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