Controlling air pollution in a context of high energy poverty levels in southern Chile: clean air but colder houses?

A. D. GONZALEZ; REYES R., SCHUEFTAN A., RUIZ C.

ENERGY POLICY

ELSEVIER SCI LTD

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2018 vol. 124 p. 301 - 311

0301-4215

Firewood is the main fuel used for heating in Chile, but itsinefficient use is producing severe episodes of air pollution. To addressthis issue, authorities implement Air Pollution Management Plans (PDAs),which include actions such as setting moisture requirements for firewood,replacing old wood-stoves, temporarily banning the use of firewood, andimproving homes ́ thermal insulation. However, PDAs do not focus on nor dothey prioritize measures in relation to specific social contexts. Thisstudy assessed socio-economic variables, energy consumption and indoorenvironments in households located in the city of Valdivia, throughsurveys and the monitoring of temperatures and indoor air pollutionlevels. We found that, during the winter months, 68% of the time livingroom temperatures were below 21oC, and PM2.5 concentrations were aboveinternational standards. Furthermore, over 61% of households were tosuffer a state of energy poverty. We urge decision-makers to considersocial inequalities and energy consumption patterns in cities with highfirewood consumption, prioritizing measures and focusing resources onreducing both air pollution and energy poverty. Thermal insulation ofhomes should be a priority in mid-to-low-income families, since thesehave the highest levels of energy demand. Other PDA ́s measures could beeconomically regressive in these social-strata.