THE ACT government has endorsed phasing out wood heaters by 2045.

In its response to the Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment’s investigation into wood-heater policy, Environment Minister Rebecca Vassarotti said there was no safe level of exposure to particulate matter in air pollution,.

“I appreciate many Canberrans grew up with woodfired heaters and they offer nostalgic charm and comfort. However, we need to confront the reality that the smoke they emit is a direct source of pollution in our homes, a clear and present danger to the well-being of our community in urban and suburban areas, and a looming threat to our natural environment.

“The government will now begin work on a plan for phasing-out wood heaters in all suburbs (excluding rural areas) in line with our ‘pathway to electrification’, to transition away from fossil fuel gas by 2045.”

Commissioner Sophie Lewis said her investigation had shown there is no safe level of air pollution for human health and that wood heaters had no place in Canberra’s all-electric, 100% renewable energy future.

Of the eight recommendations presented in the commissioner’s report, the government has agreed or agreed in principle with four, and noted two.

The government did not agree to two recommendations in the basis that the costs to implement them would outweigh the proposed benefits.