Firewood production is often considered to be CO2–neutral, if the carbon dioxide emitted by burning the wood is
absorbed by replacement trees. However, burning firewood in the domestic heaters that are currently available in
Australia produces methane and black carbon particles that increase global warming. The aim of this study was to
estimate the amount of global warming from wood heating in Australia and evaluate ways in which this might be
reduced. Methane from the average wood heater in Brisbane, Perth or Sydney is estimated to cause at least as
much global warming as gas central heating an entire house with floor area of 160 m2. In the colder climates of
Canberra and Melbourne, a wood heater in the living area plus supplementary heating in other rooms is also
estimated to cause more global warming than gas, or reverse cycle air–conditioning