As firewood is increasingly used as an alternative to cooking gas amid an ongoing shortage of LPG, experts point out that the increased consumption of firewood could contribute to higher levels of carbon emissions and pollution, raising environmental concerns.
With increasing demand from restaurants and households, firewood suppliers also reported supply constraints and shortages.
A. Bijukumar, Vice-Chancellor of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, said that while carbon emissions are undeniable, it is also important to compare them with the carbon footprint of transporting LPG to the region.
“We may have to do a quantitative assessment, but there is pollution involved. Another major aspect is deforestation, which is happening because of the increase in demand for firewood. As the demand for firewood increases in regions where it has not been used, it can contribute to deforestation. This needs to be carefully considered,” he said.
According to experts, although quantified and comparative information regarding emissions is not available under the current scenario, biomass burning leads to carbon emissions. “The carbon released when wood is burned enters the atmosphere at a faster rate than when the wood decomposes, which is a gradual process,” noted Sreejith Ashtamoorthy, chief scientist, Kerala Forest Research Institute. When firewood is used instead of LPG, it results in higher carbon emissions, he noted. “Furthermore, as the demand for wood increases, people may be tempted to cut down and sell trees from their own premises, leading to loss of green cover,” said Mr Ashtamoorthy.
P. Kalaiarasan, Environmental Engineer, Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, said biomass burning, along with carbon and gaseous pollutants, also resulted in the release of particulate matter that could enter human bodies.
“When a particle less than 2.5 microns enters our body, it goes directly to our nervous system and continuous exposure can damage our health,” Mr Kalaiarasan said. “Furthermore, biomass burning also causes an increase in temperature unlike controlled burning in the case of LPG. Although the impacts are not assessed, compared to LPG, open burning causes more damage,” he added.
R. Harikumar, director of the Kerala Energy Management Centre, noted that when biomass was used as fuel, its fuel efficiency was low. “If a normal three-stone stove is used, the fuel efficiency is only 3%. In the case of a fuel-efficient stove, this could increase up to 25%. The carbon stored in the tree after being absorbed during its life is released as carbon when burned. So, while the net carbon dioxide may not increase, it leads to increased health effects. If not burned properly, it can lead to the release of poisonous carbon monoxide, Mr Harikumariku.”
Published – 01 Apr 2026 21:47 IST
