Environmental effects from the use of traditional biomass for heating in rural areas: a case study of Anogeia, Crete

Abstract

In several European rural communities, woody biomass is considered amongst the most important energy sources for heating and cooking. However, the use of old-fashioned replaces may affect indoor and outdoor air quality. To depict this situation and to plan the necessary improvement interventions, a pilot action was implemented in a typical mountainous Mediterranean area (town of Anogeia, Crete). The action involved: (i) identi cation of the quantities, use and source of the woody biomass used in the community based on the analysis of data collected through a systematic survey; (ii) on-site indoor and outdoor measurements of air quality (CO 2 , CO, NO X , PM), during wintertime and summertime. Based on the current survey, around 70% of the study area households in Anogeia using woody biomass for heating purposes in low energy e ciency systems resulted in high annual consumption of rewood.Fifty-three per cent of occupants didn't consider indoor air quality as a result of wood burning. The analysis of the air quality showed very high concentrations of indoor air pollutants in the majority of old buildings with seniors using traditional heating systems. The type of main/supplementary heating system used in a dwelling depends on factors such as the size of the dwelling, year of construction, education level and age of occupants. The results also demonstrate a strong correlation/liaison between the heating season (summertime/wintertime), and the (signi cant increase in the) concentrations of air pollutants in the sampling sites.

Sustainable energy transition and circular economy: The heterogeneity of potential investors in rural community renewable energy projects

“…Among the non-financial motives driving the WTI or WTP in CRE, previous literature has paid attention to environmental concerns (Bauwens, 2016;Bauwens & Eyre, 2017;Boon & Dieperink, 2014;Braito et al, 2017;Dóci & Vasileiadou, 2015;Kalkbrenner & Roosen, 2016), attitudes toward RE (Bauwens & Devine-Wright, 2018;Broughel & Hampl, 2018), and, to a lower extent, concern for energy-related issues (Bauwens, 2016;Fleiß et al, 2017;Koirala et al, 2018). As long as RE involve positive and negative economic, social, and environmental impacts (D'Souza & Yiridoe, 2014;Fergen & Jacquet, 2016;Savvakis et al, 2022;Süsser & Kannen, 2017), favorable attitudes toward RE (Bauwens & Devine-Wright, 2018;Broughel & Hampl, 2018) and environmental awareness (Bauwens & Eyre, 2017;Boon & Dieperink, 2014;Kalkbrenner & Roosen, 2016) can positively influence WTI in CRE.…”