When a material is carbon neutral, it means that it doesn’t emit more carbon dioxide when burnt than it would have if it had been broken down naturally.
Carbon dioxide also known as CO2 is a green house gas which comes from the incineration of material that contains carbon like fossil fuels and other organic material. Today, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is approximately 33 % higher than it was 200 years ago. This speeds up the climate change process. The more carbon dioxide in the air, the less solar heat will be sent back into space, and the climate on Earth will get warmer. This is the so-called green house effect.
Many producers and companies take this development into account and make an effort to become carbon neutral. To be carbon neutral is the idea of having a process where no more carbon dioxide is emitted than what was absorbed during production, distribution and storage.
When you use your wood burning stove, carbon dioxide is emitted because of the incineration of organic material – firewood. There are many ways to ensure that you fire in an appropriate way. Lighting a fire correctly, correct air supply and dry firewood are important parts of an eco-friendly process.
New wood burning stoves have been adapted to the newest environmental regulations and take the environment into account. You should look for eco-labels when you buy a new wood burning stove or want to replace the old one.