A systematic survey of household heating with biomass pellet stoves in rural Northern China

China's strategies to reduce household air pollution and carbon emissions from heating include promoting biomass pellets for rural households. However, growth in biomass pellet heating in rural Northern China is slow. This study combined a systematic survey and literature review to analyze household heating with biomass pellets in rural Northern China. The limited market expansion of biomass pellet heating is due to a weak supply chain affecting the collection and utilization of biomass feedstock, fuel quality, and availability, as well as demand and supply issues. Household heating with biomass pellet stoves relies heavily on subsidies. Environmental benefits are uncertain due to unclear energy policy targets and a lack of strict national fuel quality and emissions standards and certification. Additionally, little is known about the field performance of biomass pellet stoves and the socioeconomic barriers to their widespread adoption. A two-path strategy is suggested for sustainable household heating in rural Northern China. The first path involves building a robust supply chain to enhance biomass pellet fuel and stove production. Existing energy policies should be reviewed to remove ambiguities, provide adequate fiscal support, and build sector capacity. Raising public awareness through demonstrations and conducting in-depth impact assessments of pellet-heating projects is crucial. Further research on cultural barriers to biomass pellet heating is needed. The second path suggests the short-term use of improved coal fuels and traditional biomass and stoves for affordability, with a long-term shift to subsidized electric heating systems, focusing on expanding to reduce initial costs. This balances environmental benefits with economic sustainability. Biomass pellets can be reallocated to industrial use, as industries require large fuel quantities, have higher purchasing power, and sophisticated emission capture technologies. This study provides insights for sustainable household heating policymaking in rural Northern China and assesses China's contribution to advancing the United Nations' sustainable development goals.