Regulations governing wood burners may be strengthened to reduce their smoke output as part of the Government’s refreshed environmental strategy. The Government announced it will hold consultations on steps to cut the environmental impact of public wood burning, including stoves and bonfires, when it revealed the updated environmental improvement plan (EIP) on Monday.
The proposals could require manufacturers of “solid fuel” stoves to discontinue or modify older models to comply with fresh standards. This would not include a prohibition on using older stoves already purchased by consumers.
Pollution thresholds may also be strengthened in smoke control zones across the nation, where restrictions exist on which fuels can be burnt domestically in fireplaces or stoves. Ministers indicated the consultation will aim to reduce the impact these alterations have on those requiring wood burning and to honour traditional celebratory events such as Bonfire Night and Diwali.
This forms part of the suggested measures to address air pollution in the revised EIP, which has superseded the previous government’s plan with a range of fresh environmental objectives. The Government has strengthened the target to reduce concentrations of PM2.5 – fine particulate pollution associated with asthma, lung disease and heart conditions – by 30% by 2030 compared to 2018 figures. Official figures reveal that a fifth of PM2.5 emissions in 2023 were due to domestic combustion. The EIP is expected to align the UK’s PM2.5 standards with those of the EU, a move not seen under the previous EIP issued by the Conservatives in 2023.
Rosamund Kissi-Debrah, whose nine-year-old daughter tragically died from an asthma attack linked to air pollution in 2013, hailed the new PM2.5 target as a “win”. Ms Kissi-Debrah has been advocating for “Ella’s Law”, which would mandate the Government to achieve clean air across England by January 1, 2030, outlining a route to bring the country in line with World Health Organisation air pollution guidelines.
Speaking to the Press Association, she said: “It’s not quite Ella’s Law yet, but it’s a step in the right direction,” and added, “So because of that, I’m pleased.
“Anything that’s going to improve the air, and that means less children are going to be hospitalised and less children are going to die, I am always going to be for it. Obviously, it’s not everything which I want, and (Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds) knows that, but I would take this win.”
Andrew McCracken, director of external affairs at Asthma + Lung UK, said: “Bringing forward the air quality targets to 2030 is a welcome step towards cleaner, healthier air that brings England in line with the goals Scotland and EU countries are working towards. Air pollution is linked to 43,000 premature deaths every year in the UK.
“Particulates known as ‘PM2.5’ are invisible to the naked eye and small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs, reaching the bloodstream and causing illness such as asthma, lung cancer, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD). The quicker the government takes steps to reduce the amount of PM2.5 we breathe, the quicker it can reduce the number of people facing a life with these lung conditions.
“Ministers must now move from promise to action. The public consultation on wood-burning promised in the summer needs to begin without delay. Despite being used by only a relatively small number of households, domestic wood burners produce nearly as much PM2.5 pollution as all road transport. It is the only source of fine particulate pollution that has grown since 2003.
“The more ambitious targets announced today are a clear recognition of the need to clean up our polluted air. We hope that ministers will soon go further and commit to stronger, evidence-based targets in line with long-term World Health Organization targets, and outline the concrete measures needed to deliver them. Only then can every child in the UK grow up free from the suffocating grip of air pollution.”
Further proposals
Additionally, the EIP outlines fresh targets for addressing dangerous chemicals, curbing invasive species and rehabilitating ecosystems. Ministers will strive to restore or establish habitats spanning 250,000 hectares by 2030 – an expanse exceeding Greater London, revising the previous target of 140,000 hectares by January 2028.
They also pledge to unveil a strategy next year for addressing PFAs, which have been associated with various health issues and are dubbed forever chemicals due to their persistence in the environment for centuries. Meanwhile, the objective to diminish invasive species has been revised to 50% by 2030 compared to 2000 levels, through preventing new invaders from establishing themselves and controlling existing ones, including American Signal Crayfish and Japanese Knotweed.
For the first time, the Government will also seek views on boosting farmers’ adoption of methane-reducing cow feed supplements to slash planet-warming emissions. Regarding access to green spaces, ministers announced proposals to reinforce the public’s statutory entitlement.
Guy Shrubsole, from the Right to Roam campaign, said he welcomed the announcement, but added that officials had already been working on it for six months: “Why not just legislate for this in the next King’s Speech? All Labour governments since the war have passed laws to extend public access to nature – does this Labour government want to be the first that fails to do so?”
The Environment Department (Defra) announced the Government will collaborate with individuals, communities, farmers, businesses and local authorities to deliver the EIP. Officials confirmed £500 million of existing departmental funding will be directed towards accelerating landscape recovery projects, which involve ministers partnering with farmers and landowners on larger-scale initiatives to restore wildlife over at least a 20-year period. Additionally, £85 million will be invested in improving and restoring peatlands, alongside £3 million to enhance access to nature in public forests, including the introduction of accessible bike trails and all-terrain mobility equipment.
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said: “Our environment faces real challenges, with pollution in our waterways, air quality that’s too low in many areas, and treasured species in decline. This plan marks a step change in restoring nature. Our ambitious targets are backed by real action to cut harmful air pollutants, revive habitats and protect the environment for generations to come.”
The strategy represents a legal obligation under the Environment Act, designed to fulfil a wider pledge to dramatically enhance the environment for future generations. For the first time, ministers will also release delivery plans for Environment Act targets, outlining which organisations will undertake actions contributing to the overall objectives and how progress will be monitored.
