The UK government is consulting on new measures that could ban older wood-burning stoves and tighten rules on solid fuel heating, aiming to reduce indoor air pollution. Labour's Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP), announced in December, includes proposals to restrict the sale of wood burners that do not meet updated standards, while existing burners would not be banned retroactively. Smoke Control Areas, which limit the types of solid fuel that can be burned in log burners and fireplaces in certain parts of England, may also face stricter regulations.
PM2.5 Emissions Target Tightened
The government has set a target to cut emissions of PM2.5—a fine particulate pollutant linked to asthma, lung disease, and heart conditions—by 30% by 2030, compared to 2018 levels. According to official figures, domestic combustion accounted for a fifth of PM2.5 emissions in 2023. The EIP states that burning solid fuels is a major contributor to PM2.5 pollution, especially in urban areas, and cites the World Health Organisation's finding that air pollution causes 6.7 million premature deaths annually.
Consultation Aims to Balance Health and Traditions
Ministers say the consultation will aim to minimise the impact on those who rely on burning wood and will respect traditional festivals such as Bonfire Night and Diwali. The EIP will bring the UK's PM2.5 standards in line with EU limits, a change from the previous Conservative government's 2023 plan.
Campaigner Welcomes Progress
Rosamund Kissi-Debrah, whose nine-year-old daughter Ella died from an asthma attack linked to air pollution in 2013, welcomed the new target as a "win." She has been campaigning for "Ella's Law," which would require the government to achieve clean air across England by 2030. "It's not quite Ella's Law yet, but it's a step in the right direction," she told the Press Association. "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."
Industry Response
Calvin May, head of technical services at HETAS, which represents the solid fuel industry, said: "Wood burners, multifuel stoves, and pellet stoves that meet Cleaner Choice standards already meet potential EIP targets, demonstrating that industry is well-prepared for this change and committed to improving our air quality." He added: "We urge policymakers to focus on practical, enforceable solutions that are aligned with industry professionals. This will accelerate the transition to less polluting technologies while supporting stove owners to make informed choices about how they burn, what they burn, and when they burn. Cleaner air is achievable, and the solid fuel industry has long been committed to playing its part."
