Fwd: Wood burning consultation
Suzanne Williams
Can you smell woodsmoke on your street? Does wood burning in your area affect you or your family?
Good news - the government is consulting right now on reducing air pollution from wood burning in the UK.
This is a critical moment to get your voice heard by the government if you are concerned about the health and environmental impacts of air pollution from fires and stoves.
A reminder about the DEFRA consultation on wood burning—it closes on Thursday.
The consultation page is here
https://consult.defra.gov.uk/domestic-burning/consultation-on-solid-fuel-burning/
and there is some very helpful advice on responding (especially if you are short of time!) from Mums for Lungs here.
https://www.mumsforlungs.org/news/responding-to-the-defra-wood-burning-consultation
Please do circulate to others who might be willing to respond
DEFRA Consultation on solid fuel burning - taking action to reduce fine particulate matter and smoke emissions
Overview
Air pollution is one of the largest environmental risks to human health. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) – tiny particles that can enter the lungs and bloodstream – is linked to conditions such as heart disease, asthma, and premature death. Vulnerable groups, including children, older people, and those with existing health conditions, are most affected.
Domestic burning of solid fuels such as wood and manufactured solid fuels is a major source of PM2.5 emissions. In 2023, it accounted for around 20% of the UK’s total PM2.5 emissions, similar to road transport. While air quality has improved overall, emissions from domestic burning have risen in recent years as stove use has grown in popularity. Tackling this issue is essential to protect health and reduce the estimated £20 billion annual cost of air pollution to society.
This consultation sets out proposals to reduce emissions from domestic burning through:
- Stricter emission limits for new stoves – introducing tougher smoke emission standards for new appliances placed on the market.
- Mandatory labelling for stoves and fuels – providing clear information on emissions, permitted fuels, and health impacts to help consumers make informed choices.
- Increased enforcement penalties – raising penalties for suppliers who breach fuel standards to ensure compliance.
These measures aim to cut harmful emissions, support cleaner technologies, and give households better information about the health impacts of burning solid fuels.
This is a UK wide consultation, undertaken by Defra in collaboration with Scottish Government, Welsh Government and DAERA. Any further action in response to the findings of this consultation will be developed alongside the Devolved Governments.
Why your views matter
Your feedback will help shape policies that protect health and the environment while considering practical impacts on households and businesses. This consultation is open to everyone – whether you burn solid fuels at home, work in the stove or fuel industry, or simply care about cleaner air.
By responding, you can:
- Influence how new emission limits and labelling schemes are designed and implemented.
- Share views on the balance between health benefits and practical considerations for households and businesses.
- Help ensure that enforcement measures are fair and effective.
Your input will inform decisions on how best to reduce harmful emissions from domestic burning and improve air quality for all. Together, we can take action to make the air we breathe cleaner and healthier.
The consultation will not lead to meaningful reductions in air pollution from domestic burning because:
- All those currently affected by households burning near them can expect no respite.
- The effect of burning on neighbourhoods in the UK is not acknowledged.
- The new emissions limits suggested for stoves are largely already met.
- The timeline is too long, with only minimal reductions after 3-5 years.
- Health professionals and social scientists should have input on proposed labelling.
- The proposed penalties are not high enough.
- It does not propose a ban on non-essential wood burning.
The strongest submissions are those that are written in your own words, outlining your personal experience of this issue!