The Government is launching a consultation on measures to reduce smoke emissions from wood burning stoves and bonfires as part of its updated environment plan
The Government’s updated environment plan could see stricter rules for wood burners to reduce their smoke emissions. The Government announced on Monday that it will consult on ways to lessen the environmental impact of public wood burning, such as stoves and bonfires.
Under the new proposals, manufacturers of “solid fuel” stoves may need to phase out or modify older models to meet the new standards. However, this won’t result in a ban on the use of older stoves that have already been sold.
In areas of the country where smoke control is enforced, pollution limits might also be tightened. These are areas where restrictions exist on what fuels can be burned domestically in fireplaces or stoves.
Ministers have said the consultation will aim to minimise the impact these changes have on those who need to burn wood and to respect traditional celebratory festivals like Bonfire Night and Diwali. These measures form part of the proposed actions to combat air pollution in the updated EIP, which has replaced the previous government’s plan with a series of new environmental targets.
The Government has set a more stringent target to reduce the concentrations of PM2.5 – a fine particulate pollutant linked to asthma, lung disease and heart conditions – by 30% by 2030 compared to 2018 levels. 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 Tories 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 tirelessly campaigning for “Ella’s Law”, which would mandate the Government to achieve clean air across England by January 1, 2030, outlining a roadmap to meet World Health Organisation air pollution guidelines.
“It’s not quite Ella’s Law yet, but it’s a step in the right direction,” she expressed to the Press Association. “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.”
Further proposals
Elsewhere, the EIP outlines fresh targets for tackling dangerous chemicals, cutting invasive species and reviving ecosystems. Ministers will target restoring or creating habitats across 250,000 hectares by 2030 – an area bigger than Greater London, updating the previous goal of 140,000 hectares by January 2028.
They also pledge to publish a strategy next year for addressing PFAs, which have been connected to various health conditions and are dubbed forever chemicals because they take centuries to decompose in the environment. The objective to cut invasive species has been revised to 50% by 2030 compared to 2000 levels, by stopping new invaders from establishing themselves and controlling existing ones, such as American Signal Crayfish and Japanese Knotweed.
For the first time, the Government will also consult on boosting farmers’ use of methane-reducing cow feed products to slash planet-warming emissions. On access to green spaces, ministers revealed plans to strengthen the public’s legal right.
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) has announced that the Government will collaborate with individuals, communities, farmers, businesses and local authorities to implement the EIP. They revealed that £500 million of existing departmental funds will be redirected towards accelerating landscape recovery projects.
These projects involve ministers working alongside farmers and landowners on large-scale efforts to restore wildlife over a minimum period of 20 years. Additionally, £85 million will be invested in improving and restoring peatlands, while £3 million will 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.”
This plan is a legal obligation under the Environment Act, aiming to fulfil a broader commitment to significantly improve the environment for future generations. For the first time, ministers will also publish delivery plans for Environment Act targets, outlining which organisations will carry out actions contributing to the overall aims and how progress will be measured.
