The Government’s backward step on wood-burning stoves puts public health and climate action at risk

A close up of wood being burned. Image credit: Photo by Aurora K on Unsplash

Health effects of air pollution

Image credit: Photo by Aurora K on Unsplash

In April, according to the Stove Industry Alliance, the Government confirmed that wood-burning stoves would be permitted in new builds. The decision contradicts the growing body of evidence from the government’s own data about the harmful effects these stoves have on both public health, health inequality, and the environment. The rationale is even more perplexing, given that these stoves are likely to be installed purely for aesthetic reasons, often alongside more efficient, alternative heating systems.

In the UK, domestic wood burning is a major source of harmful fine particulate matter (PM2.5). According to the Chief Medical Officer, even the latest ‘eco-design’ stoves emit 450 times more PM2.5 than a modern gas boiler. PM2.5 is one of the most toxic forms of air pollution. Its tiny particles are small enough to enter the lungs and bloodstream, contributing to a range of serious health problems, including heart and lung disease, strokes, and cancer.

Wood burning and health

By the government’s own estimates, air pollution is responsible for up to 43,000 premature deaths annually in the UK. The government has even estimated that removing all fine particulate air pollution would have a bigger impact on life expectancy in England and Wales than eliminating passive smoking or road traffic accidents.

Air pollution disproportionately affects people who live in lower income neighbourhoods and who are from minoritised communities in urban areas, where the impact of air pollution is most severe. Children are also particularly susceptible to the health effects of air pollution. City Hall reports that 3.1 million children in England attend schools in areas where air pollution exceeds safe levels for PM2.5. Early exposure to such pollution can impair lung development, worsen asthma, and hinder cognitive growth, which sets children back for life.

Wood burning and climate change

The environmental consequences of wood burning are equally alarming. Despite being marketed as a “renewable” energy source, wood burning is far from carbon neutral. Trees take decades to regrow and absorb the carbon released during combustion, meaning harmful emissions continue to accumulate, exacerbating climate change in the interim. The UK’s Climate Change Committee has recommended phasing out wood-burning stoves over time, yet this week’s announcement directly contradicts that guidance.

The government has a responsibility to ensure that housing policies align with its climate goals and public health priorities. By allowing wood-burning stoves in new homes, it risks undermining its efforts to decarbonise the housing stock and reduce harmful emissions.

Our work to reduce air pollution from wood burning

At Impact on Urban Health, we’ve been working with Global Action Plan to set out a policy pathway for reducing air pollution from wood burning. One of the major recommendations set out in Global Action Plan’s recent report is to disincentivise the installation of wood burners in new homes. The Future Homes Standard is a tangible opportunity to make this much needed change and this week’s news is a missed chance to implement a joined-up and forward-thinking policy.

Ultimately, the government must show leadership to improve air quality, while honouring its commitments to protect public health and climate targets. Wood-burning stoves are outdated, polluting, and harmful to both our health and the environment. They have no place in the homes of the future. Now is the time to phase them out, making the right choices today to create a healthier, cleaner, and more sustainable future for generations to come.

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