Tackling wood burning
The air quality impact of wood burning
Burning solid fuels like wood emits fine particulate matter, also known as PM2.5. This is widely acknowledged as the pollutant with the greatest impact on human health. Both short- and long-term exposure to PM2.5 increases the risk of early deaths from lung and heart diseases, as well as increased hospital admissions.
Children growing up exposed to high levels of PM2.5 are also more likely to have reduced lung function and can develop asthma.
Research and data on burning wood
Government statistics on emissions of air pollutants in the UK show that domestic wood burning accounted for 11 per cent of the UK’s PM2.5 emissions in 2023. Emissions of PM2.5 from domestic combustion increased by 35 per cent between 2010 and 2020. This was largely driven by the rise in wood burning.
Meanwhile, research from the European Environment Bureau found that even Euro-certified 'Eco-stoves' emit 750 times more PM2.5 per unit of energy produced than a modern HGV.
In London, data from the London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (LAEI) 2022 estimates that over 15 per cent of London’s PM2.5 can be attributed to domestic wood burning, which is why managing wood burning is an important urban air quality issue.
Addressing wood burning in London
Existing rules to control air pollution from wood burning are enforced by local authorities.
The Mayor does not have the powers to directly control or reduce pollution from this source. He is, however, continuing to support boroughs to tackle and improve public awareness of the impacts of wood burning. Read about the projects he supports below.
Supported by the Mayor's Air Quality Fund, this London-wide training programme is helping borough officers better enforce Smoke Control Areas, including on waterways. Smoke Control Areas are areas where the use of certain types of wood burners and fuels are restricted.
In January 2021, the GLA also set up the London Wood Burning Working Group to provide a forum for borough officers to share updates on wood burning activities and coordinate action across the city.
Also supported by the Mayor’s Air Quality Fund, the Healthy Waterways project is a 14-borough collaboration led by Camden, Hackney and Newham.
It is engaging canal boaters on air quality and how they can reduce emissions from solid fuel burning and/or diesel use, as well as developing a strategy and toolkit for local authorities to tackle emissions from boats on canals and rivers.
Global Action Plan’s Clean Air Night is a campaign that takes place on 22 January each year. It raises awareness of the health impacts of burning wood and other solid fuels. The GLA has supported this campaign by funding marketing and communications across the capital.
Global Action Plan have produced a pack of communications resources for everyone who wishes to support the campaign.
Guidance for Londoners burning wood
Reducing the pollution from burning wood
If you burn wood, the best way to reduce your exposure is to stop burning or reduce the amount you burn. If you are going to burn, choosing what you burn and how you burn it can make a big difference to the pollution it creates. For further information, visit Global Action Plan’s webpage on frequently asked wood burning questions.
Burning wood as a primary heat source
If you’re on a low income and burning solid fuel is your primary source of heating, you may be eligible for free heating, insulation and ventilation improvements under the Mayor’s Warmer Homes Programme.
Defra has published a practical guide for people who use wood-burning stoves or fireplaces. It explains the rules for Smoke Control Areas and what residents must do to comply.
You can check whether your home is in a Smoke Control Area using Defra’s online map.
Smoke from barbeques and garden waste bonfires is also polluting and can be unpleasant. If you burn garden waste, please visit your council’s website for more information on garden waste and composting. If you use a barbeque, consider alternatives to coal including gas or electric.
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