Guidance for wood burning in London
Why is wood burning a problem?
The main pollutant emitted by burning solid fuels like wood is ultra-fine particulate matter, also known as PM2.5. It's not visible to the naked eye, so even 'smokeless' fuels and appliances may be causing pollution. PM2.5 is widely acknowledged as being the air pollutant which has the greatest impact on human health. Both short and long-term exposure to PM2.5 increase the risk of early deaths from respiratory and cardiovascular diseases as well as increased hospital admissions.
Children growing up exposed to PM2.5 are more likely to have reduced lung function and can develop asthma. Current evidence suggests there is no safe level of PM2.5.
How much of this PM2.5 is due to wood burning?
Government statistics show that domestic wood burning accounted for 25 per cent of PM2.5 emissions in 2020. Emissions from PM2.5 from domestic wood burning have increased by 35 per cent between 2010 and 2020. Domestic wood burning has become the single biggest source of small particle air pollution in the UK, exceeding that of road traffic.
A report from the European Environment Bureau showed that even Euro-certified 'Eco-stoves' produce 750 times more PM2.5 per unit of energy produced than a modern HGV.
Our latest data shows that in 2019, 17 per cent of London’s particulate matter pollution can be attributed to domestic wood burning (LAEI, 2019), which is why controlling wood burning is an important urban issue.
What should I do about it?
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. Reducing the personal pollution you and your household are exposed to from domestic burning is crucial to maintaining long-term health and reducing the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
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.
Stoves and fireplaces:
Open fireplaces are the most polluting way to burn solid fuels and pose the greatest risk to health and so should be avoided.
Since January 2022 all new wood burning stoves have to meet new EcoDesign standards. Ecodesign wood burning stoves produce 450 times more toxic air pollution than gas central heating, according to new data published in the Chief Medical Officer's Annual Report 2022. Whereas older stoves, now banned from sale, produce 3,700 times more. Wood burners can also be the least efficient way of heating your home and any wood burning will cause pollution emissions.
If you do have a stove or fireplace it should be properly maintained, and your chimney should be swept regularly.
The Defra funded London Wood Burning Project has more information on the risks to health from wood burning.
Types of fuel:
Since 1 May 2021, the Air Quality Solid Fuel regulations have come into force restricting the sale of wet wood and bituminous coal. A list of authorised fuels can be found on the Defra website.
Usually wood that has been kiln dried or seasoned to have a lower moisture content will be much less polluting, as much as 50 per cent less pollution than emitted from burning fresh logs. Drier wood is also more efficient, producing more heat per log and less likely to cause a chimney fire.
Wood that has the Woodsure Ready to Burn label is certified to have a low moisture content, for a full list of suppliers see the list on the Woodsure website.
You should not burn old pallets, furniture or scrap wood as it may contain contaminants that can be harmful to your health and the environment.
It is important to store your fuels correctly to make sure your wood and briquettes do not get damp from the rain or damp in the ground.
Coal and briquettes:
Coal burning factories contributed to the Great Smog of London in 1952 where thousands of lives were lost. In response, parliament passed the Clean Air Act of 1956, which restricted the burning of coal in urban areas and authorised local councils to set up smoke-free zones. It is against the law to burn coal in London. Burning coal and briquettes also contributes to human-induced climate change.
What is the Mayor doing about it?
Existing rules to control air pollution from wood burning are enforced by local authorities. The Mayor currently does not have powers to control or reduce pollution from this source, but has continued to lobby government on this subject. The London Environment Strategy sets out the additional powers required by the Mayor to tackle PM2.5 from non-transport sources and achieve the interim WHO target for concentrations of PM2.5 in the air by 2030 (10ug m-3). This includes: reforming the Clean Air Act to set tighter emission limits for wood burning stoves, providing authorities with stronger enforcement powers in smoke control zones, setting minimum emission standards for new wood burning stoves sold in London and more.
In September 2021 The World Health Organization (WHO) announced changes to their guideline air quality limits. The annual PM2.5 limit has reduced from 10ug/m3 to 5ug/m3. The Mayor’s current ambition is to meet the interim 10ug/m3 target for PM2.5 by 2030. We will undertake some analysis to help us understand when we might be able to achieve the new tighter limits and assess what further action needs to take place at all levels of Government in order to work towards achieving these new health-based guidelines. In the meantime, the Mayor continues to work for a zero pollution city.
King’s College London modelled the impact of these additional measures and results suggest that, if the Mayor had the additional powers set out in the London Environment Strategy, London can meet the interim WHO target for PM2.5 by 2030. However, without these additional powers and measures London won’t meet this threshold by 2030.
Despite the limited powers the Mayor has to tackle non-road transport emissions, he has taken a number of actions to address PM2.5 emissions:
- Establishing a local authority wood burning working group to work more closely with boroughs to raise awareness of the impacts of wood burning and to reduce emissions from solid fuels
- Writing to all solid fuel suppliers in London to remind them about the new national regulations on permitted fuels, as well as providing some background on the health impacts of air pollution.
- Developing training for boroughs in raising awareness of the impact of wood burning and improving enforcement of the new regulations
- Working with Impact on Urban Health and Kantar to research ways to improve the messaging on the negative health impacts associated with wood burning.
What does the law say?
The Clean Air Act says that you must not emit smoke from your chimney if you live in a smoke control area. The Clean Air Act applies to all properties, including canal boats and house boats.
The law also allows the Government to certify smokeless fuels and 'authorised appliances', which are expected not to emit dark smoke and can be used in smoke control areas.
For more details about smoke control areas, smokeless fuels and authorised appliances please check the Government website.
The majority of London is covered by smoke control areas, but if you are not sure check with your local borough.
Garden waste and barbecues
Pollution from garden bonfires can be avoided and can be damaging to people’s health, particularly if they have an underlying respiratory condition. The current pandemic, when many people have taken the opportunity to tidy up their gardens at the same time that respiratory health is especially important, has only served to emphasise this point.
Many boroughs operate garden waste collection schemes, access to home composting or provide facilities to drop off waste. To find out how to dispose of your garden waste responsibly contact your local borough or read this advice from WRAP on home composting.
Smoke from barbecues can also be unpleasant for other people. If you regularly have a barbecue in your garden, you should think about using a gas alternative or even an electric BBQ.
Outdoor heating
Read our guidance for businesses on outdoor heating options and pollution.
Need a document on this page in an accessible format?
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of a PDF or other document on this page in a more accessible format, please get in touch via our online form and tell us which format you need.
It will also help us if you tell us which assistive technology you use. We’ll consider your request and get back to you in 5 working days.