Following the 2024 election results with Keir Starmer emerging as the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, we will be examining the Labour Party’s manifesto and assessing how it addresses net zero, energy security, and environmental concerns relating to our industry. The promises made in Labour’s manifesto and the topics within – including omissions – will be examined, as well as areas where existing progress must be accelerated.

The recent joint letter from Angela Rayner (MHCLG) and Steve Reed (Defra) is a sign of progress being bolstered quickly, with the two departments joining together to address their problems of housing and nature across the UK in an effort to find a solution that supports both. This proactivity and cooperation across the two departments is welcome and encourages further collaboration in the future, ensuring issues are comprehensively addressed. Find out more about these departments and who leads them.

What does the Labour Party Manifesto 2024 say?

Whilst there has no doubt been further mentions of the environment, air quality, and our industry from our new Government, this article focuses specifically on what the Labour Party’s manifesto states.

“[We will] invest in home insulation upgrades”

Increasing the number of homes across the UK that are sufficiently insulated helps to reduce the prevalence and impact of fuel poverty. If your house is sufficiently insulated, it will stay warmer for longer, reducing the amount of fuel required to keep your home warm and reducing the energy that is wasted when it is warmed. These positive effects translate across all energy sectors, including our own.

“We will invest in carbon capture and storage”

Carbon capture and storage is an important step in reducing the UK’s impact on climate change; although technology must improve if we are to predominantly rely on this method of reduction, it is positive to see its importance understood and prioritised alongside other environmental actions. Stating a commitment to investment in carbon capture and storage – including a commitment to establish three new National Forests in England and planting ‘millions of trees’ – whilst not dismissing existing measures towards sustainability demonstrates that Labour’s intended approach should be a well-rounded commitment to improving the UK’s environment, working towards a sustainable future.

“We will not grant new coal licences”

This action, along with Labour’s plan to prioritise renewable energy over fossil fuels, is important not only for the UK’s sustainability goals but also for energy security. Rather than risking an energy crisis similar to the one resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, investing in local and renewable energy will ensure stability, security, affordability to the energy markets of the UK.

“Labour will ensure the institutional framework for policy making reflects our commitments to reach net zero and meet our carbon budgets.”

As climate change affects everyone and every sector, it is promising to see its impact acknowledged by Labour. Net zero and carbon reduction targets intertwine with a multitude of other policies – some of which may appear unrelated on the surface. The acknowledgement that future policies must align with the UK’s environmental commitments signifies a positive outlook for future policies under the new Labour government. This will of course require regular monitoring and checks to ensure this commitment is adhered to, but the commitment is an important first step towards progress.

“Labour will deliver for nature, taking action to meet our Environment Act targets”

Relating this to our industry, this is a welcome commitment, but one that requires further detail. We hope that specifics on how air quality targets – particularly PM2.5 targets – follow shortly and that action is swift, whilst simultaneously considering our industry and those reliant on their biomass and solid fuel heating appliances. Progress towards The Environmental Targets (fine particulate matter) (England) Regulations 2023 has decelerated in recent years, so it is evident that decisive, just action is needed to meet the 2040 targets.

Labour’s manifesto acknowledges the climate crisis and the urgency it requires, but further details regarding actions, timelines, and industry-specific issues (such as air quality) are required. We await these actions and look forward to continuing our work with UK governments and devolved administrations towards a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable environment.

Additional wishes

Specific commitments to cleaner air and air pollution reductions are notably absent from Labour’s manifesto. Whilst there are not any promises made that may directly worsen the progress the UK has made towards its air quality targets, recent progress assessments have demonstrated that decisive action is necessary to prevent the possibility of air quality targets not being achieved.

Labour’s manifesto details how they intend to address the ‘social determinants of health’, which may relate to air quality targets. With studies showing that air pollution is the biggest health threat to the average individual across the planet, air quality remains a health issue across the UK, but further details will need to follow to understand how air quality issues will be addressed by the new Labour government.

The Environment Act 2021 is directly referenced in Labour’s manifesto and we are hopeful that decisive action is taken to meet all the Act’s targets. With the current pace and scale of action being deemed insufficient to drive necessary progress towards reaching goals from the 25 Year Environment Plan (25YEP), significant action is needed as soon as possible. HETAS will continue leading industry and supporting all UK governments and devolved administrations – we are hopeful that Labour’s promise to meet all the Environment Act 2021’s targets is kept, and Keir Starmer demonstrates commitment to the UK’s environment.

Comments or commitments relating to the Biomass Strategy 2023 are absent from Labour’s manifesto. The Biomass Strategy 2023 contains steps that government intends to take to strengthen biomass sustainability in support of achieving the UK’s net zero target, exploring short, medium, and long-term goals. We hope the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero provide updates soon, creating concrete goals for the medium-term intentions outlined within the policy paper.

We hope that the progress needed to meet the targets contained within the 25YEP, as detailed in the Environmental Improvement Plan 2023 (EIP23), are acknowledged soon by the new Labour government, and that decisive action is made to accelerate progress. The EIP23 directly addresses domestic burning and actions that government intends to take to reduce the resultant emissions. As the Office for Environmental Protection stated in their annual progress report, government must make decisive action, implementing policies and measures effectively, for targets to be hit.

HETAS is optimistic that Labour will work to strengthen the UK government and allow for increased collaboration, as is stated in their manifesto. Our industry would greatly benefit from this unity; uniform legislation across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland enables progress to be bolstered. For example, the success of the Air Quality (Domestic Solid Fuels Standards) (England) Regulations 2020 could be replicated across the entirety of the UK. The Ready to Burn certification scheme is an example of a success from this legislation and one that could easily be achieved across Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

HETAS – our mission, scope, and commitment

Who we are

HETAS is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to reducing particulate matter and carbon emissions. We collaborate with all UK governments, devolved administrations, experts, and innovators across our industry to create new ways of minimising domestic combustion emissions. As a not-for-profit organisation, we are committed to working together for a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable environment and we will continue investing surplus funds into support, innovation, and education.

Our mission

As an industry-leading certification organisation, our mission is centred around the safe and responsible use of biomass and solid fuels. Our unique position allows us to provide expert information, influencing legislation and setting industry benchmarks.

What we do

Our work encompasses a wide range of areas, all of which reduce the negative impacts of the sector and minimise air pollution. As an organisation, we:

influence standards for appliances, fuels, and installations;

promote compliant appliances and fuels;

register trained, competent professionals;

approve training centres for the sector;

provide up-to-date advice to businesses, consumers, and regulators;

research improvements in service across the sector, and;

collaborate with the government to reduce negative impacts of the sector.

Our scope and commitment to quality

The work we do covers the entire supply chain; fuels, training, installation, maintenance, and everything in-between fall under our remit. We are a UKAS Accredited certification body, meaning we are annually audited to ensure we continue to demonstrate compliance with standards.

As an impartial, independent certification body, we provide trusted training and certification and maintain independence from commercial industries.

Consumer Engagement

In addition to supporting government and trade, we provide additional support to industry through our reliable, expert consumer advice. Our website and helpline provide comprehensive information on a range of topics, including responsible burning practices and safe appliance use. Our website is a trusted location for consumers to find advice and tips to minimise their emissions, and our social media is a trusted medium for consumer safety advice.

Strategic Relationships

HETAS maintains key relationships with government departments, operating and being involved in – through our wholly owned subsidiary, Woodsure – a number of government schemes. These relationships with government departments such as the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) grant us a trusted advisory position where we are entrusted with offering independent, impartial advice separate from trade associations.

As an industry-leading certification organisation that operates multiple contracts on behalf of government, HETAS holds the unique position of ‘trusted advisor’ to government departments. The breadth of technical information, knowledge, and statistics we are uniquely positioned to provide is viewed as vital to governments and devolved administrations when making policy decisions. Being an independent and impartial industry-leading organisation, providing registration and accredited certification, plus the well-established excellent services our registrants and certificated scheme members provide is what has caused us to be recognised as a trusted advisor.

We use our influence and the trust we have built to provide meaningful statistics and factual information to governments and devolved administrations. Our continued work with government departments, such as Defra and DESNZ, greatly assists the UK’s future towards cleaner, safer, and more sustainable domestic and non-domestic burning.

We are committed to fostering a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable environment. We look forward to continuing our work with UK governments and devolved administrations.