Domestic combustion emissions fall below road transport emissions in 2023 

In their annual emissions report, figures from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) reveal that annual PM2.5 and PM10 emissions from domestic combustion have continued to decrease, falling below road transport emissions in 2023. The 2023 figures are the most recent covered by this report – each annual report collates estimates from the prior year (then are published in February the following year) to monitor progress against the UK’s emission reduction targets. 

Comparing the rate of improvement, the domestic burning sector appears to have made better progress than the transport sector – although the challenges faced by each sector are very different. It highlights the significant improvements the industry has made in reducing overall air quality impacts from domestic solid fuel and biomass combustion. 

Domestic combustion is defined in the report as “households burning a variety of fuels including wood, solid smokeless fuels, coal and fuels derived from waste such as coffee logs” – this includes unregulated practices such as bonfires, firepits, and barbecues. It’s important to remember that this term encompasses much more than households warming their homes with a wood burner. 

Key statistics 

Domestic combustion particulate emissions have decreased since 2022.  

In 2023 (the most recent data available), domestic combustion contributed to: 

• 20% of total PM2.5 emissions 

• 10% of total PM10 emissions  

2022’s data stated that domestic combustion contributed to 29% of total PM2.5 emissions and 15% of total PM10 emissions. This year’s report shows a significant improvement. 

Industry efforts 

This reduction follows continued progress across the whole solid fuel industry to reduce domestic combustion emissions. 

From high-efficiency Cleaner Choice appliances using Ready to Burn fuel, to high-quality installations paired with ever-increasing consumer awareness and education, HETAS and industry have stepped up to the challenge and worked together for a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable environment. 

Emission Reduction Commitments 

The UK has committed to reducing the annual emissions of five key air pollutants (ammonia, NMVOC, nitrogen oxides, PM2.5, and sulphur dioxide). These are referred to as emission reduction commitments (ERC) and were set in the National Emissions Ceilings Regulations (2018). 

The ERC require the UK to reduce annual emissions of these five key air pollutants by a percentage in comparison to the UK’s annual emissions in 2005. This reduction is to ensure emissions are continually reduced, with the 2005 emissions as a baseline comparison. 

In 2023, the UK has met its ERC and is compliant across all five key pollutants. PM2.5, which is most relevant to our industry, has a target of 30% reduction between 2020 and 2029. A reduction of 47% in comparison to 2005 was achieved in 2023, achieving another year of compliance (56 thousand tonnes of PM2.5 in 2023 compared to 105 thousand tonnes in 2005). 

Bruce Allen, HETAS CEO, commented on the annual report’s findings: 

The hard work of industry and our continued work with government, providing impartial, independent advice has helped the UK keep exceeding its reduction commitments and decrease annual levels of PM2.5. 

“Defra’s annual statistics grant us the opportunity to examine our progress and highlight ways we can continue minimising our emissions. The most recent publication shows that our efforts have created significant results which we can continue to build on over time. 

“A multitude of factors will have helped the UK achieve this decrease in particulate matter emissions. Technological advancement and innovation by appliance manufacturers has furthered progress. There are approval schemes promoting modern cleaner burning appliances – HETAS offers its Cleaner Choice Approval scheme where appliances can only register if they reduce particulate emissions by at least 50% more than smoke control area requirements. Other voluntary schemes exist in UK and abroad that allow manufacturers to demonstrate that successes to buyers and users.  Appliance manufacturers are advancing appliance technologies further forward, achieving improvements the industry has never seen before.  

“Another major initiative which so far affects only England, is the introduction of tighter controls on the most polluting fuels. Most significantly, there is now a ban on the sale of house coal. The only solid mineral-based fuels that can be legally sold are Ready to Burn manufactured fuels where emissions and sulphur content are strictly limited. The Ready to Burn scheme also applies to wood fuel, placing restrictions on the maximum moisture content.  These schemes and the use of approved logos enable households to easily find the high-quality fuel their appliance needs.  

“The efforts of HETAS and our registrants – as well as many other industry stakeholders – in increasing consumer outreach and raising awareness of the best burning practices has paid dividends, educating stove owners on the most efficient, least polluting ways of using their appliances to warm their homes. 

“We await government’s revised Environmental Improvement Plan and welcome further meaningful changes that support the solid fuel industry and stove owners alike in our joint goal of minimising emissions as we work together towards a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable environment.

Continuing progress 

We can continue to minimise emissions through promoting the most efficient appliances, high-quality fuels, professionally installed and maintained appliances, and the best burning practices. 

The HETAS Cleaner Choice scheme signposts consumers to the appliances that have been independently verified as producing at least 50% less emissions than required in smoke control areas, with a particular focus on minimising particulate matter emissions.  

Woodsure fuel quality assurance ensures that wood fuel is clean and sustainable, with all Woodsure suppliers going beyond legislated requirements to ensure the entire supply chain is sustainable and the fuel is high-quality. 

The continued high-quality work of all HETAS registrants across the UK ensures that installations follow all relevant regulations, making sure that solid fuel appliances can be used safely and efficiently. Regular maintenance and the trusted advice that chimney sweeps and servicing technicians provide keep appliances working efficiently and helps to identify and rectify any issues that may arise through a product’s lifespan. 

The HETAS Advice Hub is regularly updated, empowering stove users to get the most from their stove and keep it in pristine condition – all while minimising their emissions. 

By working together to combat the worst, most polluting burning practices, we can continue to reduce emissions and safely heat our homes. 

Useful links 

1. Defra Emissions Statistics
2. Environmental Improvement Plan 2023
3. 25 Year Environment Plan