Defra’s ‘Air Pollution in the UK 2023’ report shows that the solid fuel industry is working hard to achieve targets

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) recently released their annual air pollution report, ‘Air Pollution in the UK 2023’. These reports are produced every year, providing estimates of pollution levels across the UK, insight into recent trends, and progress towards meeting targets. 

HETAS is dedicated to promoting the safe and environmentally responsible use of biomass and other solid fuels, appliances and associated technologies. Reports like this grant our industry meaningful insights into the progress of the UK’s air quality measures, as well as a deeper understanding into how we approximate the sources of pollution. 

Bruce Allen, HETAS CEO, commented: 

The Air Pollution in the UK 2023 report has shown that the UK continues to meet all its targets for PM2.5, and the hard work of the heating and solid fuel industry has resulted in reduced emissions across the nation, including meeting national exposure reduction target across all zones. 

“The results in the Air Pollution in the UK 2023 report show the success of recent measures taken to date, including technology advancements, cleaner, high-quality fuels, and consumer-focused education on how to burn responsibly

What does the report say? 

As is stated in the report, one of the largest challenges our industry faces is the reduction of PM2.5. Current legislative actions such as the Ready to Burn scheme, smoke control areas, and emissions limits for appliances have been successful at enabling the UK to hit its emissions targets since their introduction. 

As the popularity of domestic solid fuel combustion has increased (due to a range of factors such as rising energy prices and more individuals wanting fuel independence), the total amount and proportion of PM2.5 stemming from domestic combustion has also increased. However, as the report demonstrates, the annual amount of PM2.5 has continued to fall and legal targets for annual mean PM2.5 concentrations are on track to be achieved by 2040. 

PM2.5 falling annually 

The report states that both the annual concentration and annual emissions of PM2.5 have decreased over the last year.  

The annual concentration of PM2.5 has been met across all monitored zones in the UK, continuing the success of the year prior. Additionally, the total annual emissions of PM2.5 in the UK has fallen by 2%, totalling an 88% decrease of annual PM2.5 emissions since 1970. 

The UK has also met its emission reduction commitments required between 2020 and 2029, as stipulated in the National Emission Ceilings Regulations (NECR), with a 41% reduction in PM2.5 emissions between 2005 and 2022. 

The Environmental Targets (Fine Particulate Matter) (England) Regulations (2023) set out legally mandated targets for PM2.5 population exposure. The legislation requires a 35% reduction compared to 2018 to be achieved by 2040, with an interim target of a 22% reduction compared to 2018 to be achieved by January 2028. This interim target was met in 2023; England’s population exposure value was 7.88µg/m³ which is 22% of the 2018 value.

Expansion to the monitoring network 

The report also highlights the ongoing work that is being done to expand the PM2.5 monitoring network. Currently, PM2.5 targets are assessed using fixed measured from the national Automatic Urban Rural Network (AURN), and this expansion will support measurement estimates to allow government to understand the sources of different types of pollutions and what can be done to minimise them. 

Future plans for HETAS 

We will continue to work with all UK governments and devolved administrations to create a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable environment. Our role as a provider of registration and certification schemes, along with Woodsure and its schemes and government contracts, grants us the unique position of being a trusted advisor to governments. We use our year of expertise, factual information, and data to inform policy decisions, helping to create a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable environment. 

Important causes such as consumer education, domestic burning guidance, carbon monoxide safety, source apportionment efforts, regular chimney sweeping and appliance maintenance, and using a trusted HETAS Registered Installer are just a few of the ways we will continue to champion best practices in the industry and aid in minimising domestic combustion emissions. 

The Cleaner Choice certification scheme provides consumers with the assurance that their appliance produces minimal emissions. Cleaner Choice certified appliances go above and beyond current requirements, producing at least 50% less emissions that limits in UK smoke control areas, demonstrating a manufacturer’s commitment to emissions reduction. 

The HETAS Advice Hub provides advice to consumers, keeping them informed on the best way to utilise their appliance and how to avoid any potentially hazardous behaviours. HETAS is committed to creating a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable environment and we understand that by empowering consumers to burn responsibly and safely, emissions can continue to be minimised. 

Fuel quality legislation, such as the Ready to Burn scheme (administered by our sister company, Woodsure), ensures that consumers are only burning the cleanest, safest wood fuels. Enabling consumers to make informed decisions about the wood fuel they burn ensures that they can burn responsibly. 

When speaking on the success of the Ready to Burn Scheme across England, Bruce Allen, HETAS CEO, commented: 

The Ready to Burn scheme has provided support to those purchasing wood fuel, certifying that fuel is dry and ready to safely burn. As of 2024, there are over 2,000 fuels certified as Ready to Burn across England, and this number keeps growing as those not complying with the legislation face enforcement action. Measures such as these, when paired with responsible appliance usage and maintenance, have been imperative in reducing domestic heating emissions.