Following the UK government’s ‘Environmental Improvement Plan: annual progress report 2023 to 2024’ (see our explanation article here), we have investigated the key activities that have been undertaken by government to improve air quality across the UK.

In the recent ‘Environmental Improvement Plan: annual progress report 2023 to 2024’, several key actions are highlighted. These actions are described by the government as having significant impacts on improving the UK’s air quality and cover a range of categories, from legislation and guidance to grant funding.

Key government activities

Environment Act 2021 PM2.5 progress report

The ‘25 Year Environment Plan Annual Progress Report’ was released July 2023, containing the first progress update on PM2.5 targets. This progress report assessed the condition of the natural environment and discussed the funding that had taken place over the past year through the annual Air Quality Grant. These grants provided forty-four projects with the funding to improve local air quality and allowed local authorities to address measures from their Air Quality Action Plans, with a particular focus on PM2.5.

The progress report also provided details regarding how the targets were calculated, meeting a key requirement of the ‘Environment Act Targets (Fine Particulate Matter) (England) 2023 Targets’ legislation.

Emissions of PM2.5 in England were found to have dropped, as is detailed in the progress report, identifying air quality improvements. Progress reports are vital in tracking our progress and highlighting areas that may require attention. As the years progress, it is key that government remain adaptive and not reactive, altering interim targets when necessary and aiming to improve air quality as much as is reasonably possible.

Air Quality Strategy

The Air Quality Strategy was published in April 2023 as a strategic framework for local authorities, helping enable them to improve their local air quality and contribute to the England’s PM2.5 targets.

Local authorities having the guidance and powers to improve air quality through both encouraging best practices and discouraging poor behaviours that worsen air quality helps give communities control over their air and, when successful, results in a net-positive for England’s air quality.

Expansion of PM2.5 monitoring network

In order to effectively monitor PM2.5 and assess progress towards meeting the targets laid out in ‘The Environmental Targets (Fine Particulate Matter) (England) Regulations 2023’, the PM2.5 monitoring network has been expanded over recent years.

An increase in the number of monitoring stations allows for increased hourly measurements and a larger coverage area, further increasing the scope of the monitoring network. Recent years have seen monitoring sites across the UK increase by over 30%, covering a wider area and providing more valuable data.

As the monitoring network measures more than just PM2.5 (such as sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and ozone), the expansion enables increased measurements over a larger area for a number of key pollutants.

£2 million of grant funding

Defra provided a total of £2 million in grant funding for the Small Business Research Initiative in April 2023, granting £60,000 per phase one project which aimed to develop a product or service that reduces the amount of pollutants resulting from domestic combustion.

Solutions eligible for grant funding must ‘reduce emissions by introducing a new fuel type, improving wood burning stoves and fires or by post-burning emissions capture and filtration’ – there have not been any updates on any potential projects since the competition closed.

Burn Better, Breathe Better

Defra launched their ‘Burn Better, Breathe Better’ campaign for the 2023-24 heating season in October 2023, raising awareness of the simple ways stove users can ensure they are burning responsibly. Find out more about the campaign and its key messages in our article.

With several scientific studies (1, 2, 3) highlighting the importance of consumer awareness and education, the campaign’s messages are a key factor in reducing domestic burning emissions across the UK.

Outdoor burning best practice guidance

Published by Defra in November 2023, ‘Reducing air pollution from outdoor burning’ was created to provide advice to individuals burning outside. The publication contains tips, information, and lists irresponsible behaviours.

Whilst the dissemination of this guidance is unclear, the importance of consumer awareness regarding air quality and best practices are reiterated, echoing messages from Defra’s ‘Burn Better, Breathe Better’ campaign, albeit aimed at a different audience.

What have HETAS been doing?

We have continued to work with all UK governments and devolved administrations. Our role as a provider of registration and certification schemes, along with Woodsure and its schemes and government contracts, grants us a position of ‘trusted advisor’ to government departments. We provide government with factual information and data that inform policy decisions, working towards a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable environment.

The industry-leading, environmentally conscious training we provide through our Approved Training Centres sets the benchmark for the safe, efficient installation of solid fuel appliances and ensures installations across the UK are safe and compliant.

The Cleaner Choice certification scheme pushes manufacturers to minimise the emissions their appliances produce, with a particular focus on particulate matter. All Cleaner Choice certified appliances are independently verified using the most robust test methodology recognised in the UK to produce at least 50% less emissions than current requirements in UK smoke control areas. Consumers using a Cleaner Choice certified appliance can rest assured that their appliance has minimised emissions, operating safely and efficiently.

Chimney Fire Safety Week 2024 takes place 2–8 September this year, highlighting the ways stove users can stay safe during the heating season. This campaign is run annually to provide consumers with essential safety information as the weather cools off and they are likely to be using their stoves again.

The HETAS Advice Hub is regularly updated, providing consumers with informative articles from a trusted source. The tip and advice we provide enables stove users to burn responsibly and stay aware of the importance of regularly installation maintenance.

HETAS and its registrants plus certificated scheme members are seen as providing excellent services, upholding the highest standards in the industry, promoting the best practices for solid fuel and biomass appliances, and having a strong influence on a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable future for domestic and non-domestic burning.

Find more information on the annual progress report here and keep up to date on the latest industry news by visiting our latest news pages.