Charities Demand Clean Air Act: Tackle Pollution

A coalition of over 60 charities has urged the government to introduce a comprehensive clean air act. This proposed legislation aims to ban wood burning, clear diesel vehicles from roads, and empower councils to reduce pollution. Currently, air pollution is a significant environmental health risk in the UK, with an estimated annual cost of £27 billion and links to conditions like asthma, cancer, and dementia.

Experts highlight that regulations for air quality, originally designed for coal pollution, are insufficient for modern sources like wood burning. Despite thousands of complaints regarding wood burning annually, very few fines are issued. Organizations are also calling for a phase-out of wood-burning stoves, with support for alternative heating systems, especially in rural areas. Lobbying efforts by the stove industry have influenced government decisions on wood burner regulations.

Campaigners express shock at industry lobbying and devastation for children suffering respiratory issues. They challenge the government to prioritize public health by ending sales of new wood stoves and phasing out non-essential wood burning. While the Stove Industry Association emphasizes engagement in democratic processes and supports evidence-based measures, concerns remain about pollutants from even newer stove models. The government states new rules are in place to reduce domestic burning harms and will monitor pollution.