Bright Blue responds to the Government’s decision to introduce mandatory labelling and to tighten emissions standards on new wood-burning stoves, as called for in Bright Blue’s 2023 report, Up in the air? Delivering cleaner air in a socially just way.
Dr Will Prescott, Senior Research Fellow at Bright Blue, commented:
“Despite its cosy image, domestic burning is now the largest single contributor to total annual emissions of PM2.5, which is particularly significant because of that pollutant’s ability to reach deep into the lungs and bloodstream.
We need to address the real harms caused by domestic burning but, at the same time, we must be mindful that most people remain largely unaware of them. Raising awareness through mandatory health warnings and tighter emissions limits on new stoves strikes an appropriate balance between the need to reduce air pollution and the need to take the general public along with it, rightly echoing our recommendations in Up in the air.”
Bright Blue had previously called for warning labels to be added to all new and refurbished stoves, and for a ban on the sale of new stoves that emit more than 150g of PM2.5 for every gigajoule of energy produced.
Notes to editors:
To arrange an interview with a Bright Blue spokesperson or for further media enquiries, please contact Ryan Shorthouse at ryan@brightblue.org.uk or on 07754 672233.
- Bright Blue is the independent think tank and pressure group for defending and improving liberal society.
- Bright Blue’s Board includes Diane Banks, Philip Clarke, Alexandra Jezeph, Richard Mabey and Ryan Shorthouse.
Our advisory council can be found here. Members of our advisory council do not necessarily endorse all our policy recommendations.
Photo credits: Seiya Maeda
