Wood-burning stoves to face partial ban in Labour’s updated environment plan
Exclusive: Pollution targets set out alongside nature recovery projects to allay concerns over housebuilding Helena Horton and Peter Walker Mon 1 Dec 2025 06.00 CET
Wood-burning stoves are likely to face tighter restrictions in England under new pollution targets set as part of an updated environmental plan released by ministers on Monday.
Speaking to the Guardian before the publication of the updated environmental improvement plan (EIP), the environment secretary, Emma Reynolds, said it would boost nature recovery in a number of areas, replacing an EIP under the last government she said was “not credible”.
Reynolds said efforts to restore nature would now take place on “a strategic level” rather than a previously piecemeal approach, arguing this meant the government’s push to build housing and infrastructure could still come with a net gain in habitats.
I don’t think the problem is necessarily with a farmer in the highlands having a wood burner to get through the frequent power outages in severe weather. The problem is people in towns and cities running log burners as a cozy treat for themselves - but ruining the air quality for their neighbours. And yes this is a significant issue wood burning stoves are the single largest source of pm2.5s