What were the big stories this year for wood burning? Join us to look back at 2025 before we look forward to 2026.
January
The year started with the London Wood Burning Project (LWBP) review of 2024’s media coverage of wood burning.
In early January, researchers at UCL mapped the distribution of wood fuel heat sources in England to help identify pollution exposures. This is the first part of a larger research project on the health impacts of domestic solid fuel use.
The second Clean Air Night was observed in January and supported by local authorities across the United Kingdom and Ireland, including Reading, St Albans, Eastleigh and the members of the London Wood Burning Project. Professor Sir Stephen Holgate of the University of Southampton delivered a webinar on the effects of PM2.5 air pollution from wood burning.
One news article warned that wood burning stoves could be as bad for you as smoking, while Cambridge and Camden published proposals to expand Smoke Control Areas.
February
As lung cancer associated with air pollution rises in never-smokers, research suggests that even small burning sources, such as candles, can impair cognitive function.
The Drax power station didn’t report that it burned wood from primary forests.
The Mayor of London promised to tackle air pollution caused by boats on London’s waterways.
Gedling joins the movement to expand Smoke Control Areas.
March
Great news for Londoners who are breathing cleaner air in the expanded ULEZ zone, but in Hampshire people were reported to have been stealing logs from a community garden to burn at home. In New York the argument over the flavour of wood-fired pizzas was put to the test, and the conclusion is that the woodsmoke does not influence the flavour. A study in Finland found that wood burning produces twice as much fine particle pollution as traffic in Helsinki. New research has found that smoke that lingers in the air is more harmful to health.
York proposed a city-wide smoke control area to reduce air pollution.
April
The UK Government Future Homes Standard is expected to allow the installation of wood burning stoves in English new builds despite the many health risks, and Asthma + Lung Cymru asks the Welsh government to take action on solid fuel burning to reduce the health harms from air pollution.
The LWBP produced leaflets and published an article on the Smoke Control Area rules.
May
Research shows a rise in the number of wood burning stoves in homes. A proposal in Hammersmith & Fulham may ban garden bonfires.
Complaints about a campaign about the health harms of wood burning led to the Advertising Standards Authority giving advice to Brighton and Hove City Council about these types of campaign. The Council has confirmed that the campaign is based on publicly available research and there was no formal investigation required, or rulings made.
June
France announces plans to ban the use of wood burning heating and a leading UK lung expert warns of the threat of indoor air pollution. Clean Air Day on 19 June was marked by events organised by local authorities, schools and communities.
The Royal College of Physicians released a report highlighting growing evidence around the health and financial costs of air pollution and calls for a reduction in pollution from wood burning. The college warns of the significant threat to health from air pollution as the damage caused by even low concentrations is better understood.
July
The Healthy Air Coalition publish a report outlining actions to improve air in the UK. The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, part of the Healthy Air Coalition, joins the call for regulatory action. A study was published by the University of Surrey showing the impact of wood burning stoves on indoor air quality and the need for additional controls. A new study highlights the role of air pollution in dementia.
The Wirral Smoke Control Order has been renewed to standardise rules across the entire borough.
August
The London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory 2022 Update was published, giving an update on the emissions of pollutants in London, the sources that these may be attributed to, and forecasts of future emissions.
September
A new study shows that lung function declines with age nearly twice as fast among those who use solid fuel heating at home, and wood burning and cooking are on the agenda at this year’s National Air Quality Conference.
The London Fire Brigade has reported that callouts for carbon monoxide fumes have more than doubled in the past five years. In Scotland, Angus Council announced a ban on the installation or replacement of solid fuel heating in its properties.
October
The campaign group Mums for Lungs highlighted a lack of Clean Air Act enforcement with only 24 fines issued following over 15,000 complaints in Smoke Control Areas. A new study links wood burning to nearly 2,500 deaths each year in the UK and the LWBP published an article on the distribution of wood burning stoves.
Researchers in Europe find that reducing pollution from road traffic and wood burning could do the most to reduce harms.
November
The Advertising Standards Authority upheld complaints that the Stoves Industry Association shared misleading information on their website regarding the emissions from wood burning stoves.
Pressure is being applied on the Welsh government to stop promoting wood burning stoves as the UK government reiterates the commitment to reducing emissions from domestic wood burning. Hackney Council urged residents not to burn wood this winter.
The UKHSA issued an alert about the dangers of carbon monoxide in the home. Carbon monoxide can be emitted from any fuel-burning appliance and it’s important to have a carbon monoxide alarm in any room that has a combustion appliance, like a wood burning stove, a gas hob or a gas boiler.
The LWBP published an article on the link between wood burning and increased decline in lung function.
December
The UK Government published the latest Environmental Improvement Plan highlighting the large contribution of fine particle pollution made by the burning of solid fuels, especially in urban areas and committed to consultation on new measures to cut emissions from domestic combustion. James Heydon of the University of Nottingham examines some of the weaknesses of the Clean Air Act 1993. Brighton and Hove, and Hackney Councils urged residents to avoid using fireplaces and wood burning stoves over winter.
The year has seen a growing number of institutions raising concerns about air pollution, including that caused by wood burning, and calling on the government to take action. Local authorities are increasing smoke control area coverage to improve local air quality as we are looking forward to 2026 and the promised government consultation on wood burning.
