Domestic combustion emissions fall below road transport

In their annual emissions report figures from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) reveal that annual PM2.5 and PM10 emissions from domestic combustion have continued to decrease, falling below road transport emissions in 2023. The 2023 figures are the most recent covered by this report – each annual report collates estimates from the prior year (then are published in February the following year) to monitor progress against the UK’s emission reduction targets.

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Comparing the rate of improvement, the domestic burning sector appears to have made better progress than the transport sector – although the challenges faced by each sector are very different. It highlights the significant improvements the industry has made in reducing overall air quality impacts from domestic solid fuel and biomass combustion. 

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Domestic combustion is defined in the report as “households burning a variety of fuels including wood, solid smokeless fuels, coal and fuels derived from waste such as coffee logs." It is worth noting that this includes unregulated practices such as bonfires, firepits, and barbecues. It’s important to remember that this term encompasses much more than households warming their homes by burning solid fuels.

Obviously this is great news and shows that the hard work of the industry is paying off. By working together to combat the worst, most polluting wood burning practices and stoves, we can continue to reduce emissions and safely heat our homes.

If you'd like to read more on the statistics behind this information, DEFRA have their figures published here.