The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has reportedly withdrawn his endorsement of wood-burning stoves promoted as “environmentally friendly” following a surge in sales of the appliances, which contribute to harmful air pollution.
Recall that In 2018, Khan endorsed the Ecodesign stoves, which comply with new regulations in an EU directive on minimum energy efficiency standards that came into force on 1 January last year, in order to encourage householders to switch from open fires and older stoves to more modern technology. He said Londoners could make a big difference by using the “right kit”.
The mayor’s endorsement – along with the government’s clean air strategy, which also supported more efficient stoves – is used to promote the sales of modern wood-burning stoves, often bought primarily to enhance the attractiveness of a home.
Wood-burning stoves is known to emit toxic particulate matter, known as PM2.5, which can be drawn deep into the lungs, increasing the risks from cardiovascular and respiratory disease. In 2019 for instance, exposure to these tiny toxic particles in the UK was linked to 33,100 premature deaths from all sources of pollution, including wood-burning stoves.
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Emissions of PM2.5 from domestic wood burning increased by 124% between 2011 and 2021. Wood burning in homes now produces more small particle pollution than all road traffic in the UK.
Khan has confirmed he is withdrawing his endorsement of wood-burning stoves after being challenged by the Liberal Democrats over the issue. He faces scrutiny over the extension of the ultra-low emission zone in London after Labour’s byelection defeat in Uxbridge and South Ruislip last Thursday.
A spokesperson for the mayor was quoted as saying: “The mayor has made it one of his top priorities to tackle the twin dangers of London’s air pollution and the climate crisis,”. “Due to the increasing evidence of the harmful impacts of air pollution, including from wood-burning, the mayor no longer endorses Ecodesign wood-burning stoves or any other form of solid fuel burning.”
The Stove Industry Alliance, which promotes the wood-burning stove industry, has removed his recommendation from its website, but it still appears elsewhere. Marketing material for Schiedel, a leading manufacturer, stated last week: “Stoves are good!” and that they are “supported by … the mayor of London”.
Story was adapted from the Guardian.
