Commenting on the domestic combustion commitments contained in the Government’s Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) 2025, Erica Malkin, Executive Director of the Stove Industry Association (SIA), said:

“We welcome the Government’s measured approach to domestic combustion outlined in the Environmental Improvement Plan. The EIP recognises that many households rely on solid fuel secondary heating for affordable warmth, energy security and resilience, particularly in rural and off-grid areas.”

“The planned consultation on domestic combustion provides an important opportunity to ensure that future policy is both evidence-based and proportionate. Also, that it acknowledges the contribution to energy security and resilience made by domestic wood burning and differentiates modern stoves from higher emitting forms of household burning, including outdoor burning. Modern Ecodesign stoves offer substantial reductions in particulate emissions compared to older appliances and open fires, and the stove industry stands ready to work with Government to raise standards, support consumer best practice and help households make good choices.”

“We share the Government’s ambition to improve air quality while ensuring that those who need or want to burn are not unfairly penalised. The SIA will continue to engage constructively with Defra to ensure that any future domestic combustion measures are practical, targeted and supportive of modern, lower-emission stove technology and consumer choice.”

(Pictured above: Erica Malkin, SIA Executive Director)