With worries over the health of our planet and the cleanliness of our air rising, the government’s “Clean Air Strategy” aims to cut emissions across the nation. Pollution has been identified as among the greatest threats to health, behind only obesity, heart disease and cancer.
The Clean Air Strategy has been described as an ambitious, long-term initiative to clean up the UK’s air and save lives. Following a report from the World Health Organisation, particulate matter has been highlighted as the single-most damaging pollutant.
The government is set to publish evidence on the action needed to meet World Health Organisation guidelines. Michael Gove, Environment Secretary, commented; “the evidence is clear. While air quality has improved much over the years, air pollution continues to shorten lives, harm our children and reduce quality of life”. Clean Air Strategy sets out to limit particulate matter emissions from a variety of sources.
But what does this mean for gas appliances? The growing popularity of wood/coal-burning stoves and open fires has resulted with a spike in particulate matter, becoming the biggest cause of these emissions (38%). Michael Gove insists “we must take strong action”. The government’s new plan of action will involve;
- Introducing legislation to prohibit the sale of our most polluting fuels
- Allowing ‘only the cleanest stoves’ for sale post-2022
- Allowing local authorities to take action in areas of high pollution
- Updating existing smoke control legislation and making it easier to enforce
www.gov.uk/government/publications/clean-air-strategy-2019
