A significant policy reversal by the Scottish Government has sparked strong criticism from the medical community, as regulations that would have banned the installation of wood-burning stoves in new-build homes were scrapped. The government’s decision has reignited debates about air pollution, public health, and environmental policy, especially in urban areas where the health risks associated with wood burning are most pronounced.
The Controversial U-turn
The controversial New Build Heat Standard (NBHS) regulations, initially introduced in April 2024, were designed to limit harmful pollutants by banning wood-burning stoves in newly constructed homes. However, the Scottish Government temporarily suspended these regulations in September 2024 for a review. The outcome of this review has led to the scrapping of the ban entirely. Instead, the government has reworded the regulations to permit the installation of bioenergy and peat-based heating systems, as well as secondary heating systems, including wood-burning stoves.
Alasdair Allan, Acting Minister for Climate Action, defended the decision, stating that the changes were made in response to concerns raised by rural and island communities about energy resilience, especially in times of extreme weather or power outages. “We have listened to concerns… These changes address these concerns while retaining the spirit of the original legislation, which aims to eradicate polluting gas and oil boilers from new homes,” Allan said.
Despite these justifications, the reversal has faced fierce opposition from public health professionals who argue that the decision jeopardizes the health of both urban and rural populations.
Health Concerns Over Wood-Burning Stoves
Doctors and public health experts have been quick to condemn the government’s decision, particularly due to the known risks associated with wood burning. Professor Jill Belch, Co-Chair of The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh’s working group on air pollution, warned that wood burning stoves are a major source of harmful particulate matter, particularly PM2.5, which is linked to a variety of serious health conditions.
“Wood burning in the UK accounts for the majority of the killer pollution particles, PM2.5 in our air. It can produce over 600 times more air pollution than a diesel truck in a wood burner’s sitting room,” Belch stated. She emphasized that wood burning is not only linked to respiratory diseases but also to cancers, including lung cancer in non-smokers.
The medical profession has expressed disappointment, with calls for stronger measures to limit wood burning in urban areas, particularly in Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) where pollution levels are already dangerously high.
The Impact on Public Health
The negative health effects of air pollution, particularly from wood stoves, are well-documented. Professor Andrew Elder, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, reiterated that poor air quality remains the largest environmental health risk in the UK. He urged the Scottish Government to reconsider its position, highlighting the substantial body of evidence linking wood-burning stoves to harmful health effects due to the significant quantities of particulate matter (PM2.5) they emit.
“Given the quantities of PM2.5 that are produced by wood burners, the Scottish Government must reconsider its position on a ban on their installation in urban areas without delay,” Elder said.
In line with Elder’s concerns, Dr. Munro Stewart, the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Scotland’s representative for climate and sustainability, expressed concerns about the broader public health consequences of the delay. “Wood burners in urban areas increase the amount of lung disease we see in children, and raise the risks of heart attacks, strokes, dementia, and cancers,” Stewart stated, calling on doctors to advocate for policies that protect their patients from air pollution.
A Child’s Health at Risk
One of the most vocal criticisms of the policy change comes from pediatricians who are concerned about the impact of wood burning on children’s health. Dr. Mairi Stark, Officer for Scotland at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), highlighted the vulnerability of children to air pollution, emphasizing that it is one of the leading risks for childhood deaths in the UK.
“Exposure to air pollution is now the second leading risk factor for death in children under 5, both globally and in the UK. Wood burning stoves contribute significantly to this issue and disproportionately impact more vulnerable populations,” Stark said. She pointed out that children, due to their smaller size and higher rate of air intake, are especially susceptible to the harmful effects of polluted air, which can stunt lung growth and lead to chronic health issues in adulthood.
Stark and other pediatricians strongly support national policies aimed at improving air quality, including the phase-out of wood-burning stoves in urban areas in favor of cleaner heating sources. The decision to abandon the ban on wood-burning stoves has thus been met with significant disappointment among those advocating for children’s health.
A Divisive Issue
The Scottish Government’s decision to reverse the wood-burning stove ban has sparked a sharp divide between environmental and health concerns on one side, and energy resilience needs, particularly in rural areas, on the other. While some argue the policy change addresses practical needs for heating during power outages, others stress the long-term public health risks associated with wood burning, particularly in urban environments.
As the debate continues, the Scottish Government faces increasing pressure to balance the competing priorities of public health, environmental sustainability, and energy security.
