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Stopping non-essential wood burning in UK homes could help save the NHS millions of pounds and prevent thousands of deaths, as new research from the organisers of Clean Air Night reveals the stark health burden of wood burning.

The new research, commissioned by Global Action Plan and Hertfordshire County Council, finds that air pollution from domestic combustion contributes to nearly 2,500 deaths each year in the UK. Across the population, this adds up to over 27,000 years of life lost to early deaths. The report, produced by air quality and economic experts at world-leading environmental consultancy Ricardo, also suggests that air pollution from burning in the home contributes to new cases of a range of serious health conditions, including an average of 3,741 cases of diabetes and 1,493 cases of asthma in the UK each year.

Read the report

Larissa Lockwood, Director of Policy & Campaigns at Global Action Plan – the charity behind Clean Air Night – said: “We all need to stay warm this winter, and we also need to think about the health impacts of our heating choices. An open fire or wood burning stove is the most polluting way to heat a home - air pollution from wood burning stoves is cutting lives short, putting people in hospital, and contributing to serious health conditions for people across the UK.

“It’s an uncomfortable fact, but the health burden of wood burning on the British public is simply too big to ignore. Existing measures to curb wood burning emissions are not tackling the burning problem at hand. The UK Government must take action to ensure everyone can access cleaner, greener and more affordable heating – including ensuring homes are properly insulated – as well as strengthening powers to allow local authorities to tackle air pollution, and providing clear guidance for the public on the health harms of burning wood and other solid fuels in our homes.”

Clean Air Night (22 January 2026) is brought to you by Global Action Plan with funder Impact on Urban Health.