The UK Government has delivered some welcome news for the woodburning community: modern wood-burning stoves will be allowed as a secondary heat source in homes built to the upcoming Future Homes Standard (FHS). The confirmation arrived in a formal letter from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government following a joint industry submission led by the Stove Industry Association (SIA) and backed by more than 1,500 businesses and woodland owners.
What the Government said
“Under the standards proposed in the consultation, a wood-burning stove would be permitted as a secondary heating source in new homes.”
This assurance comes on the back of last year’s public consultation on the FHS, whose aim is to make every new property “zero-carbon ready”—requiring no retrofitting as the national electricity grid continues to decarbonise.
Andy Dimond, Sales & Marketing Manager at SFL Flues & Chimneys, hailed the decision as “a very positive and pragmatic step,” which recignises the role modern stoves can play in supporting both energy resilience and net-zero goals when partnered with other renewables.
Why modern wood stoves deserve their place
The industry coalition highlighted five compelling reasons:
•Cleaner air – Today’s Ecodesign stoves produce dramatically lower emissions than older appliances and open fires.
•Energy resilience – Off grid heat that keeps you warm during power cuts.
•Support for local economies – Buying sustainably sourced logs sustains woodland management and rural jobs.
•Consumer choice – Homeowners retain a vital low-carbon option alongside heat pumps and solar.
•Technological innovation – Continuous advances in efficiency and emissions control make each generation of stoves cleaner than the last.
Charnwood: Ready for the future homes standard
At Charnwood we have spent more than fifty years leading and refining combustion technology, ensuring our stoves perform even better than Ecodesign requirements dictate. Our latest launch, the Skye E700 Intelligent Stove, monitors and controls the fire with a micro-processor that adjusts airflow automatically and achieves a highly impressive 89 per cent efficiency—making it ideally suited to the high-performance demands by the FHS.
Whether you’re planning a new build or simply future-proofing an existing property, our clearSkies-certified range offers:
•Ultra-low emissions – up to 90 per cent cleaner than an open fire
•Reduced running costs – less fuel for the same comforting heat
•Effortless operation – In the case of the E700 – just load it, light it, leave it; the stove does the rest
Next steps for homeowners and self-builders
•Explore our range of stoves by visiting your local authorised Charnwood stockist for tailored advice on sizing and specification.
•Stay informed by signing up to our newsletter.
•Include a modern stove in your heating design to safeguard comfort during power outages or energy-price spikes.
A return to common sense
The Government’s decision recognises what stove owners already know: when used responsibly, modern wood-burning appliances are part of the low-carbon solution, not the problem. With continued innovation, which Charnwood are committed to, and clear guidance from bodies like the SIA, the woodburing stove is set to play a key supporting role in Britain’s homes of the future—providing efficiency, resilience and that unique cosy atmosphere.
Wood‑burning stoves remain the heart of many British homes, but they are also subject to ever‑closer scrutiny. For that reason, the achievements of the Stove Industry Association (SIA) are significant far beyond the trade itself. In recent weeks the Association has collected two national accolades that underline its influence in Westminster, Holyrood and the wider public conversation on low‑carbon heat. Here’s what happened—and why it matters to every Charnwood customer.
Erica Malkin receives a Powerlist honour
The Women in Trade Associations Powerlist 2025 has named SIA communications director Erica Malkin among the 100 most inspirational women working in UK associations. Judges from the CBI, FSB and Trade Association Forum highlighted her two‑decade contribution to promoting the environmental and economic advantages of modern stoves.
Her presence on the Powerlist ensures that a clear, evidence‑based voice speaks for wood‑burning in the national media—vital when sensationalist headlines risk drowning out facts about Ecodesign technology and responsible fuel use.
Sector representation of the year—a policy win in Scotland
Just a day earlier, the SIA picked up the Trade Association Forum Award for Sector Representation of the Year. The prize recognised the Association’s success in securing an amendment to Scotland’s New Build Heat Standard, guaranteeing that wood‑burning stoves may continue to be installed in new homes.
The award reflects months of detailed engagement with MSPs, ministers and civil servants and the outcome safeguards consumer choice in Scotland and sets a precedent for balanced, technology‑neutral regulation across the UK. This is supported by the Scottish Government’s confirmation that sustainably sourced biomass is net‑zero carbon at point of use.
Why these successes matter to stove owners
The SIA being recognised for excellence, benefits every stove owner. Award‑winning communications ensure that journalists and policymakers hear the latest research on air quality, efficiency and carbon savings—research that counters outdated statistics often quoted against wood‑burning. Meanwhile, the victory in Edinburgh shows the SIA’s ability to defend your right to choose a stove when regulatory change threatens to limit options.
•Follow news as it happens including policy shifts and scientific findings before they filter into mainstream headlines.
•Learn how to light, refuel and maintain your stove for the cleanest possible burn.
•Use clearSkies search to compare fully certified Ecodesign appliances.
•Locate SIA Retail Group showrooms and HETAS or OFTEC installers near you.
•Stay on top of annual chimney sweeping and Ready to Burn fuel requirements.
Stay informed
If you would like to stay informed,follow the SIA here, or you can follow on their social media. More importantly, pay a visit to your nearestSIA Retail Group showroom where you can experience the latest Charnwood Ecodesign stoves and discover just how clean, efficient and future‑proof modern wood‑burning has become.
We had a great time exhibiting at BePositive, the energy transition exhibition, in Lyon! It is France’s premier event focussed on businesses helping to build a decarbonised world. Lyon is a beautiful city and the gastronomic capital of France, providing the perfect stage for innovators, manufacturers, and industry experts to share breakthroughs and solutions for a more sustainable future.
A landmark event for energy transition
27,000+ professionals and 500 exhibitors came together for three days of knowledge exchange, inspiration, and networking. With 200 expert speakers and 100 conferences and workshops, it was a great opportunity to experience the cutting edge of renewable energies, efficient construction, and wood energy technologies.
BePositive embodies a collaborative spirit and brings together a forward thinking mix of individuals and businesses that are paving the way for low-carbon living with genuine solutions. As the original wood-burning stove manufacturer in the UK, we were delighted to be among those showcasing products that are contributing towards a cleaner, greener future.
Show highlights: The new Skye E700 intelligent stove
Our stand in Hall 2.1, booth F46 was busy from day one, thanks in large part to our latest release: the Charnwood Skye E700—an ‘Intelligent Stove’ equipped with Charnwood I-Blu microprocessor-controlled technology. This revolutionary system automatically regulates airflow in real time, eliminating user error and offering a truly effortless heating experience. Simply load it, light it, and leave it, and the E700 does the rest—resulting in outstanding efficiency (up to 89%), reduced emissions, and a crystal-clear view of the flames.
Throughout the show, visitors were keen to learn about our Exclusive Launch Offer for the Skye E700, which allows customers to trade in their old, non-Ecodesign stove or open fire and save around £600 (offer valid in the UK and Ireland until 30th April 2025 and until 20th April in France, or while stocks last). The positive reception confirmed what we’ve believed for years: modern wood burning is here to stay, and it’s playing a vital role in the transition towards cleaner, more sustainable home heating.
The Haven cook stove & more
In addition to the E700, we showcased our Haven Cook Stove, which drew crowds, inspired by Lyonnaise culinary classics, eager to learn about the Haven’s outstanding efficiency and utility.
Combining the charm and functionality of a traditional range the Haven features an oven, hot plate and a large glass window for a beautiful view of the fire. The integrated thermometer allows for greater temperature control and cooking accuracy. It’s a surprisingly versatile and delicious way of cooking, allowing you to create soups, roasts, cakes, bakes and more!
Merci, Lyon!
We’ve returned from Lyon feeling inspired and our team is more determined than ever to keep innovating and refining our technology so wood burning remains a viable, responsible choice for generations to come. The Skye E700 represents an exciting leap forward, and we look forward to unveiling even more developments in the months ahead.
We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who visited our stand and of course everyone who helped organise and deliver the event – merci beaucoup et à bientôt!
For more on the Skye E700, or to discuss your trade-in upgrade, feel free to reach out to us or visit your local Charnwood stockist.
We’ve eagerly been awaiting the release of Defra’s latest data on particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) from domestic combustion. The findings are in – and its great news for the stove industry and everyone who appreciates the warmth and comfort of a real fire! According to the Emissions of air pollutants in the UK – Particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) report, overall emissions from domestic combustion have seen a significant decline, underscoring the significant progress in reducing air quality impacts from home heating with solid fuel and biomass.
Key findings from the Defra report
1/ Emissions Falling Below Road Transport One of the most striking headlines: annual particulate emissions from domestic combustion have fallen below those from road transport in 2023. This signals a major milestone in the journey towards cleaner air.
2/ 17% Reduction in PM Emissions from 2020 to 2023 Between 2020 and 2023, PM2.5 and PM10 emissions from domestic combustion dropped by 17%, with a 7% decrease in the last year alone (2023 compared to 2022).
3/ Long-Term Progress Looking back to 1990, there’s been a 72% reduction in both PM2.5 and PM10 from domestic combustion. These figures highlight just how far the industry has come over the decades.
Modern stoves leading the way
Andy Hill, Chair of the Stove Industry Association (SIA), credits a large part of these improvements to modern stove technology and better fuel quality:
“This significant reduction in emissions from domestic combustion can be attributed to several factors, including the adoption of modern stove appliances and the use of better quality fuel, and increased consumer awareness and education. The SIA and its members have played a crucial role in this progress, working collaboratively to create cleaner and more efficient appliances, and to promote consumer best practice.”
We couldn’t agree more. As stove manufacturers and #positivewoodburing advocates, we’ve seen first-hand how Ecodesign and clearSkies stoves are transforming the industry. By replacing open fires and older stoves with modern, high-efficiency models, we reduce emissions dramatically while still enjoying all the benefits of a real wood-burning fire.
Skye E700
We are not sitting still but constantly innovating and leading technological advances to reduce emissions even further – proven by the development of the remarkable Skye E700. Equipped with intelligent combustion technology that automatically controls airflow for optimal burning, the E700 is a game changer. Simply load the stove, close the door, and let the system handle the rest—it’s that straightforward.
Powered by Charnwood I-Blu microprocessor-controlled technology, the Skye E700 removes user human error by continuously monitoring the fire, enhancing efficiency and cutting emissions with real-time automated adjustments. It delivers just the right amount of air exactly when and where it’s needed, ensuring a cleaner, more efficient burn every time. This approach benefits air quality, conserves fuel, and provides a stunningly clear view of the flames. With an outstanding 89% efficiency rating, the Skye E700 is among the cleanest, greenest, and most fuel-efficient stoves available today.
A shared vision for cleaner air
The new data not only underscores the progress the stove industry has made, but it also points to a much-needed shift in the wider conversation around domestic heating. Rather than focusing on outright bans and restrictions, we can see a clear path forward:
1/ Replacing Outdated Appliances Encouraging the upgrade from open fires and older stoves to modern Ecodesign-compliant models is vital for continued emissions reductions.
2/ Using Better-Quality Fuel Quality, dry wood (with moisture content below 20%) and clean, approved solid fuels further reduce emissions and enhance stove efficiency.
3/ Collaboration & Education By working together with government bodies, environmental groups, and consumers, we can keep refining technologies and practices for the benefit of all.
SIA top tips for cleaner and greener wood burning
Choose an Ecodesign-Compliant Stove: Look for the clearSkies mark. If you’re currently using an older stove or open fire, consider upgrading to achieve up to a 90% reduction in emissions compared to open fires.
Check Smoke Control Area Requirements: If you live in a Smoke Control Area, you’ll need a Defra-exempt appliance. (All clearSkies Level 3 and above stoves are Defra-exempt.)
Seek Expert Advice: Visit your local SIA Retail Group member for help in choosing the right size stove and a detailed installation quote.
Professional Installation: Always ensure your stove is installed by a qualified competent person (e.g., HETAS or OFTEC registered).
Use Quality Fuel: Look for the Ready to Burn label to guarantee your logs are at or below 20% moisture content. Never burn treated wood or household waste.
Regular Maintenance: Service your stove and sweep your chimney at least once a year. An NVQ-qualified chimney sweep can also provide valuable advice for best practices.
Follow Manufacturer’s Instructions: Correct operation of your stove not only helps reduce emissions but also optimizes efficiency.
1. It sounds like you were a collector of random objects since childhood, which you carried around in a bag. Was this an intuitive interest or did you grow up in a household where objects were discussed and thought of in terms of origin and making?
I think a lot of it was intuitive and that we all have a natural affinity to certain things. I grew up in a household that was filled with creativity, my father was an engineer and my mother a musician so a real mix of the technical and the heart. I don’t remember ever discussing particular objects or any process of making but just being surrounded by projects, ideas and music has deeply informed how and what I do. I think that within me I have this love of doing things well and I have always felt that I am both artist and designer, sometimes stuck between the two not knowing which I am. This has also left me a bit of an anomaly to others as I don’t necessarily fit in any box, but I am making peace with the fact that I’m both.
When I was younger as soon as I could walk I would carry around an object in each hand, or a bag filled with things I found. These were often not toys but anything from plastic drawing curves (I still can visualise these green acrylic curves) to a hammer! This lead on to me collecting all kinds of things from beer mats to plastic Christmas cracker trinkets. These things were all free or of very low value so I could collect them easily, this then has informed what I cherish and use within my collage work; sweet wrappers, postcards, magazine images. Things that are easily overlooked or thrown away, unloved things that are mass produced or beautifully badly printed these things are treasure to me. I still get that joy of discovering a beautiful scrap of paper on the street or in an antique shop it doesn’t matter to me where I find it. For me it’s all about a certain quality or feel, which is why all my work is made of real things (not digital elements) it has to feel right or I won’t use it.
I have also been drawn to logos and graphics from an early age and would sit and draw the tails of airplanes and collect plane tickets when family members travelled, or stick beer mats to my cupboard doors. Objects can have a real magic whether they are high or low in value or culture. I believe that we imbue these things with meaning, comfort and value. This is where I think my artworks come from imbuing paper with feeling, meaning and spirit even if it’s just for me. This I think is deeply linked to my collecting over all the years.
2. It’s said that Terence Malick in his film The Tree of Life, created a collage effect of moments in his scenes. Do you visualise your collages from observations in real life?
I think it’s a real mixture of real life observations and the imagined, but mainly I think it is the opposite of real life, an escape and running towards what seems impossible, higher, beautiful and escaping real-life laws and confines. This is why I gravitated towards the surrealist artists as a teenager and have kept this love of their work throughout my life, because it uses the everyday to transcend the everyday. Like Rene Magritté’s painting “Time Transfixed (La Durée poignardée)” with a train flying out of a fireplace or Joseph Cornell’s sea drift objects placed side by side in a box they have this magic that lifts us from where we are or what the objects were intended for. These everyday items can be given new purpose and meaning.
We all distil ourselves into the things around us and our lives get soaked into photographs, songs, art etc, these things are simple objects but they become so richly full of memory and meaning that they become priceless and so emotive. We all do this, we all create in this way, whether it’s intentional as art or not. We are all creators, we can all draw, paint and do whatever we like.
Mark Lazenby – “Set a Fire in my Heart” Collage
3. You mention that a lot of your work begins with words, are there any writers or art with words that particularly influence you?
My work all starts with an internal dialogue and this is mainly through my time in prayer and reading the Bible. It is how I process where I am at and directing all of myself and energy to God. A bowing down of self, a laying down of everything. I especially love reading the biblical Psalms and Proverbs and these speak to me every day and have made their way in to many of my collages. The Psalms are so rich in joy and praise but also ranting and despair, I find immense comfort in this fact that the writers feel what we feel, struggle with what we struggle with and that that’s ok to voice to God and each other.
We are all sacred and profane, broken and fixed, dust and eternal.
My work is an outpouring of this, the battle. If I don’t give it to God and explore it in paper I don’t function at all.
The words filter through and become a heart cry, a yearning, a song, a poem and then I try to interpret these into visual versions. This again is where I try to imbue the paper with all that’s going on internally. I also find immense satisfaction in the physical creating of my collages, the processes, the hunting for the right elements to create how I feel, what I’m thinking. I make them for me to understand, but I also want to make them as offerings to God, worship.
Artists using words within their work that I especially love: Kurt Schwitters, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Corita Kent, Cy Twombly, Peter Blake, Tom Phillips, Joe Tilson, Eduardo Paolozzi and too many pop artists to name!
Over the years I have been inspired by many writers and poets in my work: Hermann Hesse, Albert Camus, Franz Kafka, Gabriel García Márquez, Paul Auster, Gerard Manley Hopkins, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, W.H. Auden, Stéphane Mallarmé, C.S. Lewis to name just a few.
4. David Lynch in his thoughts on death, states he sees life as continuing. Do you find that the layers of life are helpful to explore through collaging?
This again touches on what I’ve mentioned in the previous question. For me the creation of a work is the way I start to understand God’s love, cope in the world, process what I’m going through, pour it out, externalise the internal. So I think it’s vital for me to make my collages, when I don’t get time to make I feel lost and not myself at all.
I have recently been struck by the fact that we are all immortal beings. I believe that we are all eternal. We all have a choice through Jesus to live continually in God’s presence or eternally separate but then knowing He is the one. Time is short and God loves us all now, this love wants to be with us throughout eternity we only have to say yes. This quote from C.S. Lewis is wonderful: “There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal… it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit”.
The call now is to love God with our everything and to love each other. This is my greatest desire and to also make what I can on any given day. I wouldn’t function without my faith, my family and my collage.
5. How would you encourage anyone with a novice interest in collaging to begin?
Creating is such a personal thing but I think it’s about tapping into what makes you you, what you love, what you have a natural connection to and then just exploring it, making a mess, making things that don’t work and when you keep going you develop your own language and you then stumble across your thing. For years I thought that I should create other work, not just collage and that it wasn’t enough. I tried to draw, to paint but I kept on being called back by the collage and I’ve learnt that for me that is enough, that collage is me. There are no rules, we complicate everything for no reason, we don’t want to look stupid or like we don’t know what we are doing. No one knows what they are doing! There are no rules. So find the things you enjoy, the things you find affinity with and run with them. Get some glue and some paper and find out what you love.
I mentioned before, Corita Kent who was a brilliant artist, teacher, Jesus follower and social justice advocate. Up on my studio wall is this wonderful list she put together that I often remind myself of and find immensely helpful when I get a bit tangled up:
“One: Find a place you trust, and then try trusting it for a while.
Two: General duties of a student: pull everything out of your teacher; pull everything out of your fellow students.
Three: General duties of a teacher: pull everything out of your students.
Four: Consider everything an experiment.
Five: Be self-disciplined: this means finding someone wise or smart and choosing to follow them. To be disciplined is to follow in a good way. To be self-disciplined is to follow in a better way.
Six: Nothing is a mistake. There’s no win and no fail, there’s only make.
Seven: The only rule is work. If you work it will lead to something. It’s the people who do all of the work all of the time who eventually catch on to things.
Eight: Don’t try to create and analyse at the same time. They’re different processes.
Nine: Be happy whenever you can manage it. Enjoy yourself. It’s lighter than you think.
Ten: We’re breaking all the rules. Even our own rules. And how do we do that? By leaving plenty of room for X quantities.
HINTS: Always be around. Come or go to everything. Always go to classes. Read anything you can get your hands on. Look at movies carefully, often. Save everything—it might come in handy later.”
6. You are shortly part of an exhibit called ‘Little Lights’ at Paul Smith which opens on the 14th of February. Can you tell me a little about your pieces in the show?
Paul Smith is someone that I have admired for a long time and have had the pleasure of spending some time with over the years. He is so enthusiastic and genuinely interested in people and all that he creates, you can’t help liking him and being energised by his joy for everything good in life. So when I was invited by Katie Heller (Art & Exhibition Manager at Paul Smith) and Nico Kos Earle (Curator & Writer) to take part in the ‘Little Lights’ group exhibition at the Paul Smith Space I jumped at the chance.
The collage pieces that I’m showing all have elements based around the theme of light. So a number of them are celestial with star references and the others have fiery elements like the sun or campfires. Two of the pieces that I’m showing have directly come about from my friendship with Ced Wells (A.J. Wells Director) and have been used for some recent publications of theirs, one for Vlaze’s ‘Fired Up’ zine (that I also was able to design) and the other ‘Set a Fire in my Heart’ for the covers of Charnwood’s 2025 Calendar and their new stove brochure. Both of these works started around the theme of fire. “Fired Up” was all built around the idea of gathering together, cooking al fresco, celebrating around a fire, eating and having fun, with an atmosphere of classic mid-century design and a nod to Slim Aarons and the Californian West Coast light. “Set a Fire in my Heart” has a narrative of walking through woods and returning to a cosy fire, with references to the Isle of Wight, water and faith. Ced was brilliant to collaborate with on these from start to finish. Their manufacturing business has fire at its core from the wood-burning stoves they make through to the beautiful vitrified surfaces fired in their huge furnaces. I love what they create and the ethos of the company as a whole, so again when I was asked to work on these I was thrilled.
In total, I have around eight pieces in the exhibition and it runs from February 14th to April 20th 2025, Paul Smith Space, 9 Albermarle Street, London, W1S 4BL.
To see more of Mark’s fantastic work visit his website here.
Jason Scarlett is a modern stove expert and woodsman exploring the real-life potential of renewables that promote our humanity and local green environment.
_________
1/ Jason, can you tell us how your early career, (such as your time spent working in Borneo) has inspired your commitment to the use of sustainable renewable energy sources and which of these sources has the most likely benefit to future generations?
As with most people, my understanding of renewables, efficiency and sustainability has grown throughout my lifetime during an era of great change for humanity. I was born in rural Norfolk in a house with one open fire and can remember the blackouts during the workers’ strikes in the 1970s. We had prepaid meters for electricity and had to make sure we always had a 50p piece at the ready. Moving to the urban sprawl of Southend on Sea aged 8, I can remember my first experience with a gas fire. Until the age of 15, all I had known was one appliance that heated one room in the house—then came the revelation of full central heating…and a shower!
Coming from a poorer background, efficiency and sustainability are important aspects of everyday life. My early years living in the countryside allowed me an understanding of nature that many towns folk miss out on, but my year working for the oil and gas industry in the Borneo rainforest, aged 19, was a real eye-opener to how we are destroying the planet. I saw firsthand how the extraction and processing of fossil fuels and the yearning of corporates to replace the forest with agriculture was devastating the environment and the local indigenous tribes that had lived in harmony with the forests for thousands of years. If people really understood where their fossil fuels come from and the devastation they create, then it wouldn’t be hard for them to link the current crisis to their convenient lifestyles.
Chatting to the ruling/ wealthier classes of Malaysians about deforestation, the usual answer was ‘you’ve chopped yours down, why shouldn’t we’ and that got me thinking about the countryside that I knew in the UK. Whereas my belief before going to Malaysia was that rich biodiversity was only found in rainforests like Borneo and wasn’t relevant to the UK, in fact, the comment ‘you’ve chopped yours down’ gave me the realisation that our countryside and biodiversity was just a shadow of its former self.
Returning from Malaysia, I built a fireplace and chimney business based on my unique skill set. Over the coming years, I worked on traditional fireplaces, chimneys and solid fuel heating systems which led me to researching traditional woodland management and modern renewables relative to heating our existing housing stock. The realisation that the remnants of our ancient forests once held rich biodiversity comparable to Borneo and could be replaced and enhanced through traditional native management techniques funded by my customers’ energy bills, revolutionised my ethics, working practices and the products I installed. Compared to all other renewable energy solutions, no others depend on replanting native trees and managing them like our ancestors who looked after their environment with sustainability and future generations in mind.
To leave our descendants’ native trees and environmental know-how seems to me far better than leaving them expensive upkeep costs of follies like carbon capture machines or the perpetual engine that is replacing old solar panels or turbines that are at the end of their life. Plant a tree to be coppiced and it could be there for 1000 years, lay down a solar panel and replace it in 25!
2/ The coppicing of woodlands looks to be a practice that was used globally pre industrialisation dating back to indigenous populations. Can you tell us why this practice was so important and why approximately only 14% of woodlands in Europe are now coppiced?
The management of local environments evolved in line with the advancement of human civilization and was key to our existence. There are many forms of traditional management, including coppicing, coppice with standards and pollarding, that will be relevant to the locality and what naturally grows there. Similar modern approaches such as continuous cover forestry, permaculture and agroforestry are all currently being implemented and link strongly to traditional techniques.
The use of firewood is the reason humans were able to survive in colder climates and so it was a very important commodity that happened to grow naturally. Understanding how to nurture the environment to give enough fuel and food to survive without having to roam was key for the development of early settlements. As communities grew, so did demand… nothing much has changed in that aspect, but when the only resource is from the local environment, the necessity for better efficiency, local know-how, improved agriculture and forestry techniques became ever more important. There are instances throughout human history that suggest the downfall of some civilisations was caused by their inability to balance sustainability with growth. During the Middle Ages the UK overused its resources and so developments in managing techniques during the 15th century followed by declarations from Henry VIII and writings from John Evelyn set the path for unique practices that could arguably be attributed to creating the modern world as we know it.
Then along comes the industrialisation of fossil fuels and cheap wood imports, and wood fuel from the local environment becomes worthless, even more so because of industrial farming and forestry. In a capitalist society, if something is worth keeping then it will be kept. The reason for sympathetic woodland management decline is because it can take more time, money, labour, effort and specialist local know how than modern industrialised fossil fuel extraction and forestry techniques. It also doesn’t follow with the corporate mindset and mainly promotes a local economy headed up by local specialists.
Whereas most of my knowledge about coppicing centres around Essex and the southeast, what I do understand is that some colder climates do have natural environments that have only a few species of tree that supports less biodiversity than a rich mixture of tree types. The industrialisation of forestry over the past 200 years has promoted the planting of monocultures across the globe that supports very little biodiversity. Planting one or two species solely to harvest by clear felling for a certain product using industrialised techniques has overwhelmed many green environments. We can see this practice across Europe.
Portugal planted vast amounts of eucalyptus for paper, which is not an indigenous species and is blamed for many of the forest fires they now experience. In the UK we planted many poplars for use as matches, while chestnut was used for fencing. In Scotland there is much debate about the foreign Sitka spruce and pine forest monocultures that were planted, the forestry commission has recently updated guidance for planting mixed species in the future.
In Los Angeles, there has been mass planting in urban areas of palm trees because they look nice while the surrounding forests have not been managed properly in the way that the indigenous people did for millennia. Again, this meddling in the local environment is misguided and has been a contributing factor to the recent tragic devastation.
Monoculture for the sake of a single product and big corporate profits can be seen across the world and can be blamed for the loss of many habitats. In Borneo, the virgin rainforests I worked in have now largely been replaced with oil palm. The corporate takeover of our forests removes the connection of local sustainable management practices, such as coppicing that enhances biodiversity.
3/ Would sustained local/global coppicing have helped mitigate the circumstances of climate change and find us in different circumstances today?
Climate change is just one of the problems we now face and there seem to be many reasons apart from carbon why weather patterns are changing. What seems obvious to me is how forests play their part with weather and reduce how much heat is trapped in the ground. In Borneo, I would be woken up at 5 am to a biblical downpour outside but when I left for work at 6 am, the roads and urban areas were bone dry. The rainforest, however, held on to the moisture with noticeable increases in humidity and in the forests, it was slightly cooler. I often walk through local Essex woodlands midsummer and the temperature drops considerably under the tree canopy. Removing these natural environments surely plays a big part in the formation of clouds, wind and rain.
The method of harmonious management of the environment has taken many forms that are relevant to the local climate, landscape and ecosystem. The systems each civilisation followed were carefully developed over thousands of years and were born through the necessity to survive. The added bonus of well-managed woodlands using coppice techniques is that the whole process can be carbon neutral (and possibly carbon negative). By only taking what the forests want to give in order to be healthy, ensures that the root systems, that store carbon, are not affected while promoting rigorous regrowth that in turn speeds up the carbon sequestration time of the carbon neutral cycle.
My concept is that if people survived alongside their local nature, being part of the ecosystem, then they are the best source to understand how their local environment can survive and even be enhanced alongside modern lifestyles. Turning our back on our history and ancestral wisdom is easy if it is blindly fueled by a corporate takeover that sees no easy profit in our old ways. Surely, it’s better and morally right to work with the locals to enhance their local economy that relies on the sustainable natural products around them rather than chop it all down in favour of monocultures that decimate communities and landscapes just to feed corporate greed.
4/ You place a great onus on the health benefits of switching off and staring at a fire. Is there a poignant story you might share with us, of how this has impacted a customer’s life you have worked with?
What if our fixation on TV, computers, and phones is just a modern version of fire-watching? It’s the same endorphin release, which taps into our primal love for the flicker of flames. At what point in human history did we evolve to have sufficient concentration and the ability to contemplate, recalculate our methods and use language to communicate, plotting the activities for the next day? What else other than controlling fire gave us a feeling of warmth and security while allowing a time for the community to come together in social gatherings. The day is done, daily chores completed, night falls and the only reason we didn’t go straight to sleep like other animals is because we lit a fire. What superstitions, religions and beliefs evolved from around a fire while watching the random flame picture of this magical element.
Over the past 50 years, there have been many attempts to recreate the real flame of a wood fire. Gas and electric fires with the best technology still cannot come close to the mesmerising effect of the random flame picture created from the gases released from wood.
Modern society has changed exponentially over the past few generations, some of it in a positive way, while it can be argued that family cohesion has fallen by the wayside. Modern whole house central heating methods give a luxurious touch button warmth in every corner of every room that allows children to disappear to their own seclusion, usually armed with their own screens to fulfill their desire to ‘fire watch’. In the past, when there were no distractions from the TV and only one space was heated, the whole family sat around the fire, staring into the abyss while ‘talking’ amongst themselves. Many of my customers say that when the stove is on, their children are more likely to sit with them, reestablishing traditional family cohesion.
One day last autumn was quite poignant, I was out servicing wood stoves that I had previously fitted and had two elderly customers booked in one after the other. The first lady, who lives in a standard Victorian house, was concerned about the current anti stove campaign. With tears in her eyes, she asked ‘are they going to take my fire away?’ She explained how the fire was her crutch during winter, not just for the warmth, but with her little dog laid out in front, it eased her loneliness and gave a feeling of security that is hard to explain.
The second lady lives in an affluent mansion by herself, surrounded by expensive furnishings and trinkets, she has the best of everything. Again, with tears in her eyes she said ‘this stove is my best friend, I couldn’t live without it’
One of the reasons I love my job is because of the feedback I get from customers. Even those ‘middle-class’ customers who initially turned up at my shop in their new BMW and just wanted a stove ‘because their friends got one’, come back a year later to proclaim ‘what have you done to me, that stove is the best thing I’ve ever bought, I can’t leave it alone, I even love chopping and stacking the wood!’
It makes you wonder what’s missing in the modern world, we call it all progress, but is it really?
You can check out more of Jason Scarlett’s fantastic work via his website.
At Charnwood, we’re in full support of the Stove Industry Association (SIA) launching the #PositiveWoodBurning campaign to highlight the many environmental, economic, and personal benefits of modern wood-burning stoves. Running for two weeks from 15th January 2025, this campaign is an opportunity to shine a spotlight on how responsible wood-burning can be a key part of a sustainable and low-emission future.
Modern wood-burning stoves: The difference is clear
Efficiency and sustainability are more important than ever and modern Ecodesign-compliant stoves are an innovation-led led response to these demands. Compared to older, inefficient models or open fires, these stoves can reduce particulate emissions by up to 90% while providing families with a reliable, cost-effective heating solution. Meaning no matter what’s going on in the world with energy prices/availability, they can always heat their home!
By using dry, seasoned wood— with a moisture content of 20% or less—modern stoves deliver optimal performance, generating more heat while using less fuel. This simple change not only enhances efficiency but also significantly lowers emissions, making it an environmentally responsible choice too.
A campaign rooted in awareness and action
The #PositiveWoodBurning campaign is not just about stoves; it’s about building awareness of the broader benefits of sustainable wood-burning:
• Emission Reductions: Modern stoves produce far fewer emissions than outdated systems or open fires, making them a key ally in improving air quality.
• Forest Health: Responsible wood-burning supports active woodland management, encouraging biodiversity and reducing the risk of forest fires.
• Energy Security: With modern wood-burning stoves, households can rely on a renewable, locally sourced fuel that offers independence from volatile global energy markets.
As Andy Hill, Chair of the SIA, highlights, “Modern wood burning stoves are not only a cost-effective and low carbon heating solution, they also play a crucial role in reducing emissions compared to other ways of burning wood such as open fires. By using dry wood, we can ensure that our stoves operate at their highest efficiency, providing warmth and comfort while minimising our environmental impact. We believe that through this campaign, we can help educate the public on the benefits of modern wood burning and encourage a shift towards more sustainable and lower emission domestic combustion practices.”
Why now? The case for positive wood-burning
Recent global challenges underscore the importance of reliable, sustainable heating. Energy security is a growing concern in the UK, with limited gas reserves and increasing reliance on imports. Modern wood-burning stoves offer a vital alternative, providing homes with consistent heat even during power outages or supply disruptions.
Moreover, the environmental benefitsof positive wood-burning cannot be overstated. By combining advanced stove technology with responsible fuel use and proper maintenance, households can contribute to a more sustainable future without compromising comfort or convenience.
Best practices for responsible wood-burning
The #PositiveWoodBurning campaign offers practical advice for homeowners to get the most from their stoves while minimising environmental impact:
• Choose the Right Stove: Ecodesign-compliant and clearSkies-certified appliances are up to 90% cleaner than open fires and significantly outperform older stoves.
• Use the Right Fuel: Opt for wood with the Ready to Burn logo, ensuring moisture content is at or below 20%. Avoid chemically treated wood or waste materials.
• Regular Maintenance: Have your chimney swept and stove serviced annually by qualified professionals. The Federation of British Chimney Sweeps has links to all the main sweep associations.
• Proper Installation: Ensure your stove is installed by a competent person registered with HETAS or OFTEC for safety and performance.
• Follow Manufacturer’s Guidelines: Adhering to the manufacturer’s instructions ensures optimal stove performance and longevity.
Please join the #PositiveWoodBurning conversation
The SIA invites everyone to join the conversation online using the hashtag #PositiveWoodBurning. Visitwww.stoveindustryassociation.org to learn more about modern stoves, responsible wood-burning, and the many benefits this approach offers.
For generations, wood-burning stoves have offered warmth, comfort, self-reliance, and a connection to one of nature’s oldest renewable fuels. At Charnwood, we believe these qualities must be closely aligned with responsible design – ensuring the timeless joy of a real wood fire has a valuable place in an increasingly environmentally and health conscious world.
A proven record of facing challenges head-on
While older stoves improved on open fires, there was still significant room for improvement in terms of efficiency and emissions. As we all learned more about PM2.5, the wood-stove industry tackled the issue head-on through technological innovations including:
Modern, Ecodesign-ready stoves now significantly reduce PM2.5 – by up to 90% in many cases when compared to older stoves and open fires. These improvements arose from dedicated innovation and a willingness to embrace new scientific insights. Thanks to independent testing and ongoing refinements, today’s stove owners can be confident their modern appliances, used appropriately, are both cleaner and more efficient than ever before. This track record underscores the integrity of our industry: we see challenges, respond with research and engineering, and deliver on our promises.
Emerging science on Ultrafine Particles (UFPs)
Now, scientific focus is turning to ultrafine particles. These are smaller than PM2.5 particles and are found everywhere. From road traffic and industrial emissions to sea spray, mushroom spores, laser printers and even the simple act of peeling citrus fruit. Their potential impacts on human health are not fully known and are still being investigated:
•UFPs can arise from activities at a distance – such as large-scale industry or busy motorways far from our homes – but the reality is that winds can carry these particles over vast areas. Pinpointing an individual source’s contribution to local air quality is extraordinarily difficult.
•The WHO determined that there was not enough data to provide guidelines for ultrafine particles (UFPs) – aerosolised particles measuring as little as 0.1 micrometers in diameter or less.(1)
•Studies and risk assessments remain inconclusive. As of now, scientists do not fully agree on the level of health risk posed by UFPs specifically, nor do we have a comprehensive understanding of each source category’s relative contribution. (2)
In this context, it is too early to claim a direct, confirmed health risk from UFPs emitted by any single source, including wood stoves—particularly as stoves contribute only a small fraction of overall UFP emissions compared to transportation, industry, and natural occurrences.
Nevertheless, at Charnwood we approach new challenges as we always have – by embracing further research. We continue to push for greater efficiency gains/emission reductions and are monitoring developments in filtration technology and beyond.
Overestimation and real-world context
As we’ve seen before with PM2.5, there is a desire from some to overestimate the impact of modern wood-burning stoves and the same will likely happen with UFPs. However, no matter the heating method – whether it’s a gas boiler, electric, heat pump, wind or solar – ultrafine particles inevitably arise somewhere along the chain including drilling, shipping, road transportation and burning for fossil fuels, large-scale manufacturing of high-tech components etc. All these processes can generate huge amounts of UFPs and other sized particles at different stages capable of contributing in varying degrees to the levels in the air.
A 2024 report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) found that: Average PM2.5 levels in England fell by 54% between 2003 and 2023, reaching a 20-year low.(3)
Despite frequent sensational headlines, the IFS explicitly noted a tendency to “overestimate the importance of wood burning” in overall PM2.5 apportionment.
They clarified that “emissions may be dispersed by the wind or brought to the ground by rain, meaning a large emission of PM2.5 may not translate into significantly higher amounts of PM2.5 in the air we breathe … Considering only primary PM2.5 tends to overestimate the importance of wood burning as opposed to transport and energy combustion.”
By focusing broadly on “domestic wood burning” and neglecting the huge performance gap between old, inefficient stoves and modern designs, some public campaigns overlooked real opportunities to tackle air pollution more effectively. The same may prove true for UFPs, where conflating all wood-burning – regardless of technology or best practices – could distort our understanding of actual emission levels.(4)
The unique positives of Wood Burning
While every form of home heating solution has an environmental footprint somewhere along the line, only wood-burning brings such a variety of unique benefits when done responsibly:
Energy security & resilience Wood stoves offer a degree of independence during power outages and times of high energy prices. They can heat a home even when the grid is down or gas supplies are uncertain and they don’t rely on intermittent sources such as sun and wind.
Sustainably managed woodlands Responsible wood-burning supports active forest management. Using locally sourced firewood encourages healthy woodlands when replenished responsibly.
Lower carbon footprint (with good forestry practices) Trees absorb carbon dioxide as they grow, making well-managed wood fuel part of a more balanced carbon cycle.
Ambience & wellbeing There’s an intangible comfort to a wood stove’s gentle crackle and glow – a focal point that brings the family together. 93% of stove owners say it has a positive impact on their well-being(3) (See our blog on “The Real Reason People Install a Wood Burning Stove” for more.)
Compatibility with older homes Many traditional homes were designed with solid-fuel heating in mind. Removing or neglecting this feature can lead to inadequate ventilation and moisture problems, sometimes resulting in mould or dampness. By using a suitable wood stove, occupants can maintain the home’s historical character and proper airflow patterns.
A big future role for positive wood burning
Beyond emission numbers, positive wood burning is about family comfort, reliable energy, and the stewardship of our woodlands. At Charnwood, our mission is to safeguard this heritage while meeting and improving upon modern standards – through rigorous research, responsible innovation, and genuine care for our customers and the environment. Our success in cutting PM2.5 emissions so far shows our commitment to leading the way. As emerging science investigates UFPs, we promise to bring the same diligence to any future challenge, ensuring wood burning remains a truly sustainable, rewarding choice that gives us energy security.
We can’t – and shouldn’t – try to live in a world with zero UFPs, as they’re a natural byproduct of countless human activities and processes that are vital for progress. But we can be sensible, realistic, and evidence-based in reducing emissions where we can – just as we have done with PM2.5. With news recently that Britain’s gas storage levels are “concerningly low” it’s clear that modern wood-burning stoves have a big role to play now and in the future.(5)
With the festive season upon us, it’s the perfect time to embrace the warmth, comfort, and community spirit that makes Christmas so special. In a recent Good Grief vlog, Reuben, Laurence and Francis joined forces with Chef Drew to create a truly memorable Christmas dinner.
Set against the picturesque backdrop of Moor Farm, and joined by some of the team from Charnwood, A.J Wells, and Vlaze, the scene was set for a celebration that highlights the Island’s abundance of top-quality ingredients and passionate producers.
Read on for some ‘feastive’ inspiration!
A feast centred around local flavour
Drawing on wonderful produce with Isle of Wight provenance from – Briddlesford Farm, Harvey Browns, Wight Knuckle Brewery, and Wight Whisky – they curated a menu that had something for everyone.
From the show-stopping Beef Wellington to colourful seasonal vegetables and a creamy three-cheese cauliflower bake (Reuban loves cheese), this holiday feast proved that great ingredients and a dash of creativity can transform your table into something truly special.
Cooking with confidence
The Charnwood Haven, a beautiful wood-fired range cooker, provided gentle, reliable heat for preparing the co-main event. There’s something deeply satisfying about cooking with a wood-fired stove that brings a cosy glow and warmth to the kitchen – especially when it’s packed full of succulent, locally sourced meat and veg.
For those who love an extra festive flourish, a turkey cooked in a Big Green Egg on a Vlaze module added a hint of culinary theatre. With dairy delights including creamy butter, milk, and award-winning cheeses from Briddlesford Farm(the halloumi in particular is a favourite), each bite told a story of the Island’s rich farming tradition.
Raising a glass (or can) to the season
Of course, no celebration is complete without something to toast with. Wight Knuckle Brewery and Wight Whisky stepped in with their seasonal sips, offering the perfect drinks to complement hearty dishes. A splash of Wight Whisky even found its way onto the Christmas pudding – why settle for tradition when you can give it a gentle Island twist?
A beautiful table, inside and out
Presentation matters as much as flavour, and the crew made excellent use of Vlaze surfaces for prepping and serving. Vlaze’s stunning enamel finishes brought a sleek, practical edge to the cooking space, while Lottie Rose Studio’s pottery and festive tableware provided a heartfelt, handmade touch. A perfect place to gather and share stories raise glasses and tuck into some delicious festive fare.
Join in the Isle of Wight spirit
This Christmas, consider sourcing a few ingredients from your own local farms, dairies, or breweries. Experiment with different cooking methods – maybe try slow-roasting your veg or infusing your gravy with a local tipple. Dress your table with ceramics crafted by artisans in your region, or invest in a durable surface that brings both function and flair to your kitchen.
These small touches transform a meal from a simple dinner into a celebration of community and creativity. Christmas is about bringing people together, and what better way than through the flavours and stories unique to where you live?
A festive invitation
If you’re feeling inspired, tune into the Good Grief vlog (below) for more insights and good cheer. You’ll find new ideas, genuine laughter, and the proud support of local businesses. Who knows – you might just discover a new festive tradition to carry forward for years to come.
Warm wishes from all of us this Christmas. May your table be full, your home be cosy, and your festive season filled with the joy of good company and great food!
Earlier this summer, the Supreme Court ruled that when Surrey County Council granted planning permission for the Horse Hill oil well they should have considered both the environmental impacts of constructing the well and the environmental impacts of using the final oil product. In effect, they said that the full climate impact should have been taken into account (1). Considering the full environmental impact makes sense for these types of decisions; however, doing so does raise deeper questions.
Take the Horse Hill oil well. Whether it’s built or not, the people of Surrey—and indeed the UK—are likely to continue using the same amount of oil products as before. The extra capacity isn’t expected to lower oil prices, so consumption will likely remain unchanged. Instead of oil coming from Surrey, it will come from somewhere else. For Surrey residents, this might seem like a win—after all, who wants an oil well in their neighbourhood? But the same people will still consume oil, just without confronting how it’s produced.Consequences that if placed in full view of those that use the end product might just have a small effect in reducing overall oil consumption.
Would seeing the consequences of our consumption make us more responsible? Does owning the impact of our choices change our behaviour?
Research from Environmental Psychologist, Professor Louis Chawla (2), suggests this may be the case. She has shown that an emotional connection seems to be very important in shaping our beliefs, values, and attitudes towards the environment. A. Kollmuss & J. Agyeman (3) define this emotional involvement as the extent to which we have an affective relationship to the natural world. The ability to have an emotional reaction when confronted with environmental degradation.
Beyond environmental degradation,we should also ask questions about employee welfare and health and safety conditions of ‘faraway’ oil production – is it up to the same standards as the UK? What about decommissioning when the time comes, will that be done in a sustainable way? Our energy choices always have consequences, and real sustainability requires examining them all.
Heating Our Homes: What Does Real Sustainability Look Like?
When considering how to heat our homes, we have to ask: What are the true climate and sustainability impacts of each method? There are a lot of questions that need to be posed and answered to grasp the whole picture.
Equipment— Where is it made? How long does it last? Can it be recycled at the end of its life?
Most homesrequirea heating source, even with proper insulation. This equipment has to be manufactured, and that process has an environmental impact. As manufacturers, this is something we at Charnwood take seriously. We are proud to be a British company committed to making products responsibly and being a good employer. We are serious about keeping each other safe and we work hard to minimise our impact on the environment.We are part of the SME Climate Hub which commits us to work towards net zero and have ISO14001 Certification. Our suppliers are mostly local, allowing us to monitor working conditions, reduce transport emissions and by employing local peoplewe’re investing in the local community.
However, sadly our standards of practice and our ethos aren’t the norm as a lot of manufacturing has now shifted abroad. If true sustainability is being sought, then the employment, health and safety and environmental standards in these non-UK manufacturing companies must at least meet the levels we expect here.
One example is solar panels, many of which come from using Uyghur forced labour (4). The reliance of China to make solar panels makes us very reliant on them when unfortunately, relations are often less than optimal. Solar panels are frequently combined with battery technology which uses metals such as cobalt, mined using child labour in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (5).
True sustainability also compels us to consider what happens when a product reaches the end of its usable life. At Charnwood, we want to make good quality products which last a long time andhave the ‘right to repair’. End-of-life recycling is a crucial focus for us and influences our decisions at every level of the business. We strive to avoid contributing to landfill waste by ensuring our products can be repaired and reused. Testament to our commitment, we have been manufacturing for over 50 years, and many of our original products are still in use today.
Sadly, many heating appliances, and appliances in general do not have longevity and cannot be repaired. At a minimum, we need to ensure that they can at least be easily and effectively recycled. Currently 90% of solar panels end up in landfill despite it being possible to recycle them (6) – this is something that urgently needs to be addressed. It is the same for wind turbine blades, where many will soon come to the end of their life. It’s imperative to find ways of recycling these and hopefully this should provide a business opportunity for some.
Fuel or energy source used— How is this produced?
The fuel we use is critical to sustainability. Is it renewable? Does it harm the environment or biodiversity? And what about the human cost of production?
In the case of Horse Hill, for example, while an oil well in Surrey may not be appealing, not having it just shifts the burden elsewhere, where conditions might be worse. We’re still reliant on non-renewable fossil fuels, so we need to make responsible choices about where we source them. These sources may be in the North Sea, they may be in Surrey or they may be further afield, perhaps in Middle Eastern deserts or rainforests… Do we know the impact on human lives we are having whenwe choose to buy remotely?
Solar and wind energy
Harnessing solar and wind power makes a lot of sense, it’s a renewable fuel sourceand the technology doesn’t emit emissions in operation. However, they’re not without issues—such as inconsistent supply, issues with recycling and the impact on local landscapes.
Growing wood for fuel
Wood, on the other hand, is a renewable fuel that can offer many positive benefits. Planting and managing local forests support biodiversity and energy security. One of our dealers, Scarlett Fireplaces (below), has a brilliant wood fuel scheme calledWood Burning in the UK 2024thatencourages customers to invest in local woodland for their stoves.
In the simplest terms, almost every action we take results in emissions. Some of these have localised effects, such as smoke particles, while others, like excessive CO2 emissions, affect the global climate. It’s widely accepted that human-generated CO2 emissions are disrupting the natural carbon cycle, contributing to climate change. The severe consequences of climate change are now apparent across the world, with flooding, wildfires, and other extreme weather events making headlines regularly. Both local and global emissions matter, but arguably, it’s the global ones that have the most far-reaching and devastating impacts.
All of these factors are important, though impact with different levels of severity and we need to investigate the relative harm of each in order to discuss what true sustainability really is.
Dr Katharine Hayhoe, a leading climate scientist, writes about the comparison of deaths due to bad air quality compared to those of climate change. She states that premature deaths due to climate change are double or triple those due to bad air quality (7). However, the problem is that climate-related deaths disproportionately affect poorer countries, whereas wealthier nations like the UK experience much less of an impact.
Recently, I travelled to Burundi where in the capital Bujumbura the rise of Lake Tanganyika has been devastating – families have been flooded and many have died. Tragically, one family was even killed by a hippo who had come further inland because of the floods. The excess deaths because of climate change are apparent there for all to see and these are deaths of the young and old alike. It is also the case that poorer countries are disproportionately affected by bad air quality. Many homes across the developing world burn wood for cooking inside and suffer from high concentrations of smoke emissions.
In the UK, deaths due to climate change are very low, however, we are told that in London there are 10,000 excess deaths a year due to poor air quality, and 40,000 in total across the country. However, these figures are very misleading. In the BBC More or Less podcast Professor Anthony Frew discusses the 10,000 excess deaths in London. It is his view that even if air quality was drastically improved and the historical effects were removed, life expectancy would increase by just 20 days at the end of your life (8) – i.e 85 and 20 days vs 85 years old! Similarly, a University of Cambridge paper echoes this view, and concludes:
“There are huge uncertainties surrounding all the measures of impacts of air pollution, with inadequate knowledge replaced by substantial doses of expert judgement. These uncertainties should be better reflected in the public debates.
In addition, the situation in the UK is not what we would usually think of as a ‘crisis’. It can still be good to seek improvements in air quality, but only provided these are based on a careful analysis of the costs per life-year saved.” (9)
Despite the figures of deaths being grossly misleading, we do not seek to downplay the impact of smoke pollution on anyone caused by poor wood-burning practices. It is essential that where wood burning occurs, efficient modern appliances are properly installed and the right fuel is used. However, the potential issues arising from improper installation of wood-burning appliances are not unique to this technology; problems can occur with other heating solutions. For instance, a poorly installed heat pump in the wrong location can generate noise pollution and disturb neighbours. Whatever technology is being used it is vital to ensure that these installations are carried out correctly.
So, what does this mean for the choices we make to heat our homes? Below is a table highlighting various heating solutions detailing some of their key positives and negatives (+ / – ).
Campaigners on all sides are motivated to push their preferred solution while knocking the rest. As a manufacturer of wood-burning stoves, we have been on the receiving end of those who don’t like the emissions of wood burning. However, these campaigners often stray into the realm of extremism by refusing to acknowledge the bigger picture. Although usually well-meaning, they can become unwitting apologists of the fossil fuel industries, or less politely,serve as their ‘useful idiots.’
Most of us by now are wise to the issues of burning fossil fuels. However, issues with other greener technologies are less commonly understood. As pointed out by environmentalist Max Wilbert in the Earth Island Journal:
“Behind each piece of green technology is extraction. A recent International Energy Agency report estimates that reaching “net zero” by 2050 would require six times the amount of minerals used today. Another research paper says this would mean mining as much metal over the next 15 years as was extracted between the dawn of humanity and 2013.
‘Mining is unavoidably destructive to the environment and human rights,’ says Jamie Kneen, co-founder of Mining Watch Canada and one of the world’s leading watchdogs of the industry.” (10)
Solar panels on our factory roofs on the Isle of Wight
We’re not saying these technologies are inherently bad. In fact, we’ve made a significant investment in solar panels on our factory roofs, generating well over 1GW of energy to date. However, the uncomfortable truth is that all of our actions have environmental consequences, with our choices being limited to affecting the size of this impact. There is no perfect heating solution.
“Whenever a theory appears to you as the only possible one, take this as a sign that you have neither understood the theory nor the problem, which it was intended to solve.” Karl R. Popper (1972)
Despite the downsides of each heating solution, there are also, undoubtedly, many benefits. As stakeholders in our heating and energy security,we all have our part to play. For those in solar panel distribution, we need to find and create new manufacturing routes less reliant on China and forced labour as well as better recycling methods for solar panels. For us in the wood-burning stove market, we need to keep improving to reduce emissions even further. At Charnwood we are doing this by developing new automatic ways of controlling stoves – with the Skye E700 leading the way.
The Charnwood Skye E700 is an intelligent ultra-efficient stove which you can monitor and adjust from your phone
Working in conjunction with our environment surely is — exporting our rubbish to other parts of the world is not.
Burning wood, when using responsibly made appliances and using locally managed woodlandas fuel, can be sustainable. By being responsible for our local emissions and ‘owning’ our own waste and pollution it motivates us to do something about it and minimise it — like what we are doing at Charnwood most recently with the E700. It is also good for local circular economies by providing employment for those that grow, manage, harvest & deliver wood. However, this does not mean burning wood is always positive and importing pellets from North America to feed the Drax powerplant most certainly is not sustainable.
Solar panels can be sustainable, but we must ensure that we source these panels from responsible factories. Using panels that are made with forced labour is not sustainable and is frankly morally wrong.
It is difficult to ever class burning oil or gas as sustainable, however, we perhaps get closest if we use these fossil fuels from local oil or gas wells – that way we at least ‘own’ our mess and are more likely to alter our behaviours.
So, let’s take responsibility and try to look at the whole picture, factoring in the total impact of each technology.Let’s not oversimplify these arguments to the point we become extreme and refuse to contemplate and engage with other viewpoints. If we want to see genuine progress toward real sustainability, we must come together and collaborate in positive dialogue.
A full assessment of climate and sustainability impacts must be factored into the choices we make when heating our homes. The more visual the downsides, the more we will hopefully modify our behaviours, and where we can’t see the downsides of the choices we are making, we need to be proactive and choose to make ourselves aware.
A heat pump with solar panels and battery storage may seem like a good idea and it well may be!However, the sustainability equation must also account for factors such as the environmental impact of manufacturing the panels and extracting the metals for the battery, the recyclability of the equipment, the noise produced by the heat pump, and the reliance on fossil fuels when the sun isn’t shining.
Similarly, the sustainability impact of wood heating with a stove must also be carefully considered. Is it manufactured responsibly and under good working conditions? At Charnwood, we proudly say yes. Is the wood sourced sustainably? If you’re using a system like the one run by Scarlett Fireplaces, then it’s a resounding yes, as planting and harvesting local wood can greatly benefit biodiversity. And what about emissions? At Charnwood, we offer some of the cleanest burning stoves available, and our team is continually pushing forward with new technological developments to enhance efficiency and reduce emissions even further.
It’s by analysing the various impacts, strengths and weaknesses of each technology, we believe one of the best paths forward is a co-energy solution, combining renewable technologies with modern, efficient wood-burning. When solar panels and turbines aren’t generating power due to a lack of sun or wind, an ultra-efficient wood-burning stove can step in as a dependable heat source. This approach allows people to confidently embrace renewables, knowing they have a reliable backup with wood-burning.
Why Choose Us?
Choose Charnwood for a truly sustainable approach to home heating. Our team go beyond surface-level solutions, considering the full environmental impact of our products. As a British company committed to responsible manufacturing, we prioritise local suppliers, minimise transport emissions, and invest in our community. Our ISO14001 certification and SME Climate Hub membership demonstrate our dedication to reducing our carbon footprint. We design our stoves for longevity and repairability, ensuring they last for decades and can be easily recycled.
Our innovative technologies, like the Skye E700, offer ultra-efficient heating with minimal emissions. We’re not just selling stoves; we’re promoting a holistic view of sustainability that considers manufacturing practices, fuel sources, and long-term environmental impact. By choosing Charnwood, you’re supporting a company that’s actively working towards real sustainability in home heating.
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To conclude, of course, we are all more sensitive to what we can see in front of us, but it’s crucial to recognise our broader responsibility to the environment and communities beyond our immediate view. By embracing a more comprehensive understanding of sustainability, we can make better-informed decisions with widespread benefits.
