The Countryside Alliance has won an important reassurance from the government that there are no plans to force people to upgrade or replace existing wood-burning stoves - a small but important victory for rural households.

Following the publication of the Environmental Improvement Plan 2025, the Countryside Alliance wrote directly to the Secretary of State, highlighting the risk that proposals aimed at reducing emissions could have unintended consequences for off-grid and rural homes. Many countryside households rely on wood burners not as a lifestyle choice, but as an essential, reliable and affordable source of heat where mains gas is unavailable and alternatives are either impractical or prohibitively expensive.

The government has confirmed that existing stoves are not included in the current consultation, which will focus solely on new installations. This is a critical distinction for rural households who feared they might be forced into costly upgrades. By raising this issue, the Countryside Alliance has ensured that rural voices were heard and that these households will not be unfairly penalised.

While the government continues to pursue measures to reduce emissions from new stoves, experience from Scotland shows the consequences of introducing regulations without fully understanding rural realities. By securing confirmation that existing burners are safe from retrospective regulation, the Countryside Alliance has helped prevent unnecessary disruption and fuel poverty in the countryside. The Alliance will continue to keep a close eye on the government’s direction of travel, ensuring that rural households are not unfairly impacted by future policies on wood-burning stoves.

This is a reminder that rural communities must be listened to. The Countryside Alliance will continue to advocate for practical, fair and evidence-based policies, ensuring environmental ambition is matched by rural reality.