Learn about a new UK coal mine approval, the UN biodiversity summit, and air-polluting eco wood burners, with our summary of this week's sustainability news.
09/12/22
This past week was filled with interesting sustainability and climate news, we’ve summarised the top stories below.
New report finds that eco-wood burners produce 450 time more pollution than gas heating
A new report published by England’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, found that ‘ecodesign’ wood-burning stoves produce 450 times more toxic air pollution than gas central heating.
In comparison, older stoves (which are banned from sale) produce 3,700 times more. According to the report, electric heating produces none.
Other figures published in the report disclosed that an estimated 26,000 to 38,000 deaths a year is a result of outdoor air pollution. Solid fuels are the most polluting method of domestic heating.
Small particle pollution produced by wood burning increased by more than a third from 2010 to 2020. This is the form of air pollution that is the most dangerous to health.
The report also underlines that dry wood produces a quarter of the pollution of wet wood.
Currently, the UK government’s 2040 target for small particle pollution reduction is set at double the WHO’s limit.
Another report found that no local authorities with existing smoke control areas have issued a fine for smoke pollution in the past 5 years.
UK’s approval of a new coal mine puts net zero commitments into doubt
The government has approved the first new coal mine in 30 years after two years of discussions.
Coal extracted from the newly-approved mine in Cumbria will be used for steel production in the UK and around the world.
The UK government’s own climate committee as well as industry experts have questioned UK’s ability to be a ‘green leader’ following the decision.
The government has defended the decision by stating that the project will create 500 jobs and reduce the need to import coal.
Michael Gove, secretary of state for levelling up, has addressed the criticism that the decision goes against UK’s net zero commitments by stating that the coal mine “would be relatively neutral and not significant” in its effects on carbon emissions.
Yet, the extracted coal is estimated to emit 400,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases each year.
Commentators pointed out inconsistencies in the government’s reasoning for securing more energy independence from Russia, as 85% of the coal is expected to be exported to the EU.
UN biodiversity summit: ‘fate of the living world' is being currently decided on in Montreal
UN Convention on Biological Diversity’s (CBD) 15th Conference of Parties is currently taking place in Montreal, Canada.
The biodiversity summit is considered by leading scientists to be even more important than COP27, considering the current rate of wildlife and biodiversity loss around the world.
The loss of biodiversity, on which humanity depends for crucial life-support systems and services, is described by some as a sixth mass extinction.
COP15 aims to ensure the protection of 20% of the planet by 2030 and a $500bn reduction in agricultural subsidies.
The previous CBD biodiversity framework, known as the Aichi targets, failed to meet any of its goals by its 2020 deadline.
Scientists state that this time there are more reasons for optimism - these include growing support for the “30x30” plan that aims to expand marine protected areas and the fact that biodiversity loss drivers are much better understood.
The key causes of biodiversity loss include agricultural land use changes, land conversion related to mining activities, along with overexploitation of wild animals and pollution.
One of the most important outcomes of the COP15 is expected to be a new Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) which is still in its draft version.
