Defra 2025 air quality statistics: PM2.5 targets ahead of schedule
England is Well Ahead of Its Air Quality Targets – Here's Why That Matters
The latest air quality statistics from Defra bring some genuinely encouraging news.
97% of monitoring stations in England are already meeting the legally binding 2040 PM2.5 target, and population exposure to fine particulate matter has fallen by 26% since 2018. The figures also show that England is on track to achieve its 2030 interim target several years ahead of schedule.
Although PM2.5 concentrations were slightly higher in 2025 than in the record-breaking year of 2024, Defra has attributed this increase to unusual weather conditions rather than a decline in air quality.
Progress Worth Celebrating
Commenting on the latest figures, Barry Cope, CEO of HETAS, said:
"England is genuinely closing in on its 2030 air quality target with several years to spare. That reflects work across many different parts of our sector – manufacturers building cleaner appliances, suppliers certifying their fuel, professionals installing and maintaining wood burners across the country, and stove owners increasingly understanding what good burning looks like.
"The data is still a useful reminder that the work isn't done. The evening peaks in PM2.5 concentrations are a clear signal that how people burn matters. We'll keep working with government, registrants, and stove owners to make sure emissions can keep falling each year."
It's a reminder that improving air quality isn't down to one single factor. Cleaner stove technology, better-quality fuels, professional installation and servicing, and responsible stove ownership are all playing an important role.
Why Did PM2.5 Rise in 2025?
Urban background PM2.5 concentrations increased by 12% during 2025, with roadside levels rising by 14%.
That might sound worrying, but Defra has confirmed that the increase was largely caused by unusual weather patterns during spring 2025. Easterly winds carried pollution from mainland Europe into the UK, while periods of settled high pressure prevented pollutants from dispersing as quickly as normal.
The long-term trend remains positive, with air quality continuing to improve year on year.
Why Do PM2.5 Levels Peak at Around 9pm?
One of the most interesting findings in the report is that PM2.5 concentrations consistently peak at around 9pm.
This coincides with the time many households light their stoves or open fires during colder evenings. While domestic burning contributes to these peaks, the report also highlights an important point: how you burn is just as important as what you burn.
Two households using wood-burning stoves can have very different impacts on air quality depending on the appliance they use, the fuel they burn and how they operate it.
Four Ways to Burn More Cleanly
Choose a modern stove
Modern Cleaner Choice stoves produce up to 90% less particulate matter than an open fire, while also being significantly more efficient.
Burn quality fuel
Always use dry wood with a moisture content of 20% or below, or quality approved smokeless fuel. Burning wet wood is one of the biggest causes of unnecessary smoke and pollution.
Keep your stove maintained
Regular chimney sweeping and annual servicing help your stove operate efficiently and safely, keeping emissions as low as possible.
Burn correctly
Light your fire from the top down, allow it to establish properly before reducing the air controls, and avoid slumbering your stove. A hot, bright fire burns more efficiently and produces far less smoke.
The Bottom Line
The latest Defra statistics are encouraging. Air quality is improving, and England is well ahead of its PM2.5 targets.
However, the report also reinforces that every stove owner has a role to play. By choosing a modern appliance, burning the right fuel, maintaining your stove and using it correctly, you can enjoy all the benefits of a real fire while helping to keep emissions as low as possible.
At Green Man Stoves, we're committed to helping our customers burn safely, efficiently and responsibly. Whether you're looking for expert advice, a new stove, or an annual chimney sweep and service, we're here to help you get the very best from your stove.
