Renewable heat incentive ignores air pollution health impacts warns EPUK
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), announced by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) today, risks increasing air pollution in urban areas, warns leading charity Environmental Protection UK.
The RHI scheme will offer households regular payments for installing eligible renewable heat systems, including biomass burners such as wood fired boilers. Biomass heating systems can release relatively high levels of air pollutants when fuel is burned, a potential health risk in towns and cities, especially where air quality already reaches harmful levels. The RHI promotes the use of biomass heating systems in households and public buildings no matter where they are located.
A recent study by the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants suggests air pollutants of the type released by biomass heating systems, the same as those caused by traffic pollution, contribute to up to 200,000 premature deaths per year.
James Grugeon, EPUK's Chief Executive, said, 'EPUK welcomes any scheme that promotes the use of renewable heating and microgeneration, but not at the unwarranted expense of public health. The Renewable Heat Incentive published today shows a disregard for the quality of our air and public health in already polluted urban areas.'
Environmental Protection UK is advocating a location based approach to renewable heat and power systems, including small-scale 'microgeneration', which would see local authorities have a greater say in where they can be deployed, ensuring health impacts are minimised and the most effective locations for the technologies are promoted.
James Grugeon said, 'The RHI highlights the need for a rethink on the government's microgeneration strategy. It's a step in the right direction, but this broad-brush approach to installing renewables shows there is a lack of understanding about the local health impacts they can have and also where they work best. With more planning and collaboration with local authorities, microgeneration systems could be installed in places with the highest carbon benefit and the lowest health impact. The RHI shouldn't miss this opportunity.'
ENDS
More:
Lewis.merdler@environmental-protection.org.uk – 01273 878776
Notes to editors:
- Environmental Protection UK (EPUK) is a leading national charity that provides expert analysis, advice and advocacy on air pollution, land quality, waste and noise, and their impact on communities. We are made up of 1,800 members, including policy makers, environmental professionals working in local authorities, academics and business leaders.
- A recently published report by the Department of Health's Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP) found that air pollution was a contributory factor in up to 200,000 premature deaths during 2008. The COMEAP report can be downloaded from http://comeap.org.uk/documents/reports.html
- EPUK's response to DECC's Microgeneration Policy consultation: http://www.environmental-protection.org.uk//assets/library/documents/EPUK_Microgeneration_Strategy_Response_-_final_100311.pdf
- EPUK's 'Air Quality and Climate Change: Integrating Policy in Local Authorities' provides guidance on how local authorities can integrate carbon reduction policies with air quality management to both mitigate climate change and health impacts from air pollution. http://www.environmental-protection.org.uk/aqclimate/
- The Renewable Heat Incentive(RHI) will provide long-term financial support to renewable heat installations to encourage the uptake of renewable heat systems. The full policy document is available on the Department of Energy and Climate Change website. http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/uk_supply/energy_mix/renewable/policy/incentive/incentive.aspx
Customer comments
No comments were found for Renewable heat incentive ignores air pollution health impacts warns EPUK. Be the first to comment!