Ditch patio heaters, pubs urged

Pubs are being urged to consider greener alternatives to patio heaters amid a continuing backlash from environmental campaigners.

With the smoking ban less than three weeks away, a growing number of pubs are hoping to accommodate customers by keeping them warm with outdoor gas heaters.

Research by British Gas has found Scottish pubs already emit up to 10,000 tonnes of CO2 each year - with the average heater emitting more CO2 in a year than a 4x4 car.

Once the English ban kicks in, the survey showed the amount emitted by heaters could rocket to 160,000 tonnes of CO2 - almost 10 per cent of the annual reduction the UK needs to meet its Kyoto commitments by 2012.

Friends of the Earth is calling for a complete ban on patio heaters. Director Tony Juniper said: "Patio heaters waste energy and inflict unnecessary damage on the environment. UK carbon dioxide emissions are rising, despite government promises of substantial cuts.

"It's time to ban the sale of these metal monstrosities."

Pubs are being asked to use alternatives, such as wood-burning chimeneas, braziers, or electric heaters, which emit less CO2 but give off more focussed heat.

Jon Kimber, British Gas energy efficiency manager, said: "There has been a real step change in people's concerns about reducing their impact on the environment and it's worrying to see these efforts cancelled out by a sudden boom in patio heater sales."

Ben Tuxworth, communications director at greene charity Forum for the Future, said: "It's pretty sad that keeping warm while you have a cigarette is more important than tackling climate change, especially in a country familiar with simpler remedies to chilly evenings, such as the woolly jumper.

"Surely these pubs could save money by scrapping the patio heaters and offering free pints to people who give up smoking."