How Dartmoor National Park Authority is tackling climate change

What are the things that your NPA considers it is strong on in relation to climate change mitigation and/ or adaptation?

Communication and understanding:

The Authority has placed considerable emphasis on interpreting what climate change means for the National Park and its communities as a prerequisite to getting community action: ‘from understanding to action’

• Exhibition and outreach work around the theme ‘I Can Change the Future’ (54,500 visitors July – October 2007, 18 press releases, 5000 web hits, 10 school activities, guided walks, etc). New urban/rural venues and activities 08/09 - Defra Challenge Funding 07-10
• Establishment of new partnership with local communities within and adjacent to the National Park (Dartmoor Circle) focused on practical support and information exchange. Climate Action Planning Workshop (Feb 08) held with these groups to help take forward actions in the new National Park Management Plan with Dartmoor community groups.
• Establishment of partnership with local land management organisations – sharing best practice, establishing carbon footprint for Dartmoor - Nov 07.
• Workshops for Dartmoor advisers and farmers on adapting and mitigating climate change in farm businesses – April 08.

Practical habitat management

• Rewetting the blanket bog – pilot areas established, funding partnership with NE, ENPA, MoD, RSPB, Duchy of Cornwall, SWW for future expansion (PR09).
• Dartmoor Natural Networks – linking habitats on a landscape scale with community involvement.

Research

• Partnership with Plymouth University researching carbon budget and recommending appropriate management of Dartmoor’s blanket bog

Dartmoor Sustainable Development Fund

• This funding (together with the match funding from SWRDA) has been used to support innovative approaches to energy efficiency and sustainable living e.g. Archimedes Screw, Biodiesel Club, Moorcare Car Sharing Club.

What are the 3 main things your NPA is doing on climate change?

1. Communicating messages under the general theme of from understanding to action.

2. Practical habitat management.

3. Establishing partnerships to deliver climate change actions in the National Park Management Plan.

What are the 3 things your NPA aspire to do on climate change over the course of the CSR period (2008/09 – 2010/11)?

1.   Develop a ‘Transition Park’ initiative that provides practical support to local communities and land managers (in the form of advice and funding) on the adaptation and mitigation agendas and thus delivers the goals set out in the Dartmoor NPMP launched in Dec 07.

2.   Linked to 1, establish a greenhouse gas baseline for Dartmoor that will enable action to be targeted and progress to be monitored.

3.   Develop the Authority’s own work so that we are aiming to lead by example through our actions and the practical management of land and buildings that we own.

What are the main obstacles that you currently face to do more?  

• Innovative funding models  eg assistance to develop an ESCO model for a rural area with small populations.
• Development of HLS and UELS so that they establish a carbon currency for paying farmers to store and manage carbon (and other greenhouse gases). Would like to develop this at a National Park level, perhaps via a Service Level Agreement with Natural England.
• Research, information and ideas – how do we know we are doing the right thing? Risk of re-inventing wheels etc.