How Exmoor 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?

• Ambition – Exmoor National Park Authority is committed to achieving carbon-neutrality in its own operations by 2012 and has set a target for a carbon-neutral National Park by 2025 in the new Exmoor National Park Management Plan.
• Leadership – as well as setting ambitious targets, the National Park Authority has installed wind, solar pv and woodfuel renewable energy systems within buildings it owns and manages and has reduced its carbon emissions by over 20% in the past two years.  The Authority has established projects to work with local businesses, farmers and property owners to address issues relating to climate change– e.g. Greater Exmoor Network for Renewable Energy (GENRE).
• Partnership development and joint working – the Authority is working closely with a number of sub-regional and regional initiatives to develop and lead coordinated approaches to adapting to and mitigating climate change, e.g. West Somerset climate change strategy jointly with Forum 21 and Devon Association for Renewable Energy.
• Investment – the Exmoor National Park Sustainable Development Fund has played a key role in assessing the potential for micro-hydro and wood fuel in the National Park and in providing demonstration installations.
• Carbon sequestration – the MIRE project - a partnership with South West Water, Environment Agency, Natural England and local landowners - is making substantial achievements in re-wetting peatlands across the National Park to lock in more than 1 million tonnes of trapped carbon, provide improved habitat and provide the conditions for renewed peat formation.

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

1. Developing a strategy for achieving a carbon-neutral National Park Authority by 2012 including setting aside funding within the medium-term financial plan for carbon offsetting through investment in local renewable energy schemes.

2.Supporting the Exmoor MIRE Restoration Project.  This is good for wildlife on the moorlands; for the flow patterns of moorland rivers;   good for water supply companies; those living downsteam who benefit from reduced flood risk and erosion; and good for carbon storage and the reduction of CO₂ in the atmosphere.  Over 1 million tonnes of carbon is stored in the peatland of Exmoor and much more in the whole of the UK.  The drained peatland of Exmoor is now releasing carbon into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide (C0₂) as the carbon in the peat oxidises.  Rewetting the moors will reduce this effect and eventually as the bog begins to grow again it will begin to lay down new peat and store more carbon.  The project is also good for the future of the moorlands and the farming communities which depend on them since rewetting the moorlands will mean they will be improved for agriculture and management by stock grazing will still be required.  Ditch blocking raises the water table to a level just below the surface so that the dominance of purple moor grass (Molinia) is reduced leading to a more diverse mix of moorland plants and better grazing.

3.Commitment to specific targets in the Exmoor 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. Achieve a carbon-neutral National Park Authority by 2012 including setting aside funding within the medium-term financial plan for carbon offsetting through investment in local renewable energy schemes.

2. Gain an improved understanding of the impact of land management on carbon storage in the National Park and landscape scale approaches to adaptation for biodiversity.

3. Establish and commence implementation of a programme to move towards the achievement of a carbon-neutral National Park by 2025, particularly by engaging with local communities, businesses, farmers and landowners.

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

• Authority capacity – in the recent staffing complement review the Authority established a new post of Sustainability & Economy Manager to drive forward achievement of the climate change and economy targets in the National Park Management Plan.  However, the scale of the challenge exceeds the capacity of a single post.
• Knowledge – we need to know more about the carbon ‘resource’ within the National Park and the impact of human activities, especially farming and land management.
• Local capacity and skills – there is considerable local interest in the development of renewable energy and other aspects of a low-carbon economy but a shortage of skilled installers and maintainers of renewable energy systems.
• Access to bespoke advice – many people are keen to play their part but confused over the best way to do so and put off by the uncertainties surrounding the quality and cost of the myriad of technologies and incentives that exist.
• Incentives – improved access to direct and indirect incentives are essential to encourage a transition to low-carbon lifestyles – ideally through locally managed schemes (e.g. National Park Authority with delegated allocation of grants to promote and distribute).