News

England’s beautiful National Parks threatened - Statement from National Park Authorities Association

24th May 2007

Climate change means that some of England’s best loved landscapes are set to change. From the uplands of the Lake District and Northumberland, to the lowland heath of the New Forest, and the waterways of the Broads – all the National Parks will be affected from increased risks of fire, flooding or erosion.

The National Park Authorities are working hard to protect these unique areas and have committed to making their own operations carbon neutral by 2012. They are also planning ahead to help these areas adapt to changes that are now inevitable. A stronger collective effort is needed from Government, public agencies and the private sector to reduce carbon emissions, if we are not to lose what makes these places so special.

This is the stark message from a new organisation - ENPAA (the English National Park Authorities Association) which is being launched today, May 24th 2007, on European Day of Parks.
The National Parks are home to stunning scenery, nationally important wildlife sites, and rich archeology and cultural traditions. Rural communities live and breathe the National Parks and contribute to their character, while some 75 million visitors enjoy and appreciate these special areas every year. But they remain fragile environments.

ENPAA aims to ensure the National Park Authorities are supported in their task of protecting and enhancing Britain’s most iconic landscapes, and providing opportunities for people to continue to enjoy their special qualities. For the first time, the nine English National Park Authorities will have a single voice to represent them across a range of important policy issues.

Paul Hamblin, ENPAA’s Director, said:

‘Because of their location, often in upland or coastal environments, the National Parks are in the front line of witnessing the changes brought about by climate change. But they are also key to ensuring people can enjoy holidays in high quality natural environments without jumping on a plane. Increasingly such ‘lower carbon tourism’ won’t be an option but a necessity.’

‘Human activity has always had a strong influence on National Park landscapes, yet the pace and scale of change that climate change could bring represents an unprecedented new challenge.’

Each National Park will be affected in different ways. Every National Park though will experience multiple changes and pressures. Some changes either occurring already, or expected to take place include:

• coastal erosion and inundation – will affect the Broads;
• greater risks of extensive moorland fires – in Dartmoor, the North York Moors and Northumberland;
• increased erosion by changes in rainfall and tourist activity– in the Peak District and Lake District leading to reduced access;
• changing wildlife habitats – in the New Forest and the Yorkshire Dales that could lead to local loss of wildlife species; and
• changes in crops and livestock – in Exmoor that would lead to different farmed landscapes.

National Park Authorities are taking on the challenge of climate change in numerous ways. These include:

• working with farmers and land owners to maintain healthy peat landscapes and soils. In seven of the nine National Parks, peat soils lock up huge reserves of carbon. Preventing their erosion avoids this carbon being released to the atmosphere and adding to climate change;
• working with remote rural communities, tourism and other rural enterprises on ways to reduce energy use, supporting public transport, and approving small scale renewable energy schemes through planning decisions;
• highlighting through school visits, guided walks and exhibitions how climate change will affect National Parks and what people can do to help;
• identifying what actions are needed to allow the National Park to continue to adapt and evolve in ways that respond to inevitable changes brought about by past emissions, whilst retaining their outstanding character; and
• committing to becoming carbon neutral National Park Authorities by 2012 through reducing emissions in their own operations.

Paul Hamblin concluded:

‘National Parks are confronted by many challenges and we are heartened by the messages of support we have received. Thinking of National Parks as isolated islands amongst the countryside will lead to failure – as developments encroach on their boundaries and climate change moves wildlife and habitats. National Parks are used to change. But making sure that change is for the better, that it can be properly managed, and that public benefits are maximised will require all parts of Government to support England’s National Parks.’