Dartmoor National Park Authority
26 February 2009
Dartmoor National Park Authority
partnership with local car share club and climate action group
 | Dartmoor National Park Authority, Bovey Climate Action and Moorcar, the car share club, have joined together to help reduce the carbon footprint from cars in Bovey Tracey and across Dartmoor. As part of a unique agreement with Dartmoor National Park Authority, Moorcar has based two low emission cars in Bovey Tracey. Dartmoor National Park Authority will use one as a pool vehicle, for staff based at its headquarters in Bovey Tracey during working hours, and Bovey Tracey Moorcar members can use it at other times. The other vehicle will be available for public use 24 hours a day, every day. |
Kevin Bishop, Chief Executive (National Park Officer) Dartmoor National Park Authority said:
‘As an Authority we are working to reduce our carbon emissions and contribute to the social and economic well-being of local communities. The partnership with Moorcar and Bovey Climate Action is a practical example of this and one which we hope will be of benefit to us all: reduced emissions and reduced costs.’
Jeremy Farr the Moorcar co-ordinator said:
‘This is an excellent example of how Moorcar would like to work with other authorities to deliver positive action on carbon reduction. Everyone benefits by sharing cars, saving money and taking advantage of very low emission vehicles. By joining a car club you have access to a car when you need it, and reduce your carbon footprint. No more bills for tax and insurance, breakdown cover, MOT and repairs. You can join for as little as £50 and then you only pay for the hours and miles you drive.’
Moorcar is the first rural-based car share scheme in the UK and has been awarded the Social Enterprise mark, being recognised as an organisation that aims to provide an ethical choice to consumers. Moorcar started in Ashburton in 2002 with one lease car and six members and has received a grant from the National Park Authority's Dartmoor Sustainable Development Fund.
Dartmoor National Park Authority is working with Bovey Climate Action to enhance understanding of climate change issues in the local and wider context. The overall theme is global concern and local understanding. The main emphasis is on explaining how the issues impact on the local environment and how people can still help to mitigate and/or adapt to the consequences of climate change in practical and effective ways. The use of a shared vehicle with residents of Bovey Tracey demonstrates the Authority’s commitment to take practical action to reduce its carbon footprint and shows how collective initiatives can contribute to tackling the challenges of climate change.
Moorcar and Bovey Climate Action are encouraging people who live in or near Bovey Tracey (or any of the other Moorcar towns) to join up and start saving today. The car share scheme will be launched in Bovey Tracey on Saturday 28 February at Bovey Tracey farmers’ market. The cars will be available to view between 9 am and 1 pm.
To find out more about Moorcar, and how to join, call 07753325014 or visit www.moorcar.co.uk (external link, opens new window).
Ends
For further information from Dartmoor National Park Authority
Lorna Brown, Director of Corporate Services
Mike Nendick, Communications Officer
Tel: (01626) 832093
For further information from Moorcar
Jeremy Farr
Tel: 07753325014
www.moorcar.co.uk (external link, opens new window).
For further information from Bovey Climate Action
Cathy King
Tel: 0845 478 6311
www.boveyclimateaction.org.uk (external link, opens new window).
Notes for Editors
The Dartmoor National Park Management Plan 2007-2012 states:
‘At the start of the 21st century Britain is living as if there are three planets of natural resources to be exploited and three planets worth of capacity to absorb CO2. Climate change is a clear and evident consequence, caused by rising levels of CO2 in the atmosphere resulting from the use of fossil fuels. Atmospheric CO2 levels are now higher than at any other time in the last 740,000 years and are around 40% higher than before the industrial revolution. Scientific evidence suggests that we can expect to see warmer, wetter winters, hotter, drier summers and more frequent and extreme weather events, including extensive flooding and high winds in winter. In response there is general acceptance that a twin track approach of mitigation and adaptation measures should be adopted. All decisions that affect Dartmoor will consider the implications of climate change – seeking to minimise the output of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases and make every effort to mitigate or adapt to the effects of climate change in ways that conserve and enhance Dartmoor’s special qualities.’
Bovey Climate Action is a successful and rapidly growing climate change group based in the South Devon town of Bovey Tracey and covering the surrounding area. It raises awareness of climate change issues, promotes actions to address them – such as the Moorcar project – and lobbies for change.
The group is part of the Dartmoor Circle network of climate change groups which has been funded by Dartmoor National Park Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund to write a plan for reducing carbon emissions right across Dartmoor.
There are two cars based in Bovey Tracey, a Honda Civic 1.7 CDTi and a Vauxhall Corsa 1.3 CDTi. The Vauxhall Corsa will be used by Dartmoor National Park Authority during working hours as a pool vehicle and will be available to Bovey Tracey residents through the Moorcar scheme at other times.
Agendas for full Dartmoor National Park Authority meetings and Dartmoor National Park Authority planning meetings are available on the Authority's web site .
You can receive an e-mail notification each time a News Release is issued by the Dartmoor National Park Authority .
News Releases from all UK National Parks (external link, opens new window)
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National Parks cover 10% of the land area of England, Wales and Scotland. They are of special value to the whole nation because of their great beauty, their wildlife and cultural interests and the opportunities they offer for quiet enjoyment. However, they are not nationally owned - the land is in the hands of many landowners or occupiers including farmers. Over 33,500 people live inside the Dartmoor National Park and many millions of visits are made to it each year.
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Page updated 25 February 2009
