Climate Change and Sustainabilty

Climate change and sustainability are possibly the biggest issues facing humanity at this time and Dartmoor National Park Authority are working to ensure that these issues are addressed and that practical solutions are developed.
Dartmoor National Park Authority exists to secure, for the public good, the conservation, enhancement, enjoyment and understanding of the special qualities of Dartmoor: its landscape, wildlife and cultural heritage. Our committment to tackling climate change through a variety of projects and intiatives, means we can act as an exemplar to other protected landscapes as well as offer practical solutions and benefits to a wide range of agencies, communities and individuals on Dartmoor and beyond.
Dartmoor National Park Authority also has a duty to seek to foster the economic and social well-being of local communities within the National Park and so we are mindful of the impact of various sustainable initiatives and how they can ensure vibrant and sustainable communities.

Partnership

The key to tackling these issues and looking at solutions is about working in partnership and one such example is our work with the other national parks in looking at what work we must undertake to combat climate change and ensure a sustainable future. The English National Parks Authorities Association (ENPAA) has set out a  vision for future action as well as outlining the wide range of climate change related work that is already happening in National Parks in a climate change statement (External site, opens new window).

Projects

Projects and initiatives to tackle climate change and aid sustainable development that the Dartmoor National Park Authority is involved in or undertaking include:

Dartmoor and Exmoor Low Carbon Festival (05 - 09 October 2011)

The third Dartmoor and Exmoor Low Carbon Festival took place between 05 and 09 October and there were a series of events across both National Parks that highlighted the special qualities of the National Parks and, with practical examples, showed how people can reduce their carbon emissions and adapt to the ever growing pressures on our resources.

It is hoped that there will be a festival in 2012 and if you are interested in running an event or being kept informed please contact the Sustainable Development Officer.

One Planet Dartmoor

Guided by the 10 principles outlined by the World Wildlife Fund’s ‘One Planet Living' (external site, opens in a new window), One Planet Dartmoor is about creating sustainable futures that recognise environmental limits.
To achieve this Dartmoor National Park Authority is gathering information on all the associated climate change and sustainability projects that are happenning on, or that might affect, Dartmoor; sharing this information with relevant parties and developing a vision for how Dartmoor might look under various scenarios.
Furthermore, One Planet Dartmoor, will support a wide range of initiatives that contribute to a low carbon Dartmoor.

Dartmoor Sustainable Development Fund

"Investing in projects that respect the past, improve the present and look to the future"
The Dartmoor Sustainable Development Fund has been set up to encourage innovative sustainable development projects that help to improve the quality of life for current and future generations. The Fund supports proposals that focus on environmental, economic, social and cultural aspects of life.

Dartmoor Mires Project

The Dartmoor Mires project received £1.1m of funding from South West water for a five year project starting in April 2010. The money will be used to fund restoration of some of Dartmoor’s blanket bog, in order to conserve and enhance this crucial habitat for upland wildlife, to improve water quality  and increase the potential of the south west England’s blanket bog to store carbon and hence to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Dartmoor First

Dartmoor First is a Dartmoor Partnership (external site, opens in a new window) initiative managed by the Dartmoor National Park Authority. A self-assessed award it is open to all businesses, communities and individuals on, or associated with, Dartmoor to recognise their commitment to sustaining Dartmoor and its special qualities.

Dartmoor Hill Farm Project

The Dartmoor Hill Farm Project was established in 2003 and its emphasis is on helping farmers with advice, guidance, collaborative activities, communication and funding. Through this project farmers have received farm carbon audits and been given information on what renewable energy schemes they could consider.

Sustainable Communities

Dartmoor National Park Authority offers support for regeneration initiatives, local development trusts, local housing schemes, community facilities and services in ways that support and promote National Park purposes.

Dartmoor Circle 

(external site, opens in a new window)
The Dartmoor Circle is a network of climate change groups around Dartmoor that helps its member groups undertake a series of initiatives to reduce carbon emissions on Dartmoor. The Dartmoor Circle also received funding from the Dartmoor Sustainable Development Fund to write a plan for reducing carbon emissions right across Dartmoor - "A Low Carbon Plan for Dartmoor". Reccomendations from this plan will help the Dartmoor National Park Authority shape its response to the dual issue of climate change and sustainability.