UK National Parks become first in world to join Race to Zero

Posted on 25 Jul 2024

The UK’s National Parks have become the first in the world to join the UN- backed ‘Race to Zero’ initiative, committing to drive action to halve carbon emissions within their landscapes by 2030 and become significant net carbon sinks by 2050.

National Parks will work with partners to transform an area of land almost four times the size of London (610,000 hectares) into a haven for nature through nature-friendly management across the 15 National Parks, as well as driving significant increases in the use of sustainable travel, renewable energy and sustainably-produced food.

UK National Parks are committed to becoming beacons for a sustainable future, using their partnerships and convening powers to help meet the UK’s climate change commitments while also supporting thriving rural communities, helping to restore Britain’s lost biodiversity, and improving food security.

New report shows the way

A new report published today by Small World Consulting details the current carbon footprint of the UK’s 15 National Parks landscapes and lays out an evidenced path to make the National Parks into net carbon sinks, going from emitting around 11.5 million tonnes of harmful greenhouses gases per year – primarily from energy consumption, visitor travel and agriculture in 2022, to ‘soaking up’ around 3.5 million tonnes instead by 2050 (absorbing roughly around the same amount of carbon per year as 24,000 flights between London and New York.)

By supporting this path, the UK’s National Parks will actively drive towards net zero landscapes by around 2040, meeting the central ambition of the Race to Zero initiative (global net zero emissions by 2050) a decade ‘early’, and becoming significant sources of carbon capture after that point.

This net zero pathway will involve:

  • Restoring nature on a huge scale, increasing the ability of the land to sequester carbon by bringing 610,000 hectares of land into nature- friendly management. This will include:
  • Restoring 168,000 hectares of damaged peatland (7% of all land area within the National Parks).
    • Introducing regenerative agriculture practices to 224,000 hectares of land (10% of all land area within the National Parks).
    • Creating 218,400 hectares of new woodland (9% of all land area within the National Parks).
  • A transition to sustainable and more locally grown food, halving emissions from food eaten in National Parks by 2050.
  • Increasing energy efficiency, reducing energy-related emissions from buildings, transport and industrial processes to near zero by 2050.
  • A transition to sustainable travel to and from National Parks, reducing visitor travel emissions to near zero by 2050.

Published by Small World Consulting, led by world-leading carbon footprinting expert Mike Berners-Lee, the report also shows that changes to reach net zero can deliver a wide range of environmental, economic and social benefits including:

  • increased biodiversity,
  • increased resilience to the effects of flooding, heatwaves and droughts brought about by climate change,
  • increased recreational value in landscapes to offer new sustainable employment opportunities,
  • increased inward investment to support sustainable livelihoods for rural communities,
  • supporting healthier communities and better air quality.

Work underway

There are already a wide range of projects already underway across the National Parks which support the land use changes needed to reach net zero and deliver the accompanying benefits. Here are three examples:

Our Food 1200 (Wales)

A community benefit society in Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park using agroecological techniques to grow fruit and vegetables for local markets.

Wild Strathfillan (Scotland)

A project to restore nature across 50,000 hectares of land in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, incorporating a mix of temperate rainforest, montane scrubland and Caledonian pine forest.

Southwest Peatland Partnership (England)

A project to restore the ecology and hydrology of damaged peatlands across a wide area of upland in southwest England, including Dartmoor National Park, Exmoor National Park and parts of Cornwall.

Stepping up

National Park Authorities will lead the drive towards lower carbon in the protected landscapes, but it will require others to also step up. Today they are calling on:

  • UK and devolved Governments to support UK National Parks as they drive the transition towards a greener, healthier net zero future.
  • Local authorities and others to use their powers and investment in the infrastructure and services needed for net zero transport and energy.
  • Public sector organisations to use their procurement power to buy more sustainably produced local food – supporting local producers in making the shift.
  • Residents and visitors to explore and act on the ways they can tread lightly in these precious landscapes.

Quotes

“UK National Parks were protected as places of recreation and connection with beauty at a time of nation-building after the Second World War. Now the nation needs National Parks to do much more in the face of climate breakdown and faltering nature. We are determined to lead urgent, collaborative and evidence- based action modelling how rural Britain can have a fairer and more secure net zero future.

Richard Leafe, CEO Lake District National Park Authority

“Months and months and months of rain combined with record-breaking temperatures – farmers now live with a climate our grandparents wouldn’t recognise. We know farming must become net zero and that’s why we have started our journey to become carbon neutral which has already benefited the

livestock production, environment and profitability of our farm. We have a golden opportunity here for genuine partnership between National Park Authorities and farmers to work out how to do this together.”

Tim Winder, certified net zero beef farmer based in the Orton Fells, Yorkshire Dales National Park

“National Parks are as vital today as we tackle the urgent issues of dealing with the changing climate and the need for nature recovery as they were 75 years ago when just as now, they were a source of respite and inspiration for everyone. UK National Parks are proud to be joining the global initiative Race to Zero, showcasing our key role in storing carbon in our wonderful landscapes and our determination to work together with farmers, local communities and visitors to shape a sustainable future for all.”

Catherine Mealing-Jones, CEO of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority

“Covering nearly 10% of the UK, National Parks have a very significant role to play in the UK’s path to net zero. Ending reliance on fossil fuels in rural Britain is every bit as important and as challenging as in our towns cities. Alongside that is the imperative to protect precious carbon stores, move to nature-friendly farming, and leave more space for nature.

Race to Zero is a global leadership initiative and UK National Parks are innovating what a fair rural transition looks like that involves local farmers and communities in shaping the solutions and attracting the investment needed.”

Nigel Topping, former UN High Level Climate Champion at COP26, Member of UK Climate Change Committee

“UK National Parks can be exemplars in showing how the UK can reach essential climate and biodiversity goals whilst strengthening food security and enhancing rural livelihoods and communities.”

Mike Berners-Lee, Founder and Director of Small World Consulting

“Reaching net zero, which is crucial for a livable planet for our children and grandchildren, is going to require a team effort. This announcement from all 15 UK National Park Authorities is a significant commitment towards building the society-wide involvement and action we need to get there in a way that brings benefits to people and reduces inequality. 

Race to Zero is a useful, common framework that can support broader climate leadership. An area-based approach is needed across all parts of Wales and the UK, one which includes our businesses and communities as well as public sector organisations.  

How we move around our local area, how we feed ourselves and our families or heat our homes, all have a significant impact on the kind of Wales and world we’ll have in the future. Everyone must be ready to collaborate, in a way that involves a wider range of people in developing solutions that work for now and the future.”

Derek Walker, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales

ENDS

Notes to editors

  • Race to Zero is a global UN-backed initiative which commits non-state actors – such as cities, companies, regions, financial and educational institutions – to take immediate and effective action to halve carbon emissions by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050 at the latest.
  • The UK’s National Parks are the first protected landscapes to join the Race to Zero initiative. Their aim to is to become net zero by 2040 and become significant carbon sinks by 2050.
  • A detailed report published today by Small World Consulting outlines the current carbon footprint of UK National Parks and lays out a plan for achieving the above goals through a combination of energy reduction and land use changes, including specific changes for each of the 15 UK National Parks. A Q&A summarising the background to this 95-page report and its key assertions has been sent alongside this press release. Read the full report here.
  • More case studies of existing work supporting the transition to net zero across the National Parks can be supplied on request.
  • For general facts about the UK’s National Parks, see here.
  • Interviews available with the following national spokespeople:
  • Richard Leafe, CEO Lake District National Park
  • Catherine Mealing-Jones, CEO Bannau Brycheiniog
  • Jayne Butler, Executive Director, National Parks England
  • Local spokespeople available on request
  • Contacts for further information, queries, case studies, pictures and interview requests: