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 commitment to tackling climate change through a variety of projects and initiatives, 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 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". Recommendations from this plan will help the Dartmoor National Park Authority shape its response to the dual issue of climate change and sustainability.