Dartmoor joins UN-backed race to zero initiative

Dartmoor National Park has officially joined the UN-backed Race to Zero initiative, a global effort aimed at combating climate change. 

This move positions Dartmoor, along with other UK National Parks, as a leading example of environmental commitment.

In July, the announcement was made that UK National Parks are the first protected landscapes worldwide to engage with the Race to Zero initiative. 

This campaign is designed to accelerate efforts to reduce carbon emissions and achieve net zero targets.

Pamela Woods, Chair of Dartmoor National Park Authority, highlighted the significance of this development. 

She said: “We know how important it is to become net zero which is why Dartmoor was the first National Park in the UK to declare a climate and ecological emergency in 2019 and within months, we’d approved our own Climate Action Plan to get the Authority to net zero.

“Our positive and collaborative approach locally, nationally and internationally shows our determination in ensuring Dartmoor is a place where nature and people can thrive in the future.”

Dartmoor's goals include becoming carbon negative by 2045, with a range of initiatives already in progress. 

These efforts include nature enhancement projects such as peatland restoration, woodland management, natural flood management, and sustainable land management practices.

The Race to Zero initiative calls for cities, companies, regions, and institutions to halve their carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050. 

The UK National Parks aim to reach net zero by 2040 and become significant carbon sinks by 2050.

A detailed report by Small World Consulting outlines the current carbon footprint of the UK's National Parks and provides a strategy for achieving these objectives. 

This plan includes energy reduction measures and land use changes specific to each of the 15 UK National Parks.