Green Park
More than 40% of the UK’s CO2 emissions result from the choices we make as individuals, we can take action on this global issue by reducing our own CO2 emissions.
National Park leads on going Green
Alison Blair, visitor centre manager with Green Tourism Gold
Northumberland National Park staff were celebrating recently as they learned that two more of their award-winning visitor centres, at Rothbury and Ingram in the Breamish Valley, had achieved the Gold Green Tourism Business Scheme standard for the sustainable way they operate. They join the National Park Centre at Once Brewed that achieved Gold last year.
The awards bring the National Park a step closer to becoming the low carbon role model for businesses and domestic premises in the area that it has committed to in its recent Management Plan, launched in October. The National Park Authority is modifying its buildings, staff working practices and operations in a bid to reduce its own carbon footprint by 20 per cent in the next three years. It will also take an active role in encouraging others to improve their carbon consciousness.
As well as the rigorous changes in behaviour and continuous improvement demanded by the Green Tourism Business Scheme, such as energy saving, eco-friendliness and local purchasing, the Authority is also trying out new energy saving techniques and testing renewable technologies so that it can better advise the communities and businesses that it supports with grants.
This year, two of the visitor centres have had old night-storage heating units replaced with modern, state-of-the-art air source heat pump heating systems (CoP efficiency rating of 3.7) – a low wattage air conditioning system which works like a fridge in reverse – which will reduce the carbon emissions associated with heating these buildings by 400% and save over £3,000 in energy costs! The heat pumps have been funded by the Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnership through its Climate Change Best Practice Project, one of the aims of which is to spread climate change innovation and best practice between north east local authorities and the region’s Fire and Rescue Services.
Climate Change champion and the Green Team
Robert Mayhew, Programmes Manager, heads the drive towards a green park
Robert Mayhew, Programmes Manager, is heading the drive towards a low carbon future for the National Park and has assembled a Green Team to help. As well as a mission to reduce the Authority’s carbon footprint, they are researching and testing innovative methods of saving and creating energy efficiently, and finding out the contacts and support available so that we can help reduce the risk and effort for communities as they change their ways. Read more about climate change policy in the National Park or contact our Community Enterprise and Farming Advisory teams with your questions.
National Park bids to drive forward a low carbon rural economy
Solar roof cellsNorthumberland National Park is bidding to help rural businesses and communities in and around its borders to move towards greener sources of energy. The ambitious £15m plan - ‘A Strategic Action Plan for a Low Carbon National Park in the North East of England’, aims to create and safeguard some 500 jobs in the rural economy, support 200 businesses and boost the Region’s leading renewable energy businesses.
The National Park Authority committed in its Management Plan to making renewables the dominant source of energy for businesses and communities in the National Park using the area’s renewable natural resources. By working closely with regional businesses and communities the National Park aims to:
Electric car charging point
- Harness the natural supply of fast flowing water from the hills to provide cheap and renewable energy for upland farms;
- Create renewable energy solutions with real and immediate social impacts using local wood to help heat and power the communities in fuel poverty in our Region’s deep rural areas;
- Produce real-on-the-ground training apprenticeships for people wishing to work in businesses which design, build and maintain renewable energy, and
- Inspire people to visit the Park using electric vehicles including eye-catching promotion of electric vehicles along Hadrian’s Wall;
- Be a role model and mentor to rural communities in the region.
The low carbon action plan will reinforce the Authority’s existing programmes to address the challenge of climate change, encourage sustainable tourism and traditional farming and contribute to delivery of the climate change strategy being led in North East England by Climate NE.
A three point plug for a low carbon future
There's no doubt in our minds that business as usual is not an option. There are challenges ahead and we must all play our part. But it's not all doom and gloom because there is lots of support and information available.
Here are some tips and useful links to help you work towards a safe, prosperous, low carbon future. Start by saving money (1), and practising good habits (2), after that it's time to look at new ways to create heat and power (3).
1. Save energy and reduce waste ACT on CO2
- Get an energy monitor for your home or business
- Insulate and switch off Warm Zones
- Do more things with one car journey or use public transport or a bike Why Cycle? Traveline Route Planner
- Buy local or grow your own
2. Re-use and recycle Resource Network North East
- Compost your food waste
- Buy second hand
- Recycle your cast offs
3. Create energy efficiently Energy Saving Trust
