Northumberland National Park is a Carbon Credit
To date, over one hundred hectares per year of new native woodland in the National Park has been planted.
The data, ‘CO2 emission estimates, sector and fuel details for the National Parks 2006’, which show that Northumberland National Park accounts for a negative Kilo-tonnage of CO2, are calculated using the same methodology as that used to monitor emissions in local authority areas across the country. The figures do not include carbon that is in progress of being, or is already, locked up in peat.
The results for Northumberland National Park can be attributed to its tranquillity, low population and lack of heavy industry. With a population of less than 2000 people, and an upland landscape of mainly small farms and heather moorland, the Park is officially the most tranquil part of the country according to the CPRE’s tranquillity mapping report (2006) and is the source of four of the country’s most pristine river catchments (Environment Agency 2009).
The National Park Authority is clear that even more can be achieved and has embarked on a drive to create a low carbon National Park that will be a regional and national example.
To date, over one hundred hectares per year (the equivalent of 100 football pitches) of new native woodland has been planted; a major programme of heather moorland management and peat bog restoration is underway; a scheme is being developed with local farms to help the carbon footprint of upland beef and lamb production; sustainable tourism initiatives are being promoted to help reduce the carbon emissions of visitor facilities and visitors; businesses and communities are being supported and encouraged to look at ways of saving and creating energy, and the National Park Authority is working with partners such as ONE Northeast to develop renewable energy initiatives, as well as ensuring that its own carbon footprint is being reduced.
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