Aim for park to achieve net zero by 2045

Plans are in place for the Cairngorms National Park to achieve net zero emissions by 2045 at the latest.

Meeting virtually on Friday, the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) board laid out a timescale for meeting the target.

The board proposed to lead the way in tackling the climate emergency with three clear commitments:

• The park authority will achieve net zero emissions by 2025

• The park authority aims to achieve zero direct emissions by 2030

•The Cairngorms National Park aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2045

Achieving these goals for the Cairngorms National Park as a whole will require close collaboration with a range of stakeholders, from local residents to businesses, land managers and third-sector organisations, alongside the development of a range of affordable green transport, infrastructure and power solutions.

Xander McDade convener of the CNPA said:“This year the world will be looking to Scotland as Glasgow hosts the United Nations COP26 climate summit in November.

“The Cairngorms National Park has a key role to play in the fight to tackle climate change in Scotland through pioneering nature-based solutions, but we are only part of the answer. We will all need to come together to make changes to the way we live, work and enjoy nature.

“Today’s commitment from the Park Authority is a good start, and we are keen to lead by example to help achieve net zero emissions in the national park by 2045 at the latest, but to be successful we will have to work in partnership with our communities, businesses and land owners to achieve this.”

Grant Moir, CEO of the CNPA, added:“The big challenge is to work with people across the National Park to help Scotland deliver on its net-zero targets through peatland restoration, woodland expansion, carbon friendly farming, increasing active travel and many other changes that we will all need to make.”

Environment and climate change secretary Roseanna Cunningham said:“The need to address the global climate emergency has never been greater and we remain wholly committed to ending Scotland’s contribution to climate change by 2045 at the latest.

“I commend the strong and ambitious leadership shown by Cairngorms National Park Authority as it commits to meeting net zero emissions targets, which are central to our green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”