Tackling nature and climate crises ‘should be park’s top goal’
Scotland’s national parks should have a stronger mission to rebuild damaged ecosystems and tackle climate change, according to a coalition of the country's leading environmental groups.
The calls come as a new survey reveals around four out of five people believe national parks should be given a new overarching purpose to deliver nature restoration and a just transition to a green society.
The Scottish Government has pledged to create at least one new national park in Scotland by 2026, adding to the two already in existence. A consultation on the plan closes tomorrow.
Existing aims of a national park are to conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the area; push sustainable use of its natural resources; promote understanding and enjoyment, including recreation; and
drive sustainable economic and social development of local communities.
A new poll by Scottish Environment Link, a forum with more than 40 member charities representing a broad spectrum of interests, shows strong public support for a greater focus on caring for the planet and sustainability.
The survey found 78 per cent of the public would support parks being given this refreshed environmental mandate, while only 3 per cent said they would oppose such an approach.
There are 15 national parks dotted across the UK, but just two are in Scotland. Both were created about 20 years ago – the first, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, was set up in 2002, with Cairngorms, the nation’s largest, established a year later.
Now, in response to calls from communities, conservationists and tourism groups, Scottish ministers have committed to establishing “at least one” new national park by spring 2026.
Link members are calling for all national parks in Scotland to take a leadership role in fighting global warming and ecological breakdown.
Deborah Long, Link’s chief officer, said: “It is more than two decades since Scotland’s two national parks were established. Today there is a much greater understanding of the urgency of the environmental crises we face, and it is right that our national parks lead in meeting that challenge."