Communities are at heart of climate action
July 25, 2024
Communities want to see climate action and be part of the change to help both nature and people.
That’s the message today from the South Downs National Park Authority as the UK’s National Parks become the first in the world to join the UN-backed ‘Race to Zero’ initiative.
The UK’s National Parks have announced today (25 July) that they will work with partners to transform an area of land almost four times the size of London (610,000 hectares) into a haven for nature through nature-friendly management across the 15 National Parks, as well as drive significant increases in the use of sustainable travel, renewable energy and sustainably-produced food.
It comes as a wave of proactive climate work is already well under way in the South Downs, with climate action being led by dozens of local communities, such as in Petersfield, Winchester, Midhurst and the Ouse Valley in East Sussex.
Petersfield Climate Action Network (PeCAN) is one of a number of community groups working hard to support nature and reduce carbon emissions, including helping to make changes to buildings, transport, the natural environment and behaviour. Last winter the group distributed more than 1,000 fruit trees and nearly 3km of hedging plants across East Hampshire, while earlier this month 1,500 people gathered for Petersfield’s second Eco Fair. The charity also organises regular climate-themed mini-conferences at schools. The National Energy Foundation, in partnership with PeCAN and Winchester Action on the Climate Crisis (WinACC), successfully delivered a 30-month-long project, piloting a retrofitting service.
Meanwhile, in the east of the National Park, Ouse Valley Climate Action (OVCA) is celebrating the half-way mark of a three-year project after being awarded £2m from The National Lottery Community Fund to become a pioneer in community climate action. Several thousand people have got involved in activities to help the environment, including helping to protect the river, reducing energy consumption, new community gardens, and promoting cycling for children. Over 800 people have so far been reached with energy efficiency advice.
Greg Ford, Chair of PeCAN, said: “For kids as much as adults, being located in a National Park makes it natural to talk about the environment and climate change. Joining the Race the Zero initiative is great news. There’s so much that people in the South Downs National Park can do – and around here want to do – to help with climate mitigation.”
Tim Slaney, Chief Executive (Interim) of the South Downs National Park Authority, said: “We welcome this major announcement today from National Parks UK and look forward to making a significant contribution to the ‘Race to Zero’ initiative and helping others too.
“Climate change is having a fundamental effect on biodiversity, agriculture, water resources and communities in the South Downs National Park, but together we can make a difference.
“Here in the South Downs we have two key strengths: community action and our ReNature programme. There’s a real concern among our local communities, including young people, farmers, and businesses, about a changing, more unpredictable climate and there’s a genuine desire to do something positive.
“We’ve already seen what the National Park can achieve through nature-based solutions, such as transforming land into nature havens that work alongside food production and act as carbon sinks, as well as our work to plant tens of thousands of trees.
“No single organisation will be able to make a big impact on its own, so we need to work together to deliver large-scale projects and community-based action that empowers local people to get involved. It’s great to see so many local communities in the South Downs already embracing climate action and we look forward to seeing how things progress in the coming years.”
Climate work being delivered by the South Downs National Park Authority alongside partners includes:
- The South Downs National Park already benefits from being the most accessible in the UK, with major bus routes running through the National Park, major train lines connecting to London and the south coast, as well as the biggest rights of way network at 3,300km. Major infrastructure work is connecting the heart of the National Park to urban areas for walkers and cyclists, including the Centurion Way in West Sussex and Egrets Way in East Sussex.
- Over 400 businesses in the National Park are now part of the “Our South Downs” initiative, which focuses on sustainability.
- Helping to support local communities to get involved in climate action, including managing the Ouse Valley Climate Action project.
- A total of 6,082 hectares – an area bigger than Worthing or Portsmouth – has now been created or improved to help nature thrive. The work has included planting almost 50,000 trees, adding over 100 hectares of wildflowers, planting hedges, restoring ponds, and improving rare habitats such as chalk grassland and lowland heath.
Ranger Sophie Brown next to a restored dew pond for wildlife near Arundel - Earlier this year the South Downs National Park became the first in the UK to open up a formal scheme for voluntary biodiversity gain to the private sector.
- Over 500 hectares – equivalent to more than 800 football pitches – of land on farms and country estates across Hampshire and Sussex have already been earmarked for biodiversity restoration through future green finance investment and this will increase carbon storage within the landscape.
- There are now five established Farm Cluster Groups in the National Park. They range in size from 35,000ha to 6000ha, and have between 22 and 45 members. Members work together deliver a joined-up approach to nature conservation across the landscape alongside sustainable farming practices and local food production.
- As part of the Changing Chalk partnership, sustainable food production is being championed by initiatives such as Sussex Grazed.
The National Park has a dedicated Climate Action Hub, including lots of information for community groups and individuals. Visit www.southdowns.gov.uk/climate-action-hub/