Lake District National Park Authority
Managing Climate Change
MANAGING CLIMATE CHANGE
THE LAKE DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY’S
ACTION PLAN
February 2008
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Lake District National Park Authority
Managing Climate Change
Summary
In June 2007 the National Park Authority signed the Nottingham Declaration
(Annex 1). In September 2007 we endorsed the North West Climate Change
Charter (Annex 2). This signalled our commitment to a leading and ambitious
stance in managing climate change locally and regionally. We are committed to
urgent and meaningful action.
This plan sets out the approach we will adopt. It describes:
 The Context for our intentions and action;
 Our Objectives;
 Our Partnerships to optimise our effectiveness;
 Our Priorities for action and targets;
 Our Business Plan Commitments; and
 A detailed timetable of intended Actions (Annex 3).
The Context
The Vision for the National Park is that it will be an inspirational example of
sustainable development in action. The principles of sustainable development are
inextricably linked to climate change. By committing to the long term Vision we
must sustain our commitment to managing the impacts of climate change.
Objectives
These are to:
 Revise our management and development policies to reflect the
reality of climate change.
 Adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change for people and
wildlife; and
 Raise awareness about climate change and encourage learning. In
particular:
o current and emerging knowledge about climate change;
o the options and the importance of flexible policy approaches in
responding to change;
o the implications of action and inaction, including visualising new
landscapes; and
o appropriate actions that make National Parks more resilient to
the effects of climate change.
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Lake District National Park Authority
Managing Climate Change
Working in Partnership
We can maximize our impact by working in partnership. We will ensure our
actions are consistent with and complementary to the Cumbria Strategic
Partnership’s emerging Climate Change Strategy and the North West Climate
Change Action Plan.
Our Priorities for action and targets
Our priorities lie in three areas:

The National Park Management Plan and Local Development
Framework Policy Review. By 2010, we will have created, through
consultation, a new range of strategic policies which will:
o support adaptation of the landscape in specific areas;
o encourage the highest environmental performance within all new
development. For example, we want to be:
 a leading planning authority in climate-proofing our
development control policies; and
 an advocate and exemplar of low and zero carbon
development;
o support development and management to sustain communities
living and working within the National Park.

Our Property Management Strategy. This will provide the context for our
internal environmental performance policies and actions, relating in
particular to managing our premises and property estate. By 2012, we will
be a carbon neutral organisation.

Learning and Engagement. We have a critical and potent role in raising
awareness and generating action to manage climate change.
o By 2009, we will be recognised as a leading force in Cumbria on
climate change, specifically for our role in promoting best practice
and learning;
o By 2010, we will be recognised nationally as a leading force, with
other National Park Authorities, on managing climate change.
February 2008
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Lake District National Park Authority
Managing Climate Change
Our Business Plan Commitments
In November 2007, we refreshed our Business Plan 2006-2009 to reflect our
commitment to action in two specific areas.
Outcome 3 Contributing to world class visitor experiences
We want to reflect the outcome in the Vision for the National Park that, in 25
years, there will be high quality and unique experiences for visitors within a
stunning and globally significant landscape. Experiences that compete with the
best in the international market.
Our prioritised delivery aims for the next three years to contribute to this outcome
include a commitment to engender local pride and responsibility, securing the
long-term sustainability of the special qualities of the National Park.
We will ensure coordinated action with partners to address climate change
through transport management. To do that, by March 2009, we will adopt an
integrated sustainable traffic and travel strategy, to help reduce carbon emissions
by encouraging people to walk, cycle, take public transport and travel using other
sustainable options.
Outcome 6 Managing Climate Change
We want to reflect the outcome in the Vision for the National Park is that, in 25
years, the Lake District National Park Authority will have positioned itself as a
leader in managing climate change and worked with a range of partners to cut
carbon, anticipate the effects of climate change and implement effective
adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Our prioritised delivery aim for the next three years to contribute to this outcome
include a commitment to assess the impacts of climate change, prepare
coordinated action plans and take urgent and continuing action to implement
those action plans.
Table 1 below summarises our targets, planned activities and intended
completion dates.
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Lake District National Park Authority
Managing Climate Change
Table 1
Our targets
Ref
Our activities
Complete
Ensure coordinated action
with partners to address
climate change
16.1A
Establish an integrated Climate Change action plan
January 2008
Reduction of the
Authority’s carbon
emissions
16.2A
16.2B
16.2C
16.2D
Calculate carbon footprint in association with the Carbon Trust
Develop carbon reduction action plan
Implement carbon reduction programme
Become a carbon neutral organisation by 2012
November 2007
April 2008
December 2008
March 2012
Assist individuals,
communities and
businesses to reduce their
carbon footprint
16.3A
Conduct research with partners to form evidence base for the
National Park Management Plan and Local Development
Framework policies
September 2008
Mitigate and optimise the
effects of climate change
on the economy, local
communities, visitors and
the landscape
16.4A
Carry out research with partners to inform the development of
landscapes that are adaptable to climate change
Support and develop with partners, incentives that mitigate the
negative effects of climate change or optimise opportunities for
positive change
Investigate the viability of a ‘climate contribution fund’
March 2009
16.4B
16.4C
Other key external links
Cumbria Strategic Partnership
North West Climate Change Partnership
February 2008
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March 2009
March 2008
Lake District National Park Authority
Managing Climate Change
We acknowledge that
• Evidence shows that climate change is occurring.
• Climate change will continue to have far reaching effects on the UK's people and places, economy, society and
environment.
We welcome the
• Social, economic and environmental benefits which come from combating climate change.
• Emissions targets agreed by central government and the programme for delivering change, as set out in the UK
Climate Change Programme.
• Opportunity for local government to lead the response at a local level, encouraging and helping local residents, local
businesses and other organisations - to reduce their energy costs, to reduce congestion, to adapt to the impacts of
climate change, to improve the local environment and to deal with fuel poverty in our communities.
• Endorsement of this declaration by central government.
We commit our Council from this date 29 June 2007 to
• Work with central government to contribute, at a local level, to the delivery of the UK Climate Change Programme,
the Kyoto Protocol and the target for carbon dioxide reduction by 2010.
• Participate in local and regional networks for support.
• Within the next two years develop plans with our partners and local communities to progressively address the
causes and the impacts of climate change, according to our local priorities, securing maximum benefit for our
communities.
• Publicly declare, within appropriate plans and strategies, the commitment to achieve a significant reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions from our own authority's operations, especially energy sourcing and use, travel and
transport, waste production and disposal and the purchasing of goods and services.
• Assess the risk associated with climate change and the implications for our services and our communities of climate
change impacts and adapt accordingly.
• Encourage all sectors in our local community to take the opportunity to adapt to the impacts of climate change, to
reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions and to make public their commitment to action.
• Monitor the progress of our plans against the actions needed and publish the result.
The Lake District National Park Authority
acknowledges the increasing impact that climate change will have on our community during the 21st century and
commits to tackling the causes and effects of a changing climate on our city/county/borough/district.
DavidFebruary
Thornton2008
Richard Leafe
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Lake District National Park Authority
Managing Climate Change
The NorthWest Climate Change Charter
The England’s Northwest Climate Change Charter is a major initiative,
spearheaded by Lord Thomas of Macclesfield CBE and Sustainability
Northwest, to get Northwest organisations to commit to tackle climate change.
By signing up to the Charter, our organisation:
Acknowledges:
That climate change will profoundly influence the environmental, social and
economic conditions in the Northwest of England and will continue to be a
critical factor throughout the 21st Century. We have a responsibility to lessen
the destructive effects of this phenomenon, in the interests of our own
organization and the region.
Commits to:
•
•
•
•
Taking action to mitigate and adapt to climate change
Acknowledging that action needs to take place at all levels – global,
international, European, national, regional and locally
Helping the region to achieve the national goal of reducing CO2 by
60% by 2050 (based on 1990 levels)
Supporting better ways to co-ordinate action on climate change across
the region
Agrees to take on the climate change challenge by:
•
•
•
•
Putting climate change at the heart of our internal decision-making
process
Taking all practical steps to limit CO2 emissions and responding to the
challenges posed by the impacts of climate change
Setting up organisation-wide and effective CO2 measurement and
monitoring arrangements and comparing our results with appropriate
benchmarks
Working with others to communicate our progress and successes and
encourage others to take action to ensure that England’s Northwest
becomes a champion for climate change activity.
Richard Leafe
Chief Executive
Lake District National Park Authority
September 2007
February 2008
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Lake District National Park Authority
Managing Climate Change
February 2008
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Lake District National Park Authority
Managing Climate Change
V 6.0
LAKE DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION PLAN
Action Plan
Component and
Work Package
Manager
1. Governance
Work Package
1.1 Establish Project
Board and supporting
advisory group
Key Actions
Responsible
Officer
Timescale
Work
package
written
and
authorised
1.1.1 Hold meetings to review implementation
of the Action Plan
Director of Park
Services
Quarterly
n/a
1.1.2 Issue Minutes to Board and steering
group members
Director of Park
Services
Within a
week of the
meeting
n/a
1.1.3 Senior Responsible Owner to act as
champion for overseeing implementation
Director of Park
Services
Dec-07
1.2.1 Authority recommended to nominate
Vision Overview Working Group
Director of Park
Services
Dec-07
18-Jan08
RAG
Status
Black
Black
Black
1.2 Identify the lead
working group that will
ensure climate change
is at the heart of
Authority decision
making
1.3 Establish an
integrated Climate
Change Action Plan
n/a
Black
1.3.1 Conclude work of Task and Finish Group
by preparing draft Action Plan to present to
Authority in December 2007
Director of Park
Services
Dec-07
n/a
Black
February 2008
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Lake District National Park Authority
Managing Climate Change
1.3.2 Review LDNPA climate change action
plan once Cumbria Climate Change Action
Plan is produced
Action Plan
Component and
Work Package
Manager
2. Adaptation and
Mitigation
Work Package
2.1 Research and
Monitoring
Key Actions
Director of Park
Services
Apr-08
Green
Responsible
Officer
Timescale
Work
package
written
and
authorised
2.1.1 Adaptation Strategy: Identify and
prioritise options for joint research with key
partners and academic institutions.
Head of
Environment and
Heritage
Jul-08
2.1.2 Mitigation Strategy: Identify and prioritise
options for joint research with key partners and
academic institutions.
Head of
Environment and
Heritage
Jul-08
2.1.3 With the Cumbria Strategic Partnership
identify the biggest CO2 emitters in Cumbria
and the National Park and the most carbon
neutral developments as a basis for dialogue
and partnership.
Director of Park
Services
Sep-08
n/a
2.1.4 With partners, develop and agree
indicators to measure change and monitor the
effectiveness of management and
development policies
Head of Strategy
and Improvement
Feb-08
n/a
RAG
Status
Green
Green
Green
Green
February 2008
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Lake District National Park Authority
Managing Climate Change
2.2 Policy and
management plan
reviews based on
research and monitoring
2.2.1 Interpret research and monitoring
information and develop detailed policies in the
Local Development Framework and National
Park Management Plan.
Head of Plans
and
Communications
01/06/2009.
Intermediate
deadline for
consultation
on Preferred
Options
June 2008
2.2.2 Investigate the viability of a climate
contribution fund for the National Park.
Head of Strategy
and Improvement
Mar-08
2.2.3 Develop a micro-renewable energy
strategy for the National Park
Head of Plans
and
Communications
Responsible
Officer
Sep-09
n/a
Green
Green
Action Plan
Component and
Work Package
Manager
Work Package
2.3 Seek a shared
Framework for Action
by the Lake District
National Park
Partnership
Key Actions
2.3.1 Prepare report to the Partnership on
LDNPA Action Plan and scope for a shared
approach
Director of Park
Services
Timescale
Apr-08
Work
package
written
and
authorised
Green
RAG
Status
n/a
Green
3. Reducing our
own impact
February 2008
3.1 Action
3.1.1 Incorporate explicit policies and actions in
the Property Management Strategy that reduce
the carbon impact of our property and adapt
our properties in preparation for climate
change.
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Head of Property
Services
Mar-08
Green
Lake District National Park Authority
Managing Climate Change
3.2 Initiate audits of
energy use
Action Plan
Component and
Work Package
Manager
February 2008
Work Package
3.1.2 Develop carbon reduction strategy for the
Authority
Head of Strategy
and Improvement
Apr-08
3.1.3a Commence implementation of a carbon
reduction programme for the Authority
Head of Property
Services
Apr-08
3.1.3b Develop and implement a green travel
plan for Lake District National Park Authority
employees, members and volunteers
Director of Park
Services
Jul-08
3.1.3c Review and implement Procurement
Policy to reduce the impact of our purchasing
decisions on climate change
Head of Strategy
and Improvement
3.2.1 Commission Carbon Trust Audit of
premises
Director of Park
Services
Sep-07
3.2.2 Calculate carbon footprint in association
with Carbon Trust
Head of Strategy
and Improvement
Nov-07
3.2.3 Commission Energy Saving Trust Audit
vehicle fleet.
Field Team
Leader (south)
Feb-08
3.2.4 Benchmark fleet and travel performance
against other National Park Authorities and
other local authorities in the NW region.
Access and
Recreation
Adviser (north)
Feb-08
Key Actions
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Green
Green
Green
Mar-08
Green
Responsible
Officer
Black
Black
Green
Green
Timescale
Work
package
written
and
authorised
RAG
Status
Lake District National Park Authority
Managing Climate Change
4.
Communicating
and encouraging
learning, action
and engagement
4.1 Promotion
4.1.1 Sign the Nottingham Declaration on
Climate Change
Jun-07
Black
4.2 Support change in
behaviour and action
4.1.2 Sign the North West Climate Change
Charter
Chief Executive
4.1.3 Allocate resources from our Sustainable
Development Fund to support the delivery of
targets and identify other funding sources
Community
Enabler
4.2.1 Integrate climate change issues into
Education and Learning service
Head of Plans
and
Communications
Learning
Coordinator
4.2.2 Review our activities to promote learning
about climate change and establish targets for
these activities with:
Sep-07
Black
Apr-08
Green
Jun-08
Green
Apr-08
Green

young people 

our biggest CO2 emitters
Green

local communities
Green

visitors
Green
Green
4.2.3 All Services promoting the most up-todate information
4.2.4 In the light of research findings (Actions
2.1.1 and 2.1.2), support and develop with
partners, incentives that adapt to or mitigate
the negative effects of climate change and
optimise opportunities for positive change.
February 2008
Chairman/ Chief
Executive
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Head of Plans
and
Communications
Head of
Environment and
Heritage
Dec-07
Amber
Mar-09
Green
Lake District National Park Authority
Managing Climate Change
4.2.5 Commission Low Carbon Lake District
study and conference
Action Plan
Component and
Work Package
Manager
Work Package
4.3 Communication
4.4 Internal learning and
development
February 2008
Director of Park
Services
Jun-08
Green
Key Actions
Responsible
Officer
4.3.1 Ensure our role and activities in climate
change are clearly communicated to all staff,
members and partners.
4.3.2 Explore how we integrate the climate
change agenda into our organisation’s
communications strategy to illustrate the
benefits for the landscape, economy and
communities.
4.3.3 Report annually on the state of the
National Park Authority in terms of CO2
emissions and achievements through activities
and projects (including the Sustainable
Development Fund)
4.3.4 Work with ENPAA to publicise action and
incorporate our work into national agendas
including on flooding, fire risk and protecting
sources of carbon.
Head of Plans
and
Communications
Head of Plans
and
Communications
Dec-07
Head of Strategy
and Improvement
Jul-08
4.4.1 Incorporate climate change management
awareness in staff induction and development
programmes
Head of Human
Resources
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Timescale
Work
package
written
and
authorised
RAG
Status
Amber
Mar-08
Green
Green
Chief Executive
Jan-08
Green
Jul-08
Green
Lake District National Park Authority
Managing Climate Change
February 2008
4.4.2 Incorporate climate change management
awareness in member induction and
development programmes
Head of Human
Resources
4.4.3 Incorporate climate change management
awareness in volunteer induction and
development programmes
Head of Human
Resources
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Jul-08
Green
Jul-08
Green