Nature Objectives

A1. Net zero

The climate and nature crisis is the single biggest challenge that we face and it is critical that the Cairngorms National Park – as the largest protected area in the UK – is an exemplar in achieving net zero, developing nature-based solutions and helping Scotland as a whole meet its targets as part of a just transition. 

Image of hand holding Spagnum moss. Photo by Niall Benvie.
Spagnum moss by Niall Benvie

The Park Authority is working with independent experts to establish the National Park’s existing carbon footprint and will use this to present a route map to net zero (and beyond) during 2023. This will present an ambitious but realistic action plan based on the best available evidence, helping us identify and track the key steps we need to take over the coming years. 

Key Objectives and targets

Ensure the Cairngorms National Park reaches net zero as soon as possible and contributes all it can to helping Scotland meet its net zero commitments.

By 2023, establish the timeframe within which the Cairngorms National Park will be net zero and set a target for becoming carbon negative.

Annual independent progress report on net zero for the Cairngorms National Park.

  • Carbon audit and baseline established for the Cairngorms National Park in 2022.
  • Establish a date for the Cairngorms National Park to be net zero and carbon negative by 2023.
  • Establish a Community Climate Action Hub for the National Park.
  • Heritage Horizons: Cairngorms 2030 programme.

All partners.

Facts

0 %
of the UK’s rare and endangered species are found in the Cairngorms
0 %
of the National Park will be managed principally for ecosystem restoration by 2045