Our own carbon reduction

Do as we do!

The Lake District National Park Authority is aiming to become a leader in managing climate change. We are working to reduce our own impact on the environment by cutting our carbon emissions. Once we have a proven track record of reducing CO2 emissions from our own operations we will be in a stronger position to encourage others to do the same.

Latest news:

12 July 2011:

Cycle Challenge 2011

Pedal power is wheeling away here! Since 2007 over 25 per cent of our staff have bought a bike in the Cycle to Work scheme.

This year over 20 per cent of our staff took part in the South Lakes Workplace Cycle Challenge website (opens in new window). This included two members of our Executive Board and people working in Kendal, at Brockhole the Lake District Visitor Centre, and our offices on the slopes of Blencathra.

We cycled over 10,000 miles winning the highest miles overall category. Our ICT Service won the team trips category, cycling a massive 317 trips made over the six week competition. Overall 228 people took part and cycled 52,000 miles.

3 February 2011: National Park is a hero for second year

Fleet Hero Award Winner logo

What is our carbon reduction target?

Our initial target is to reduce CO2 emissions from our operations by 25 per cent by 2012 against 07/08 levels.

There are more details in Lake District National Park Authority Energy Objectives and Commitments (PDF)

What have we done so far?

reduced our CO2 emissions by 11 per cent against 07/08 levels.
appointed a dedicated Carbon Reduction Adviser who maintains our Carbon Management Plan which details the projects we will need to complete to reach our target.
graduated from the Carbon Trust’s Local Authorities Carbon Management Programme in 2009.
signed the Cumbria Climate Change Commitment, to reduce CO2 emissions across the county and the Nottingham Declaration, committing to take urgent and meaningful action to mitigate the effects the organisation has on climate change.
signed up to the 10:10 campaign committing to reduce carbon emissions by 10 per cent in 2010 and taken the Prince’s Trust May Day pledge to take action on climate change.
released annual Energy Objectives and Commitments signed by the Executive Board and Chairman.
installed voltage optimisation at our head office in Kendal and are looking for funding for a biomass boiler. Installed an air source heat pump, together with Thermafleece insulation at Ullswater Information Centre and installed low energy lighting across a number of our sites.
reduced the number of computer servers needed, and replaced individual printers, photocopiers and faxes with single multi-functional devices, reducing power consumption. Moved to low energy computers and installed video conferencing at our Head Office and the Lake District Visitor Centre at Brockhole.
In 2009 we won a national Fleet Heroes award for the Best Public Sector Fleet under 250 vehicles and in 2010 we won the Leadership category.
We have encouraged 77 staff to attend smarter driving training courses resulting in a 16 per cent improvement in miles achieved per gallon.
30 per cent of our staff have joined the Cycle to Work scheme and we are taking part in the Workplace Cycle Challenge in Kendal this summer.
In 2010 we won a North West Climate Leaders Award for our efficiencies through carbon management.

Useful links

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