Grant Moir, CEO, Cairngorms National Park Authority
© Cairngorms National Park Authority
Aims for Cairngorms National Park
In 2000, the Scottish Parliament set out four statutory aims for the country's national parks, which we continue to follow. These are:
- Conserve and enhance national culture and heritage
- Promote sustainable use of the natural resources
- Promote understanding and enjoyment of the area by the public
- Promote the sustainable, economic and social development of the Parks communities
With 18,000 residents and around two million annual visitors, it can be a challenge to ensure the National Park continues to achieve its net zero goals.
Snow roads
© North East 250 / Damian Shields
Peatland projects
Peatlands are vital to the environment. When in good condition they store a huge amount of carbon, are home to a variety of specialist plants and animals and help to provide clean drinking water.
In total, degraded peatland accounts for around 10% of Scotland's total carbon emissions; however, by restoring just one hectare of actively eroding peat we can save up to 19 tonnes of CO2 equivalent each year, so the potential impact of this work is enormous.
Between 2014 and 2022 approximately 2,892 hectares of damaged peatlands has been placed under restoration management in the National Park. This will lead to significant emissions reductions, and we have recently adopted a new target of having 38,000ha of peatland under restoration management by 2045.
