221125CNPABdPaper3FutureofNationalParksStrategyConsultationReportFinal

This document contains a submission from the Cairngorms National Park Authority, dated 25 November 2022, in response to a NatureScot consultation on the future direction of National Parks in Scotland. The Park Authority believes that any overarching purpose should be set in policy rather than legislation and they think the current aims of National Parks should be modernised to include a reference to nature recovery and the climate crisis. The Park Authority suggests that 'greater weight' should be formally defined in the national policy statement and guidance given about how that approach should be applied within a Park. Other topics discussed are the need for well-regulated green finance, and the importance of governance for each National Park Authority based on local circumstances. The Board are asked to approve the Park Authority's response to the Future of National Parks in Scotland consultation.