WARNING - By their nature, text files cannot include scanned images and tables. The process of converting documents to text only, can cause formatting changes and misinterpretation of the contents can sometimes result. Wherever possible you should refer to the pdf version of this document. CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY Paper 1 20/04/07 CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY DISCUSSION Title: THE ROLE OF THE CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY IN TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE Prepared by: Fiona Chalmers, Integrated Land Management Officer Purpose To stimulate discussion on the role of the CNPA in tackling climate change Recommendations That the Board considers the issues and options set out in this paper, as part of a discussion at the Board meeting on 20 April. Following the loss of the all-day discussion arranged for 23 March, the meeting on 20 April will devote a substantial time slot (about 1.5 hours) to Climate change which will involve a number of short presentations from a range of people currently active on this issue – public and private sector – to set the context for a discussion about CNPA potential involvement. Executive Summary This paper sets out a broad background to the issues and the global need for taking action on climate change within the context of the aims of the National Park and the National Park Plan. It makes the point that such action is rooted in the premise of sustainability and as such underpins all the work of the National Park Authority in delivering the aims of the National Park, and working with partners and communities to achieve the outcomes in the National Park Plan. The paper underlines the fact that many of the outcomes that will be achieved through the seven Priorities for Action over the next five years, will deliver and contribute towards mitigation of and adaptation to the effects of climate change and that in this way the CNPA is already taking action. It also highlights the growing range, complexity and diversity of initiatives that are currently happening in this subject area. It poses the question of whether the CNPA should play in role in aiming to harness, pull together or co-ordinate those initiatives. The paper then proposes some ideas for new initiatives that are not currently identified specifically in the Priorities for Action but could contribute to the outcomes of the National Park Plan. This could be a way for the CNPA to take a proactive approach to the challenge of climate change whist still working within its strategic framework. THE ROLE OF THE CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY IN TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE – FOR DISCUSSION Background 1. Climate change is one of the fastest moving subjects in the current political agenda and has attracted much high profile attention over the past few months. Action for Climate change is commonly seen as comprising two elements: a) Mitigation – stopping further effects by reducing Green House Gas (GHG) emissions through means such as energy efficiency and sustainable (renewable) energy solutions – now being commonly expressed as ‘reducing the carbon footprint’ or a developing a ‘lower carbon economy’, and; b) Adaptation – understanding the processes and changing our lives and practice to prepare for effects of climate change e.g. extreme weather events; higher fossil fuel prices/taxes; changes in the type, availability and price of foods; shifts in employment patterns; shifting dependence on public services; changes in human health profiles; shifts in patterns of economic consumption and production, etc. 2. While the term ‘Climate Change’ may be something that is relatively new, the concept underpinning the changes needed is not. Action on climate change can be meaningfully expressed as living sustainably – i.e., sustainable use of resources and lifestyles that are within the Earth’s limits. The Brundtland Commission report published in 1987 defined sustainable development as: "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." (Our Common Future - the Brundtland Report; UN (WCED); 1987) 3. Sustainability is an explicit part of two of the National Park’s aims – the second “ensure sustainable use of natural resources” and the fourth “to promote sustainable economic and social development of the area’s communities”. It provides a sound reason for concern within the National Park about changes in climate, almost irrespective of the recent scientific debate over whether or not global warming and the change (or predicted change) in our climate is human induced. The National Park and Climate Change 4. Whilst a changing climate over long periods of time is a natural process and has contributed to the habitats, wildlife, geology and soils in the Cairngorms that we all value now, recent evidence from the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC) and the Stern Review that has shown the accelerated rate of change is now a matter of concern and a need for action. There is little doubt that climate change is having an impact on the natural heritage of Cairngorms National Park, particularly the fragile artic alpine communities that depend on winter snow cover and cold temperatures and cannot adapt to the speed of change. The largest area in the UK of these arctic mountain habitats is found within the Cairngorms National Park the likely effects are already being predicted: “Any form of climatic change which involves a general decrease in the amount of snow falling, changes in its persistence and timing, and directional shifts in principal snow-bearing or snow-distributing winds could have a potentially major impact on plant communities at higher elevations in the Scottish Highlands. A future climate in which there is a reduction in the depth and duration of snow cover in the Scottish mountains, while possibly extending the growing season, exposes plants to extremes of temperature and wind abrasion. A more ephemeral winter snow cover could also be detrimental to plant growth, which is stimulated while protected by the cover, but damaged when exposed after snow melt.” Extract From Scottish Executive Report On Climate Change And Changing Snowfall Patterns In Scotland (2001) 5. The RSPB state that “In the Cairngorm mountains of northern Scotland, snow patches which used to lie throughout the year kept the ground wet and rich in insects - a vital food for snow buntings. Now the snow patches are melting due to climate change and the hills are drying up. The snow bunting's future in Britain is under threat.” 6. The Cairngorms have been highlighted in the media, and through scientific studies, as having ‘the most to lose’ in the short term as a result of climate change - the effects are clearly visible here – seen in the impact on the rare arctic-alpine and montane habitats and the wildlife that depends on them. The impact on the social and economic fabric of the park will also be affected through changes to the snow sports and wider tourism industry, higher costs of fossil fuels, shifts in human health profiles, changes in supply-chains for goods, agricultural practices and land use. 7. In terms of adapting to the effects of climate change there will be implications for land management activities and building design, in order to adapt to extreme weather events and flooding. From an economic standpoint the effects on the snow sports industry are already evident and diversifying the experience at the ski centres in the National Park without detriment to the special qualities of their environs, will be the only way they will survive economically. 8. This not only represents a good reason and justification to develop adaptation approaches in land and habitat management and tourism in the short term, but also an opportunity to raise the profile amongst its visitors, businesses and local communities of the need to change our lifestyles to mitigate against future adverse impact of climate change. The CNPA potentially has a role in supporting and develop partnerships for existing and new initiatives that use the concept of conserving this special place as the focus of varied action towards a common goal. 9. Through planning for mitigation and adaptation measures, wider benefits for the National Park could be realised. For example, measures to increase energy efficiency will add to the quality of air and could save costs for individuals and businesses; the development of woodfuel heating systems using local supply chains could create more value for local timber products and local employment; the use of a landscape scale approach to adaptation of extreme weather events and flood alleviation is likely to create biodiversity benefits through habitat creation and increased habitat connectivity. Policy Context - The National Park Plan and Climate Change 10. The National Park Plan is the framework and delivery mechanism for achieving the four aims of the National Park in a co-ordinated and collective way. The concept of sustainable development is at the heart of these aims and is more specifically referred to in the aims “to promote sustainable use of the natural resources of the area” and “To promote sustainable economic and social development of the area’s communities”. Action on climate change then is a key part of the delivery of the National Park Plan and the aims of the National Park. 11. There is an expectation for the Cairngorms National Park to be ‘exemplar’ in sustainable development in developing a ‘World Class National Park’ and our reaction to the challenges of climate change is an opportunity to contribute meeting that expectation. The CNPA has already been working on its own sustainability policies in respect of its day to day operations and business through the actions of the Greening Group. As agreed in the February Board meeting, the Board’s involvement in that and monitoring on the subject of action on climate change will be carried out by the Audit Committee. 12. The National Park Plan identifies climate change as a driver of change; “Changes in climate will continue and will undoubtedly influence the delivery of the National Park Plan over time, influenced by the extent of global carbon emissions. In response to this, the plan includes efforts to adapt to change. These include objectives to develop stronger habitat networks and manage functioning natural floodplains, as well as mitigation efforts to reduce carbon emissions including more sustainable transport, renewable energy, sustainable building design and carbon sequestration in forestry.” (National Park Plan pg 24; Section 3.3 Managing the Park in a Changing Environment) 13. In Section 4 Guiding Principles, the National Park Plan details the context of sustainable development within the National Park: “1. Sustainable Development – A National Park for today and for the future The National Park should be managed in a way that balances the needs of the people living, working and enjoying the Park today with the need to conserve and enhance its natural and cultural resources, to ensure they can continue to be enjoyed by future generations. This can be encouraged by: • Identifying and measuring specific indicators that will monitor the health of the Park’s natural and cultural resources; • Using sound science and information to underpin management; • Taking a proactive approach to mitigating human induced climate change while adapting to the effects of current change.” (National Park Plan pg 27; Section 4. Guiding Principles) 14. Climate change is not singled out as an individual Priority for Action in the National Park Plan as it cuts across all the priorities and lies at the heart of the aims of the National Park, indeed it could be defined as a public benefit of the highest priority to be delivered through the Park Plan. Many of the planned activities within Section 6 - Priorities for Action 2007-2012 are either directly aimed at tackling Climate Change or will directly contribute to it. 15. A role for the CNPA now may be to highlight these planned actions in the light of very recent political and policy changes and focus action towards identified outcomes on mitigation and adaptation. The CNPA is in a position to demonstrate how the National Park Plan makes a contribution to action on climate change. For example, through the development of a sustainable design guide for all new developments within the Park area, there will be a move to exceed the standards set through the emerging building standards, setting minimum sustainability credentials against which all developments will be judged. Through policies contained within the deposit Local Plan there will be a refocus on climate change and renewable energy, with supplementary planning guidance to set parameters and assist prospective applicants in meeting their own requirements while working towards the aims of the Park. 16. The outcomes and actions within the National Park Plan that can most specifically deliver on climate change are listed in Annex 1. However, as Climate Change runs through every action, there may be other practical ways we can contribute. For example, we could look at how our assessment of grant aid for projects reflect a preference for those making a positive contribution to the environment. Mitigation and adaptation measures can also can be built into the CNPA corporate and operational plans. Tackling Climate Change – Taking a Proactive Approach 17. In the UK and Scotland, there has been a strong reaction to the political will to take effective action - some of this has been market led and some public sector led. It is a consequence of how fast this issue has developed that the UK approach to incentives, grants, advice and management action is generally uncoordinated. The Scottish Executive published its policy on climate change “Changing our Ways” last year and this sets a framework for a more co-ordinated approach. 18. The purpose of CNPA is “is to ensure that the National Park aims are collectively achieved in relation to the National Park in a co-ordinated way”. The CNPA arguably has a role to play in harnessing or facilitating greater cooperation between initiatives. This will enhance the effectiveness of work already being undertaken and develop cohesiveness between initiatives. An example of how this approach can be fruitful is the new development of a partnership concordat with Macaulay whereby the CNPA is now a partner in the new climate change team core funded by SEERAD that will enable delivery of research and adaptation outcomes that are specifically tailored to the needs and special qualities of the National Park. A relatively small input for a much larger benefit. The programme has now been extended to cover the whole of the National Park as a result of the partnership. 19. The Board has already recognised the opportunity for the CNPA to use its political position and the support of its partners to influence wider thinking and allocation of resources towards the challenge of tackling climate change. The question remains as to how much of its limited resources the Board wishes to direct to this issue. 20. In responding to the higher national profile for aims on climate change, and notwithstanding the contribution already being made towards the climate change agenda through the Priorities for Action listed in Annex 1, there is scope for the Board to consider other action that complements this and takes advantage of the existing and developing opportunities. However this would require some additional allocation of resources. This potential falls into two broad area for consideration and discussion by the Board: a) Opportunities in Existing And Developing Initiatives, and b) Opportunities for new Initiatives Opportunities in Existing and Developing Initiatives 21. As mentioned previously, there are many initiatives and areas of action already underway either with CNPA support or involvement or independent of the CNPA. These may be being undertaken through local authority, regional or national initiatives. There are opportunities for the CNPA to connect with these, pulling in resources, or developing partnerships that deliver action within the National Park. This will however require additional resources. 22. A few examples of these are: a) HICEC currently a subsidiary of HIE, but will become an independent body in 2007, working with community bodies to reduce their energy demand and substitute fossil-based energy use with renewable energy. HICEC is aiming to widen its role in providing advice to the commercial and, potentially, domestic sectors. Ten projects have already been assisted within the park but HICEC would like to develop this role with the support of the CNPA. b) Aberdeenshire Council Scrutiny and Audit Committee climate change study; an in-depth look at how the council is preparing for climate change, and what it is doing to reduce its causes. Prioritising local woodfuel supply chain and affordable heating would be a clear partnership objective. c) CIFAL – the new United Nations Institute for Training and development at Findhorn, set up to share knowledge and information about sustainable development (and already a partner in one of the Awareness and Pride courses), working together could deliver further joint objectives and enable access to international thinking and resources. d) Energy Savings Trust – national independent advice and source of grants for green energy – this could be promoted more effectively in the National Park and easier access enabled through communication networks. e) New Northern Peripheries Programme Project - Clim-Atic. Led by UHI and looking at developing techniques to help communities adapt to the effects of climate change. The CNPA is contributing to the project’s development f) New Northern Peripheries Programme Project - Micro-Grids. Led by Highland Birchwoods and working with Metla, the Finnish Forest Research Institute to develop mirco-grid wood fuel district heating – a partnership opportunity for international knowledge transfer and potential demonstration of best practice. Opportunities for new Initiatives 23. There are some initiatives that are currently taking shape and may represent a role for the CNPA to help develop the Cairngorms National Park as a place of best practice in sustainable living and resource management: Mitigation – inspiring initial action and providing practical support a) Setting a Goal and Vision for ‘Living Sustainably and Working To Reduce the Carbon Footprint Of The Cairngorms National Park’ and enabling and focussing action and resources towards this. The new Climate Change Bill, if enacted, will require this of society in the near future. The Cairngorms National Park can develop its strategy ahead of this for example by agreeing a target for a specified reduction in GHG emissions and working in collaboration with the other Protected Areas of UK and Europe. i. Measuring and understanding the Carbon Footprint of the Cairngorms National Park. Work is already underway on this as part of a partnership with the Macaulay Institute and the results will be available by June this year. This will give an understanding of the quantity and nature of the Green House Gas emissions within the National Park and a benchmark by which to measure our collective action, no matter how small. ii. Taking and supporting action to minimise the footprint for those living and working in the National Park might mean CNPA working with partners, the Scottish Executive and the private sector to co-ordinate support through levering in additional funds, promoting existing schemes, and helping existing organisations deliver and/or trial their Climate Change aims and actions in the National Park b) Developing practical support schemes for energy efficiency, working with partners and funders to provide grant schemes for practical action such as farm business energy audits, affordable heating though micro-grid district heating, etc. c) Provision of a ‘portal’ or ‘one stop shop’ for communication and advice on Climate Change, one of the causes of confusion for the general public is the plethora unfocussed nature of advice and grants or support for action by individuals and businesses. This will also present a shop window for promoting action taken. d) Developing a ‘National Centre for Climate Change and Sustainable Living’ there is potential for public agencies to lend support to a dedicated centre for information and best practice. The recently developed vision of Cairngorm Mountain as a Centre for the Mountain Environment, and its appropriate location, suggests it could be an inspiring place to learn about the issue of climate change and to stimulate and inspire individual action. This remains only an idea which has not yet been fully explored with potential partners, although some initial reaction has been favourable. e) Community Action – supporting communities to develop their own action on sustainable living e.g. practical support and training information for schemes such as ‘Going Carbon Neutral’. f) Individual action and Education Future development of the John Muir Award+ scheme will raise peoples awareness of their impact on wild places through first hand experiences and enable them to take direct and relevant action to lessen this. Adaptation – demonstrating best practice a) Research and policy –The Macaulay Institute is developing an interdisciplinary team of researchers to address mitigation of and adaptation to climate change in rural areas, and the CNPA is currently negotiating a partnership role in this. The team will work on research to support the development of sustainable rural economies, and will be principally concerned with the identification of practical options that are likely to be adopted and will have a significant effect in reducing GHG emissions, increasing carbon storage or switching to alternative energy systems. New work in the National Park could be centred on land management demonstrations, promoting the results of research and feeding back issues to SEERAD for rural policy development. b) Land Management Demonstrations to show opportunities for diversification and help land managers adapt e.g. wood fuel supply co-operatives, catchment scale natural flood management, small scale renewables on farms c) Biodiversity benefits – encouraging more action on the use of habitat management techniques that to adapt to effects of climate change such as species migration and flooding, e.g. natural floodplain and wetland management, forest habitat networks, riparian woodland expansion that also bring biodiversity benefits Next Steps 24. The discussion on 20th April will provide the opportunity for the Board to get a feel for the work already taking place on climate change, and to give a steer on the extent of CNPA involvement they see as desirable. As a point of principle, having just approved the National Park Plan it seems right to use this as the framework within which we work with our partners. Even without a specific Priority for Action, the Plan still offers a clear focus for a range of work related to climate change mitigation/adaptation. Much of this work is already in the action plan; in addition to this, other work is already taking place (paragraph 22), and further new work is possible (paragraph 23). 25. Any significant effort on coordinating existing work over and above the work being done through the delivery teams (see Board Paper on National Park Adoption and Implementation) will require additional resources. Acting in a central coordinating role to pull together the initiatives set out in paragraph 22 (organising allocation of CNPA grant to support projects, communicating with the outside world, and reporting to the Board) is likely to take 0.5-1.0 FTE. To get more involved in new work along the lines set out in paragraph 23 will take a further 1.0 FTE. It may be that a team of 2 or so individuals drawn from partner bodies on a 2 year secondment could form a Climate Change unit as a focus for work of partners within the National Park. 26. We will have a better idea of possible next steps following completion of the report by Macaulay Institute on the carbon footprint of the National Park. In the meantime the CNPA Audit Committee will (as agreed at the Board meeting on 23 February) oversee work within the CNPA on delivering its internal greening policy, as well as taking regular updates on progress with delivery of actions across the Park. Until we are in a position to allocate more resources, we will continue to service the Audit Committee with 0.3 FTE on climate change issues. Issues for Consideration as part of the discussion on 20 April: a) The National Park plan provides for a range of actions contributing to mitigation of climate change. Is reporting of this through proposed delivery teams and annual reports on National Park Plan delivery sufficient role for CNPA? b) What is the justification for CNPA doing more than this? c) Should CNPA be more proactive in coordinating existing actions and communicating/ presenting these under a climate change heading? d) If CNPA is going to play a more central role in respect of climate change how much resource should it devote to this? Two more FTEs would cost around £100k, together with grant aid for projects of around £30k. This would lead either to an increase in total staff, or to a change in priorities so that we in effect stopped doing some other activity. Fiona Chalmers April 2007 fionachalmers@cairngorms.co.uk Annex 1 – National Park Plan Priorities for Action delivering on climate change 6.1 Conserving and Enhancing Biodiversity and Landscapes Outcomes for 2012 i. There will be enhanced connectivity within habitat networks through practical implementation of a planned, landscape-scale approach, with early emphasis on lowland agricultural habitat networks and forest networks. ii. All the designated nature conservation sites in the Park will be in favourable condition, or under positive management to bring them into favourable condition. This will be enhanced further by the appropriate management of the surrounding land to increase the ecological integrity and viability of these sites. iii. The habitat and water quality of rivers and wetlands will be enhanced through commencement of positive management initiatives guided by catchment management planning. iv. The diversity of rocks, minerals, landforms and soils of international, national and regional value will be safeguarded and more widely appreciated, together with the natural processes underpinning them. ACTION PROGRAMME 2007-2012 Ref / Action 1e Provide guidance on design and encouragement for innovative design to enhance landscapes and townscapes as part of a Sustainable Design Guide. 3a Develop a programme, to be shared between a wide range of bodies, setting out priorities for biodiversity research addressing significant gaps in knowledge of the threats to the ecology and the distribution of priority LBAP species and habitats that prevent effective conservation management. (drawn from Local Biodiversity Action Plan list). 3m Use maps of existing habitat networks to target incentives for enhancing networks through favourable management or new linkages, as a means of improving habitat viability and to make them more able to cope with the impacts of climate change. 3n By agreement with land managers, implement a programme to reinstate selected wetland areas, including a reconnection between sections of rivers and their flood plains, to enhance natural river processes, increase riparian wetlands and reduce catastrophic flood pressures downstream. 3o Identify existing in-stream and bank-side engineering works/structures that are detrimental to river processes, species and habitats, and undertake a prioritised programme to remedy them. 3p Collate and publicise the results of ongoing climate change monitoring and research in the Cairngorms to help increase awareness of this issue and its impacts upon the Park and wider environment. 4d Land management support will be applied to safeguard and protect the geodiversity of the Park and the natural processes underpinning it. 6.2 Integrating Public Support for Land Management Outcomes for 2012 i. A diverse, viable and productive land management sector will continue to provide high quality primary produce such as food and timber, whilst delivering public benefits which are compatible with the Park’s special qualities and will make a growing contribution to employment and the local economy. ACTION PROGRAMME 2007-2012 Ref Action 1a Identify the various public benefits that are priorities in the National Park and tailor public support mechanisms to deliver them. 1c Establish a landscape scale approach to targeting support for public benefits, so that the varying priorities in different parts of the Park are recognised. 1e As part of the landscape scale approach, encourage whole unit and collaborative land management planning in order to realise benefits that are most effectively achieved across neighbouring land holdings, such as habitat connectivity, species management, access and recreation. 1f Establish an effective advisory mechanism to support land managers to deliver priority public benefits. This mechanism will include clear guidance about the priorities and their implementation as appropriate to location and environmental conditions and the provision of training courses to provide support to land managers in delivering the priorities. 1h Work together to monitor the delivery of the priority public benefits by land managers and use this as a basis to feedback and review priorities, the advisory network, unit management plans and practices. 6.3 Supporting Sustainable Deer Management Outcomes for 2012 i. Designated sites will be protected and enhanced and the deer range throughout the Park will be managed to a good environmental standard appropriate to the management unit. This standard will be agreed as an integral part of the deer management planning process. ACTION PROGRAMME 2007-2012 Ref Action 1b Develop and implement an inclusive deer management planning process that underpins a large-scale patchwork of deer densities across the Park to meet a range of natural heritage and socio-economic objectives. 6.4 Providing High Quality Opportunities for Outdoor Access Outcomes for 2012 i. There will be more effective connections between public transport and places with outdoor access opportunities. ii. There will be locally based healthy walking groups throughout the National Park and active promotion of outdoor activity by health professionals in order to contribute positively to the physical, mental and social health of residents and visitors. ACTION PROGRAMME 2007-2012 Ref Action 1i Provide more cycling opportunities through provision of off-road facilities, removal of unnecessary barriers and by developing specific marketing initiatives. 1k Improve availability and use of functional walking and cycling routes, especially near schools and work places. 2k Promote the policy on car-park charging in the National Park and encourage its adoption by land managers. 3a Develop and promote a hierarchy of visitor information about outdoor access opportunities – with general information about opportunities at Park-wide level and more specific information available about opportunities in parts of the National Park. 3d Promote awareness and encourage use of shorter or easier outdoor access opportunities, especially around communities, within the National Park. 3e Specifically market the outdoor access opportunities that have good links to public transport. 4a Identify and address gaps in public transport provision in the Park. 4b Work towards universal cycle carriage and provision for other outdoor recreation equipment such as skis, snowboards and rucksacks on public transport and greater use of environmentally friendly fuel options. 4c Promote better provision of public transport to link with popular start and finish points for outdoor recreation routes. 4d Develop more integrated ticketing between different transport modes in association with activity/visitor attractions. 4e Provide more safe routes to school in communities. 4f Identity roads with low traffic volume and associated off-road routes and promote them to residents and visitors for both recreational and functional use. 4g Manage car parks, through both charging regimes and provision of information, to encourage longer stays and to fit with other more sustainable modes of transport. 6.5 Making Tourism and Business More Sustainable Outcomes for 2012 i. A greater percentage of visitors will contribute to the conservation and enhancement of the Park. ii. A greater percentage of businesses will meet the quality standards and environmental management criteria of the Park brand and achieve commercial advantage through its use. iii. There will be an increase in use of local suppliers and produce. ACTION PROGRAMME 2007-2012 Ref Action 1d Explore opportunities for getting a range of people involved in understanding and contributing to enhancement of the special qualities of the Park through visitor payback. 1e Develop stronger links between tourism and transport, land management, food and drink, retail and other key sectors. 2a Promote economic opportunities created by National Park status and ensure expert advice is available in relation to sustainable development. 2b Increase use of environmental management plans and accreditation by businesses. 2c Strengthen awareness and spending on local crafts and produce by carrying out research on producers, branding and visitor information. 2h Provide more advice and support for business development, including the marketing and processing of primary produce and add further value through appropriate use of the Cairngorms brand. 2i Develop innovative schemes to assist land management units develop their economic and environmental sustainability. 3d Make information on specific resource protection issues available to managers and users. 6.6 Making Housing More Affordable and Sustainable Outcomes for 2012 i. New housing will be of a more sustainable design. ACTION PROGRAMME 2007-2012 Ref Action 3a Prepare a sustainable design guide to encourage new development and infrastructure to complement the built and landscape character of the Park and meet high standards of energy efficiency and sustainable design. 3b Introduce a programme of innovative activities to promote and increase awareness and understanding of sustainable and energy efficient design. 3c Introduce measures to improve house condition and management practices. 6.7 Raising Awareness and Understanding of the Park Outcomes for 2012 i. Residents and visitors will appreciate the special qualities of the Park and understand more about their special management needs. ii. There will be more opportunities for people to become practically involved in caring for the Park and its special qualities. iii. There will be more opportunities to learn about and enjoy the Park and its special qualities – especially for young people, people with disabilities and people on low incomes. iv. There will be more comprehensive and detailed information about the special qualities available in order to provide a better basis for conserving and enhancing them in the future. ACTION PROGRAMME 2007-2012 Ref Action 2f Identify and promote a suite of themes to be integrated with the Interpretation Framework which will best exemplify, allow access to and interpret the influence of man on the National Park. 3d Extend the use of the John Muir Award to encourage more people to experience a sense of wildness in the Park and to share their experiences. 3h Develop an outreach programme of activity that encourages people throughout Scotland, regardless of age or background, to engage with the National Park. 3i Make greater use of the formal education sector and the ‘Curriculum for Excellence’ and other mechanisms as a path to enthusing Scotland’s young people about the Cairngorms National Park and involving them in its future development. 6b Promote the Park as a case study and pilot area for research and educational projects and as a destination for visiting special interest groups. 6c Understand more about the special qualities of the Park and how these are valued and share information about the special qualities between public bodies, land managers, businesses, communities and others with an interest. 6d Find new ways to make the information, data and collective knowledge about the Park available for everyone to use.