Help tackle climate change

It's easy to feel powerless when faced with the enormity of climate change. That's one of the reasons we created Cairngorms 2030 programme, with the aim of becoming the first national park in the UK to reach - and indeed go beyond - net zero carbon emissions. 

That programme, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, is putting the power to tackle the nature and climate crisis in the hands of the people that live, visit and work in the Cairngorms National Park. In part, we hope to achieve this through 20 groundbreaking projects and working with over 70 local and national partners - you can read more about those by following the links below. 

But that is only part of the story. According to independent Climate Change Committee, over 60% of the changes needed for Scotland to reach net zero require people to change their habits. That's all of us. And when you consider that the footprint of the average Cairngorms resident is estimated to be around 17% higher than the UK average, this has never been more urgent. 

From thinking about the energy efficiency of our homes to changing the way we travel, there are lots of practical steps we can all take that collectively would make a huge difference. We've included a list of simple actions below as a place to start. Even doing one or two will help safeguard the future of this amazing place, especially if you tell others about it and get them to do the same. 

Five ways you can make a difference

Tackling the nature and climate crisis doesn't always mean grand gestures. There are lots of simple, practical ways you can play your part without breaking the bank. We've compiled a few ideas below to get you started but plenty of other resources and guides are available, including the Scottish Government's Net Zero Nation website.

1. Make your home more energy efficient 

Nearly 20% of Scotland's carbon emissions comes from heating our homes. However, there are ways to reduce this considerably. Did you know, for example, that turning your thermostat down by just one degree could save around £60 a year and reduce emissions by 312kg CO2 per year? Or that fitting an insulating jacket around your hot water cylinder could save you £40 a year and save 160kg of CO2 per year? 

Other top tips include replacing your shower head with a water-efficient one to reduce the amount of water (and heating) you use, fitting draught excluders to doors and windows, turning your appliances off standby mode, and switching to a renewable energy supplier. Support schemes are also available to help you make bigger changes too, including fitting more modern insulation or installing a heat pump or solar panels. 

The Energy Saving Trust offers a range of advice for individuals and businesses to reduce their emissions, including how to access financial support for measures such as insulation, heat pumps and solar.

2. Buy less, waste less

Whilst recycling is important, what would make an even bigger difference is if we all bought slightly less - particularly brand new items - and found ways to avoid throwing things away. Around 80% of our carbon footprint comes from the goods, materials and services we use and produce, with the average person using a staggering 19.3 tonnes of resources per year (well above the 6-8 tonnes considered to be sustainable).

There are plenty of quick wins: buy items with less packaging, reuse food containers instead of using cling film or foil, try buying second hand before you buy new, and plan your meals ahead to reduce food waste. Doing just the last item on this list could save the average Scottish household up to £440 per year. 

The Net Zero Nation website and Zero Waste Scotland have loads of top tips on how to buy and waste less, from reducing textile waste to buying a refurbished phone. 

3. Travel less by car

Over 90% of journeys by residents and visitors in the National Park take place by private car. The reasons for this are obvious - convenience, distance, lack of alternatives - but when you consider that nearly one fifth of Cairngorms residents' and visitors' carbon emissions come from this one source, even a small shift could make a big difference. 

As part of Cairngorms 2030, we are investing significantly in a programme of works to transform the way people get around the National Park, from creating improved walking and cycling routes to investing in sustainable public transport. But this only works if people take the plunge and give an alternative a try. 

From free bus travel for those aged 22 and under to ideas for car sharing, cycle hire schemes and supporting your local high street, check out the Net Zero Nation website. If you are planning a visit to the Cairngorms National Park, consider using the East Coast Main Line or bus providers to get here, even if you need to hire a car or take a taxi to some of the harder-to-reach locations. Replacing car journeys with public transport can help reduce CO2 emissions by 42% if using the bus and 73% if travelling by train, so switching even a few journeys all adds up. 

4. Make space for nature

Chances are you've heard a lot about the climate crisis, but what's less well known is that Scotland's nature - including that of the National Park - is facing real challenges. NatureScot reports that there has been a 25% decline in Scotland's species over the past five decades, so we all need to do our bit to protect the more than 90,000 different plant and animal species that call Scotland home. 

Our National Park Partnership Plan sets out a range of objectives to protect nature here in the National Park. However, there are lots of things we as individuals can do to help support this. If you have a garden or even a spare window, installing a bird feeder can encourage a wide range of birds into your area. Starting a mini herb garden using a few pots outside your front or back door will support pollinating insects. Leaving your garden slightly untidy, for example by not raking up leaves, can provide shelter for hedgehogs and other animals. And if you have even a small patch of space, consider creating a pond or area of water (even an old washing up bowl will do) to attract damsel and dragonflies, frogs and newts.

5. Become a greener business

If you've been thinking of reducing your business' carbon footprint for a while but haven't known where to start, help is at hand. The Park Authority and partners offer regular Funding opportunities to support the green transition, and we also work closely with organisations such as GrowBiz to provide advice and support to help you to create a climate action plan. 

Business Energy Scotland also offer a range of services in this area, from an SME loans scheme up to £100,000, to a team of advisors and technical specialists on hand to help reduce your energy consumption. Skills Development Scotland has pioneered the Green Jobs Workforce Academy, which helps people take a greener approach to their careers, from accessing training and learning new skills to finding a new job.

And last but by no means least, the Scottish Business Climate Collaboration helps small to medium-sized organisations reduce their emissions. Through their Climate Action Hub, businesses can access tools and knowledge, as well as accredited e-learning modules to work through.