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Local Authorities and Sustainable Peatland Management: Current Opportunities and Future Possibilities for Local Approaches
each National Park area and acts as the land use planning authority. NPAs are also ‘access authorities’ in their area which facilitate the exercise of public rights of access to open land. The NPA has a statutory duty to create a management plan for the area underlining its approach to the exercise of its functions. In 2021, National Parks UK, issued a Climate Emergency Response Statement which outlined their commitment to (i) achieving Net Zero Carbon in the parks by 2045 (as well as meeting the general public sector target for their operations by 2030) (ii) including targets for carbon reductions in their management plans and (iii) working across boundaries with national and local government, and other partners and stakeholders. National Parks are also seen as a key player in developing the response in Wales to the ’30 by 30’ target. In May 2022, Welsh Government called upon the National Parks of Wales to become exemplars in responding to the climate and nature emergencies. The law and policy frameworks for National Parks support the idea that they are the lead organisation in responding to the climate and nature emergencies. It follows, therefore, that they would lead on SPM in their area. However, they also recognise the importance of partnership working. Although local authorities do not have statutory land use planning functions in NPA areas, they will still have powers and duties relevant to the economic, social, cultural and, crucially, environmental well-being of local people. Thus, SPM will still be relevant and exchange of knowledge and expertise on these issues between local authorities and NPAs could be beneficial. Indeed, this could also apply to local authorities on the borders of National Parks. This may include not just the technical skills involved in peatland management and restoration, but experiences and skills gained in engagement with landowners (including dealing with the particular issues that arise in the context of common land) and public engagement. Since 2017, there has been an emphasis on an exchange of expertise and learning between National Parks and, indeed, between all protected landscapes (i.e., also including Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty). This could provide a mechanism to support SPM across NPAs but similar arrangements could be adopted to exchange knowledge with local authorities. It is also important to note NPAs already work with NRW and local authorities through PSBs and Area Statements and these arrangements are discussed below.
Third Sector Organisations
Environmental charitable organisations such as RSPB, National Trust and the Wildlife Trusts are important landowners who may be able to support SPM on this land. There are, for example, 216 Wildlife Trusts nature reserves in Wales compared to the 62 Local Nature Reserves that are owned by local authorities in Wales. The Wildlife Trusts owns land that includes peatlands and is developing its work and expertise in this field. Local authorities already work closely with wildlife organisations and they are key partners in Local Nature Partnerships (LNPs). The opportunities presented by LNPs are discussed in more detail below.
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