LOTTERY funding of almost £11 million has been announced to help the Cairngorms become the UK’s first net-zero national park.
A total of £10.7 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund has been awarded to the Cairngorms National Park Authority to help it deliver its Cairngorms 2030 action plan.
The five-year, £42.3 million initiative pledges to bring about “transformational change in the Cairngorms” – the UK’s largest national park – with work to improve sustainable travel and to restore and enhance peatland and woodland areas key in the plan.
The funding was announced as Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf visited the area on Monday.
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The First Minister said: “Scotland’s national parks are more important than ever in helping us tackle the biodiversity and climate crises – and strengthening our rural communities.
“We are proud to support the Cairngorms to become the UK’s first net-zero national park. The Cairngorms 2030 project is an excellent example of over 70 partners working together to deliver benefits for rural communities, businesses and the natural environment.”
Yousaf continued: “Our national parks create new employment opportunities and promote green skills and jobs.
“They also help to generate and channel investment into the area’s natural resources.
“Investing in protecting and enhancing Scotland’s precious environment creates great opportunities that will benefit people and communities throughout the country, particularly in rural areas.”
Sandy Bremner, convener of the Cairngorms National Park Authority, said they were “delighted” to receive the lottery funding for the project.
He added: “This five-year, £42.3 million initiative will put the power to tackle the nature and climate crisis in the hands of the people in the park.
“It will benefit people’s health and wellbeing, develop sustainable transport solutions and help nature – and we are ready to get going on delivering for all those who live, work and visit this very special place.”
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