'We need to do all we can to limit the ways
in which our own resource use contributes to the problem.' - Dame Fiona Reynolds DBE
Global climate change is driven by emissions of greenhouse gases – mainly carbon
dioxide and methane.
The principle human causes of global greenhouse gas emissions are:
- burning of fossil fuels
- forest clearance
- intensive livestock farming and cropping
- drainage of wetlands
- degradation of carbon based soils
In the UK, we have done
and are doing all of these things. If we are to slow down the rate of climate change then we have to
stop these greenhouse gas emissions. We have to stop emissions before we cause irreversible changes,
for example to ice sheets, marine life, or soils.
National Trust energy and resource projects
We are committed to reducing our own energy footprint and in developing projects
that can enable people to learn about adaptation and efficient resource use.
We have an adopted energy policy that commits us to reduce our overall use of energy
and to substitute fossil fuels with renewable energy wherever appropriate, as quickly as possible given
financial, technological and conservation constraints. This includes a target to cut our electricity
use by 10 per cent by February 2007.
Energy saving and renewable energy
We are undertaking some exciting and innovative renewable energy projects at our
properties.
Our new pamphlet, Microgeneration policy from practice (PDF/363KB),
highlights some examples of these projects and sets out what we believe needs to be done to move small
scale renewable energy into the mainstream.
Below are just a few examples of our renewable energy activities from around the
National Trust:
Gibson Mill, West Yorkshire
Gibson Mill is a 200 year old cotton mill at the heart of Hardcastle Crags near
Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire, which has been transformed to embrace the latest green technology.
Following 18 months of redevelopment, the mill is now 100 per cent self-sufficient
in energy, water and waste treatment, and the only ‘mains’ connection with the outside world is the
phone lines.
© National Trust
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Kynance Cove, Cornwall
We opened restored historic buildings and new visitor facilities, both with high
environmental standards, at Kynance Cove on the Cornish coast in 2004.
The historic buildings, which today form the basis of Kynance café, now incorporate
over 580 individual photo-voltaic solar slates, generating electricity from the sun throughout the year.
Natural wool insulation and solar water heating have also been introduced.
© National Trust
In addition, the cove - which draws over 150,000 visitors every year - now has purpose-built
'green' lavatories.
Sympathetically designed to blend into the natural landscape, with a living turf
roof and surrounded by Cornish hedges, the new toilets have their own ‘biobubble’. This self-contained
fully biological and ultraviolet treatment system, for treating sewage and café waste, ensures high
quality water standards for beach users.
Brancaster, Norfolk
Brancaster Millennium Activity Centre incorporates the latest renewable energy technology
to supplement its energy requirements.
This includes a ground source heat pump to generate heat from the surrounding mudflats
(a natural store of geothermal energy). One kilometre of plastic piping has been buried completely unobtrusively
under the mudflats and, in a process similar to a refrigerator in reverse, heat can be transferred from
the mud to supply under-floor heating in parts of the building.
© National Trust
In addition, some of the energy for the centre’s lighting and domestic hot water
supply is generated by solar panels on the roof. A small wind turbine provides a further electricity
supply. Low energy lights and ultra efficient double glazing also help minimise the centre’s resource
use.
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The Heelis Building, Swindon
The National Trust’s new central office in Swindon (designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley)
demonstrates how commercially viable buildings can be built in a more sustainable way, maximising the
use of daylight and natural ventilation.
© National Trust
The building is one of the most energy efficient, day-lit and naturally ventilated
offices in the UK. It achieves an excellent rating under the BRE Environmental Assessment
Method and, with photo-voltaic solar panels installed, it should have one of the lowest carbon
dioxide emissions ratings of any building in the country.
Green travel
We are committed to offering visitors to our properties car-free transport
alternatives, supported by greater use of public transport.
© Enterprise Boats
Conservation and land management
The High Peak Estate, Derbyshire
The National Trust’s conservation policies also commit us to manage land and water
for natural and cultural interests that will also benefit carbon storage. We are doing this through
wetland, peatland and soil conservation measures, and through sustainable farming.
Our pioneering work in the High Peak of the Peak District in stopping peat erosion
and restoring blanket bog will bring huge benefits in reduced carbon emissions from those degrading
peats, as well as the major wildlife, landscape, water quality and access benefits.
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