The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has given an update on the progress it has made in cutting greenhouse gas emissions from its own operations.

The Authority’s Carbon Reduction Plan, agreed in 2020, committed it to reducing its emissions by 95 per cent by 2030, compared with a 2005 baseline.

A paper debated at the Audit and Review Committee meeting shows the Authority has so far reduced emissions by 74 per cent, compared with 2005.

Three of the Authority’s four National Park Visitor Centres – at Grassington, Aysgarth Falls and Malham – are now heated using air source pumps.

This is on top of previous work to install biomass boilers at the Colvend office and at the Dales Countryside Museum, as well as ground source heat pumps at the Yoredale office in Bainbridge.

Before the end of this year, a large proportion of the Authority’s leased vehicle fleet will be switched to electric vehicles.

Charging points have been installed at the main offices and ranger bases in Hawes, Grassington, Stonedykes near Langcliffe, Orton, Malham, Aysgarth Falls and Bainbridge.

Member Champion for Corporate Management Julie Hutton said: “I am really pleased at the way we have continued to find ways to run our buildings and vehicles in a more environmentally friendly way, and save money on our running costs. “The National Park Authority declared a climate emergency five years ago – but we’ve been working to reduce our emissions since 2005.”

In total the National Park Authority runs around 20 buildings, including 10 public toilet blocks. It has a total of 172 staff, including part-time workers and job shares.