The South Downs National Park Authority has announced on that the UK's National Parks have become the first globally to join the UN's 'Race to Zero' initiative.
The aim of the initiative is to convert a section of land, nearly four times larger than London (610,000 hectares), into a nature sanctuary.
This will involve nature-friendly management across all 15 national parks, increased use of sustainable transportation and renewable energy, and promoted sustainable food production.
The South Downs has already been taking proactive steps towards addressing climate change, led by local communities like Petersfield, Winchester, Midhurst, and Ouse Valley in East Sussex.
The Petersfield Climate Action Network has been working to reduce carbon emissions and support nature, helping with modifications to infrastructure and lifestyle weekly.
Last winter, they planted more than 1,000 fruit trees and nearly 3km of hedging plants across East Hampshire.
In another community-led project, the Ouse Valley Climate Action is at the halfway point of a three-year project partly funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.
The initiative has involved thousands of locals, with activities ranging from river protection, energy reduction, creating community gardens, and promoting children's cycling.
The South Downs National Park Authority has been working with partners to make the park more accessible, manage climate projects, and promote sustainable businesses.
As part of these initiatives, over half a million hectares of land have been improved or created for nature, including the planting of approximately 50,000 trees and the restoring of rare habitats.
Tim Slaney, interim chief executive of the South Downs National Park Authority, said: "We welcome this major announcement today from National Parks UK and look forward to making a significant contribution to the ‘Race to Zero’ initiative and helping others too.
"Climate change is having a fundamental effect on biodiversity, agriculture, water resources and communities in the South Downs National Park, but together we can make a difference.
"Here in the South Downs we have two key strengths: community action and our ReNature programme. There’s a real concern among our local communities, including young people, farmers, and businesses, about a changing, more unpredictable climate and there’s a genuine desire to do something positive."
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