A greener, more inclusive future for National Park visitors

PEMBROKESHIRE COAST NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY has taken a major step forward in improving both accessibility and sustainability with the launch of a new electric minibus. The vehicle, funded by BMW UK’s Recharge in Nature partnership with UK National Parks, alongside support from the Ministry of Defence’s Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) Conservation Stewardship Fund, replaces an ageing diesel model.

The new electric minibus will not only reduce emissions and noise pollution but also enable more people – including those with mobility issues – to access the National Park. It will support initiatives such as guided nature tours and volunteer projects, ensuring that a wider range of visitors can enjoy the park’s beauty and biodiversity.

James Parkin, Director of Nature and Tourism at the Park Authority, said: “The minibus was unveiled during a special volunteer trip to Castlemartin Range – a unique landscape of rare wildlife and military history. Experienced Park Authority guides lead walking and minibus tours across this restricted MOD area, which is otherwise closed to the public during most of the year.

“Over 1,250 people have joined the guided Castlemartin tours in the past four years, and many have asked for more accessible options for friends and family with mobility challenges. This new vehicle will help meet that demand and open the experience to more people.”

Now in its third year, the Recharge in Nature partnership has installed 81 electric vehicle charge points across the Lake District, Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors, Dartmoor, and Bannau Brycheiniog, with more coming in 2025. Each National Park involved also receives funding for nature restoration and community impact projects – like the electric minibus at Pembrokeshire.

Emily Barrow, Brand Communication Manager at BMW UK, said: “At BMW, we’re committed to driving positive change through sustainable mobility and environmental stewardship. This new electric minibus is a great example of that – enabling low-impact travel while expanding access to nature for all. We’re proud to support projects that help more people enjoy the UK’s National Parks.”

James Nevitt, Senior Public Access & Recreation Advisor at DIO, added: “We’re delighted to support this initiative, which helps showcase the world-class landscape of Castlemartin in a safe and inclusive way. It’s a chance for more people to appreciate how this land supports both essential military training and diverse wildlife.”

Connecting people to nature

The Park Authority continues to run several community-focused projects aimed at improving wellbeing and access to nature. These include:

Roots to Recovery – a wellbeing initiative with Mind Pembrokeshire, offering outdoor activities to support mental health.

National Park Youth Ranger Scheme – a programme helping young people build conservation skills and connect with nature.

Pathways – a project providing volunteering and training opportunities for those seeking more time outdoors.

One regular participant said: “I learn something new every minute I’m there. We laugh a lot – if we arrive in a bad mood, we leave in a good one.”

By switching to electric transport, the Park Authority is not only cutting its carbon footprint but also enhancing inclusivity – ensuring more people can experience the physical and emotional benefits of Pembrokeshire’s protected landscapes.

To learn more about Park Authority projects or how to get involved, visit: www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales

A NEW report from The Crown Estate highlights the latest advances in environmental monitoring for tidal stream energy, drawing on data and gathered by the Anglesey-based Marine Characterisation Research Programme (MCRP). The report explores how the tidal stream energy sector is improving its understanding of the potential environmental impacts of devices such as turbines, with a focus on how they interact with marine wildlife, including movement patterns and habitat use.

The report brings together data from across the UK, including a major contribution from the MCRP, which was developed alongside the Morlais tidal energy scheme in north Wales. It covers key areas such as collision risk, displacement of species and the range of monitoring tools being used at tidal sites — helping to support future development.

Helen Roberts, Project Lead at MCRP, said: “It’s great to see the work we’ve led in Wales helping to inform thinking at a UK level. The MCRP has brought together industry, researchers and regulators to build a clearer picture of how tidal stream devices interact with the environment – and this report reflects that collaborative effort.”

The MCRP is part of social enterprise Menter Môn’s energy project portfolio and is funded by the Crown Estate and Nuclear Decommissioning Agency. It was established to support the safe deployment of tidal energy devices off the coast of Holyhead as part of the Morlais scheme.

Looking ahead, the findings in the report will help shape how data is shared and transferred across the tidal energy sector, making better use of existing evidence, cutting duplication and promoting progress within the sector.

Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/eKXa5Yku

WHILE some people in Pembrokeshire still question whether climate change is real, the evidence is stacking up — and today’s announcement about a massive floating wind farm project in the Celtic Sea shows that Wales is not only taking the issue seriously, but leading the way in tackling it.

This week, Pembroke Port in Milford Haven was shortlisted as one of seven UK ports that could play a key role in assembling giant offshore wind turbines for a project that could power over four million homes and create more than 5,000 jobs. The £1.4 billion development is part of a wider plan to harness the clean, renewable energy potential of the Celtic Sea.

It’s a vote of confidence in Pembrokeshire’s future — and a real-world example of how climate change is being addressed right here in West Wales.

The facts we can’t ignore

Despite online conspiracy theories and political noise, the science is clear. The planet is warming — and fast. Global temperatures have risen more than 1°C since the late 1800s. Sea levels are rising, polar ice is melting, and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense. Wales is already seeing the effects, from heavier rainfall and flash flooding to warmer winters and shifting wildlife patterns.

97% of climate scientists agree that this warming is caused by human activity, especially the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas. The tiny minority who deny this often have links to fossil fuel interests or aren’t trained climate scientists at all.

What it means for us

Here in Pembrokeshire, we’re on the front line. Coastal communities like Newgale and Dale are vulnerable to rising seas and stronger storms. Farmers face unpredictable growing seasons. Local businesses reliant on stable weather, from tourism to agriculture, are already feeling the pressure.

But Pembrokeshire is also part of the solution. Floating wind farms — like those planned for the Celtic Sea — offer clean power, skilled jobs, and energy security. Milford Haven’s port is already preparing for the future, backed by government investment and maritime expertise.

The climate is changing. Whether we “believe” it or not, it’s happening. The good news is that Pembrokeshire has a chance not just to weather the storm — but to help lead the way.

20 undeniable facts that prove climate change is real

1. The 10 hottest years on record have all occurred since 2010.
2. The Earth’s average temperature has risen by over 1.1°C since the late 19th century.
3. Arctic sea ice is shrinking — with summer ice extent declining by about 13% per decade.
4. The Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets are losing mass at an accelerating rate.
5. Global sea levels have risen by over 20 cm (8 inches) since 1900 — and are rising faster every decade.
6. The oceans are warming, absorbing more than 90% of excess heat from global warming.
7. More extreme weather is being recorded — including heatwaves, floods, storms and droughts.
8. The UK recorded its hottest day ever in July 2022: 40.3°C in Coningsby, Lincolnshire.
9. Pembrokeshire has experienced increased winter rainfall and more intense storms in recent years.
10. Wildfires are increasing globally, including in countries not historically prone to them — like Canada and Greece.
11. Ocean waters are becoming more acidic due to higher CO₂ absorption, threatening marine life and coral reefs.
12. Spring is arriving earlier across Europe, affecting wildlife and ecosystems.
13. Glaciers are retreating on every continent, including the Alps, Andes, and Himalayas.
14. Tropical diseases like dengue fever are spreading into new regions as global temperatures rise.
15. Climate-linked crop failures are increasing food insecurity in parts of Africa and Asia.
16. Satellite data shows the Earth’s energy imbalance is growing — more heat is being trapped than released.
17. The frequency of category 4 and 5 hurricanes in the Atlantic has increased over the last 40 years.
18. Plants and animals are shifting ranges to escape warming temperatures.
19. Permafrost is thawing in the Arctic, releasing methane — a potent greenhouse gas.
20. 97% of climate scientists agree: climate change is real and caused mostly by humans.