A JOINT £3 million funding bid is to be made to the European Union to help in the battle against climate change in the Lake District.

National park chief executive Richard Leafe will tell members next Wednesday that it is seeking more funds for projects to cut damaging carbon emissions.

The hope is for the national park to become a “zero carbon park” and measures including more electric vehicles and charging points could follow.

It follows a successful £4.2 million grant last year from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

At a full meeting of the authority on Wednesday, Mr Leafe will say: “We are currently preparing a second bid for ERDF low carbon funding.

“The bid is likely to be for around £3m and involves a number of partners, including the National Trust and South Lakeland District Council.

“The scope of the bid is currently being developed and is likely to include investment in sustainable transport – including electric vehicles and charging points – and energy efficiency measures.

“When the bid is further developed, we will return to you with a paper seeking your agreement to be the accountable body for this funding.”

In March, the LDNPA co-hosted an event with Cumbria Action for Sustainability, on the park’s progress with its Low Carbon Lake District initiative.

It follows recommendations from the Committee On Climate Change -the independent, statutory body established under the Climate Change Act 2008.

It has recommended a new legal commitment to a 2050 target for a net zero carbon UK and action to achieve this “without delay”.

In 2015, an estimated 80 percent of visitors arrived by car and the park has set a target to cut this figure to 64 percent by 2040.