Current campaigns
Minerals
In the 1940s, when National Parks were first being mooted, planning permissions for long-term mineral development within these areas were first handed out. Today, the minerals industry continues to have a presence in many of the National Parks in England and Wales.
Large-scale mineral activity conflicts with National Park purposes and CNP has campaigned for a more sustainable use of the mineral resource in the Parks. This means that minerals are only extracted from National Parks where they meet a national need and are without an alternative. Unfortunately this is not the case on a number of the sites.
CNP, as part of the Save Longstone Edge coalition has been campaigning to stop damaging quarrying operations at Backdale in the Peak District National Park. The Court of Appeal considered the case in February 2009 - see here for some good news!
Energy
Climate change is a major threat to our environment and energy use and generation is an important element of this. CNP campaigns for: 
- a reduction in the overall use of energy
- greater energy efficiency
- more renewable energy
National Parks can be used for renewable energy resources, as long as they are sensibly sited and at an appropriate scale. National Parks have been involved in a number of renewable energy projects, for example the North York Moors Park-wide Community Renewable Energy project which supports the Upper Esk Energy Group's home energy checks and visits to schools. More information about National Parks and renewable energy can be found here.
The government is currently going ahead with its new nuclear build programme and whilst these are not expected to occur in National Parks, it may have implications for new power lines that will be required.
Military
Since the 19th Century, remote rural areas have been used for military training and several military training areas are situated within National Parks. They are used for activities such as live firing, low flying and adventure training. Camps and roads have also been developed on National Park land.
There is continuing debate that military presence is in conflict with the purposes of National Parks, particularly the conservation of natural beauty and public enjoyment. Not only can military activity have an impact on the landscape, it often restricts public access and noisy training activities can affect people's enjoyment of National Parks. 
CNP understands the need for military training, but works to ensure that its impact on National Parks is controlled and, where possible, reduced.
CNP has published research which assesses the impacts of military training on National Parks. This looks at military activity in all National Parks, as well as focusing on Dartmoor. It calls for an independent inquiry into military training in National Parks and makes recommendations on how the impact on the Parks could be reduced.
For more information see the press release or download the following reports:
Wild but not free: military training in National Parks
A continuing need? Military training and the Dartmoor National Park
South Downs National Park
CNP is involved in the campaign for the South Downs National Park. More information can be found here