Virtual-signalling officials to rename Brecon Beacons national park over climate change links

Brecon Beacons national park

The Brecon Beacons are to be renamed as officials claim the symbol of a 'carbon burning beacon' is not in line with its 'push to net zero'

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Georgina Cutler

By Georgina Cutler


Published: 17/04/2023

- 09:56

The National Park has raised concerns over the word 'beacon' which is incompatible with the fight against climate change

The Brecon Beacons are to be renamed as officials claim the symbol of a "carbon burning beacon" is not in line with its "push to net zero".

The national park will now be officially referred to as the “Bannau Brycheiniog” with bosses opting for a welsh name which steers clear of any associations with historical signal fires.


Officials says the representation of a flaming beacon emitting carbon “does not fit with the ethos” of the national park as an eco-friendly organisation.

Following the change, a senior Tory source challenged the decision as “pure virtue signalling” that would “do nothing to actually help the environment”.

A stream in the The Brecon Beacons

Chiefs say the name change is in 'direct response to the climate and biodiversity emergency'

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“We’re an environmental organisation. We’re trying to cut carbon and push to net zero. So, having a carbon burning beacon just isn’t a good look," Catherine Mealing-Jones, the chief executive of Brecon Beacons National Park told the Telegraph.

“We’ve had awful wildfires over the last few years. So anything that kind of promotes that idea that fire in the landscape is a good thing made us feel that it probably wasn’t the look we’re going for.”

Chiefs say the name change is in “direct response to the climate and biodiversity emergency” and is part of bigger plans to reach net zero in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035.

The name modification has sparked fears in Westminster that a precedent may be set for changing names if they happen to provoke environmentalists.

“Next thing they’ll be renaming Burns’ Night," Sir Robert Goodwill, the Tory chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee said.

He added that place names like “Coalville” or “Blackburn” might equally be at risk under rules about avoiding links to carbon-emissions.

He said: “I have to say that I have never made the association between the Beacons and fire.

“I think it is more important to retain historical names as part of our heritage. I had to recheck my diary when I heard this ludicrous suggestion just to make sure it wasn’t April Fools’ day.”

People walking in the Brecon Beacons

The name modification has sparked fears in Westminster that a precedent may be set for changing names

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There is no definitive historical evidence of warning beacons ever being lit on the peaks.

"That’s the name that we’ve always had. Brecon Beacons was almost imposed on it later in its history,” Mealing-Jones said.

“It’s something that we are almost reclaiming as much more meaningful to the landscape that we’re responsible for. The fit of our park is much more akin to the Old Kingdom of King Brychan.

“Many people who we love to welcome to the park will continue to call it the Brecon Beacons. That’s absolutely fine.”

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