13/03/2014
Adapting to climate change - introduction
Adaptation Scotland recently hosted three full-day ‘Adapting to Climate Change – Introduction’ training events. The events were open to public sector practitioners who were new to climate change adaptation. The training took place in Inverness, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Why was this training held?
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 introduces a legal obligation for public bodies to address climate change through the Public Bodies Climate Change Duties. Section 44 of the Act requires that a public body must, in exercising its functions, act:
- in the way best calculated to contribute to delivery of the Act’s emissions reduction targets;
- in the way best calculated to deliver any statutory adaptation programme; and
- in a way that it considers most sustainable.
The forthcoming Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme (due 2014) will bring this duty into force.
What were the aims and objectives of the training?
The training provided an introduction to climate change adaptation in light of the forthcoming Public Bodies Climate Change (Adaptation) Duty. The training aimed to provide an overview of:
- recent and projected future climate change in Scotland;
- risks faced by public bodies as a result of climate change;
- ways to communicate the need for adaptation to a range of audiences;
- methods of assessing and managing climate risks; and
- accessing relevant tools and guidance.
Who attended the training?
The training was attended by those who had little or no previous experience of climate change adaptation, and who are responsible for implementing adaptation arrangements within their organisations. This included:
- Climate change, environment and sustainability officers
- Risk and resilience managers
- Emergency planning officers
- Infrastructure and assets management
All presentations can be downloaded below.
Related documents
The following documents were referred to in Sheila Currie's presentation.
SNH Annual Climate Change Duties Report
SNH Research into impacts of extreme weather events
SNH Climate Change and Nature Action Plan
SNH Adaptation Principles – Page 17 of Climate Change & Nature
SNH Sharing Good Practice: Managing Extreme Weather Events
SNH Greening/Carbon Management Webpage
SNH Climate Change Adaptation Webpage
For an example of how to incorporate climate change adaptation into Single Outcome Agreements, please visit The East Lothian Plan: Single Outcome Agreement 2013-23
For more information contact [email protected]