Event
19/10/2021

National Climate Resilience Summit

On 1 October 2021, chief executives, directors and other senior leaders from 70 organisations participated in the Scottish Government-hosted National Climate Resilience Summit. This Summit was an opportunity to raise collective ambitions for an inclusive, resilient, net zero Scotland and demonstrate support for a global deal on adaptation at COP26 in Glasgow.

Delegates were welcomed by the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport, Michael Matheson MSP and the Summit’s chair Kersti Berge, Scottish Government Director for Energy and Climate Change led a wide range of discussions. Presentations were given by Maggie Ngwira, Climate Challenge Programme Malawi and Baroness Brown, Chair of the CCC’s Adaptation Committee. Case studies were shared by Nuin-Tara Key, Deputy Director for Climate Resilience at the California State Governor’s Office for Planning and Research and James Curran, Chair of Climate Ready Clyde. All presentations and Q&A are now available to view below:

Dialogue sessions were held, covering:

  • Adapting transport, infrastructure and built environments;
  • Rural resilience and regional action;
  • Transforming finance; and
  • Supporting a fairer, greener, wellbeing economy.

Delegates were also invited to endorse a public Ambition Statement to allow them to demonstrate and communicate enhanced ambition and collective leadership on climate resilience. More than 50 organisations and senior leaders have endorsed this Ambition Statement or committed to taking it to their board or appropriate governance structures.

Key points from the plenary and dialogue sessions, along with the text of the Summit ambition statement can be found in the NCRS Event Report.

NEXT STEPS

1: Organisations endorsing the Summit’s ambition statement are encouraged to communicate this collective ambition though their own channels and networks as appropriate during COP26. If you would like to add your organisation to the list of those who endorse or commit to consider the National Climate Resilience Summit ambition statement ahead of COP26, please email [email protected]

2: Organisations wishing to further embed climate adaptation into their culture, corporate governance and organisational priorities are encouraged to explore the resources available via the Adaptation Scotland website to make use of best practice and past experience.