Executive Summary
The Consultation
On 24th June 2008, the Minister for Climate Change announced a consultation to ensure Scotland is prepared for the unavoidable impacts of climate change. The consultation was proposed to inform Scotland's Climate Change Adaptation Framework. The consultation was about providing leadership and guidance through the development of an overarching, strategic approach to climate change adaptation. The forthcoming Climate Change Adaptation Framework will help the Scottish Government to work better with local government, the private and public sectors to build Scotland's resilience by managing for the risks and capitalising on the opportunities that climate change brings.
A total of 68 written responses were received from a range of stakeholder groups and geographical locations, predominantly within Scotland. Respondents have been grouped as: public sector; voluntary sector; individuals (not affiliated to an organisation); private sector (business and industry); and institutions (academic and research). The highest number of responses came from the public sector. Of the remaining responses, the highest number came from the voluntary sector and individuals. An equal number of responses came from the private sector and institutions. There were no campaign responses.
The consultation was conducted between June and October 2008 and included 8 questions. The specific questions explored:
1. The correct understanding of climate adaptation.
2. The correct understanding of a well-adapting Scotland.
3. The correct identification of strategic principles for promoting a sustainable approach to climate adaptation.
4. The correct identification of strategic priority actions for Government to promote a sustainable approach to climate adaptation.
5. The most pressing challenges for organisations responding to critical weather events.
6. The most pressing challenges for organisations planning for critical weather events.
7. The role of the Scottish Government in supporting climate adaptation in Scotland.
8. Key audience groups/ organisations/ bodies, the Scottish Government should be communicating with about climate adaptation.
Responses were largely analysed qualitatively and the analysis generated information around the eight main questions which the consultation explored. The qualitative results of the analysis are presented in this report, by question, and common and contrasting viewpoints are discussed in detail. A summary of findings is provided at the end of each section. Overarching themes and trends based on each chapter have been drawn out and presented with conclusions.
Understanding of climate adaptation
The majority of respondents from all the different sectors agreed with the understanding of climate change as it was consistent with the IPCC's definition. However some comments relating to expanding the definition, clarity of language and terminology were made.
The issue of mitigation was raised by many respondents who felt there was a pressing need for the Scottish Government to provide a more definitive definition of mitigation and adaptation and to discuss the interrelationship between the two.
Some respondents suggested it may be helpful to adopt an approach based on the precautionary principle, i.e. to refer to the scale and risk of potential climate changes. Risks associated with the international dimensions, like changing global systems, social political and economic instability, warfare, diseases and mass migration were raised.
The vital role of strategic planning was also identified by the respondents, including the need for continuous and coordinated intervention with clearly articulated responsibilities for different sectors, partnership and collaboration between agencies and stakeholders, and increased awareness at every level.
A well - adapting Scotland
An overwhelming majority of respondents agreed with the Scottish Government's definition of a well-adapting Scotland. However, some respondents commented that the framework provides no indication of concrete plans to achieve this vision.
Most individual and public sector respondents expressed the view that there should be greater emphasis on planning, implementation and monitoring with a clear set of roles and responsibilities set out for all the stakeholders.
Most of the respondents agreed that the availability of tools and information are essential to forecasting realistic scenarios and reducing uncertainty which ultimately affects the quality of planning and decision making.
Many respondents agreed that there should be coordination across key decision makers with sharing of learning, and that there is a need for structured processes which could be integrated into existing policy areas.
It was discussed by many respondents that planning, cross-sectoral communication, research and preparatory actions would need significant financial and human resources and this is not clearly stated in the consultation document.
Strategic principles for a sustainable approach
The majority of respondents agreed with the sustainable approach to climate change for economic growth proposed by the Scottish Government. Most respondents also supported the 15 National Outcomes identified by the Scottish Government.
The majority of respondents from all sectors generally supported the six proposed principles by the Scottish Government with some suggested revisions to language, and some debate over the correct order and priority of specific principles in the framework.
There were concerns expressed by many respondents over the associated development costs of adapting to climate change. Other issues like the need for proper planning, monitoring and regular assessment were discussed and many suggestions were put forward.
Some respondents argued that mitigation is central, rather than complementary, to adaptation measures. There was concern raised by some respondents that there is not a specific national outcome which directly addresses the need for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Some respondents suggested additional strategic principles including localisation of initiatives; responsibility for making decisions and taking action; a long term, proactive and anticipatory response to climate change; and close working between adaptation and mitigation measures.
Strategic priority actions for climate adaptation
All the strategic priority actions for Government to promote a well-adapting Scotland were supported by the respondents from all sectors and it was argued that a well-adapting Scotland will require the active participation of everyone.
Most public sector respondents agreed that early action and prevention must be central in any adaptation strategy. However, it was also identified that an assessment of what action is needed now, in the medium term, and long term is also required.
It was acknowledged by most of the respondents from all sectors that the leadership and coordination role of the Government is fundamental to the successful implementation of the main strategic priority actions for climate adaptation. Respondents made various suggestions including a need for a clear plan of action and well integrated planning.
Respondents supported the proposal that it is important to ensure effective communications between key decision makers, in order to design effective adaptation responses. Respondents also emphasised the need to improve the knowledge base through developing a strategic approach to research and participating in partnerships that share best practice and findings.
Most of the respondents agreed that education, awareness and behavioural change is needed across the different sectors of the society and a targeted education programme is essential to communicate the need for change and the risks of inaction.
Additional priority actions were put forward by respondents including: assessment; developing a plan of action with clear roles and responsibilities; developing communication campaigns to change attitudes and behaviours related to climate change; and more information and application of the ecosystem approach.
Challenges for climate change adaptation
The majority of respondents agreed with most of the major challenges identified in the consultation paper for organisations responding to critical weather events identified in the framework.
Respondents from all sectors agreed that experiences of the past should be shared and widely disseminated, and should include practical examples of proven value drawn from real-life responses to critical events.
Most respondents agreed that accurate information needs to be prioritised, and that timely advice and quality information are essential to ensure proper intervention for people most immediately affected by severe weather events.
Many respondents pointed out that uncertainty is a considerable issue in relation to all aspects of climate change, which is why flexibility in decision making and preparedness for events is very important.
Almost all of the respondents expressed the view that the most pressing challenge would be funding and access to additional funding at short notice. Respondents identified a need for appropriate resource allocation to local authorities as meeting the varied challenges of climate change will impose significant new financial burdens.
Some respondents were concerned about the global impact of climate change and its effect on Scotland.
It was pointed out by many respondents that the challenges vary enormously by physical and socio-economic geography of an area. Some challenges are likely to be more significant for certain areas than others. Therefore further clarification of what these challenges mean or represent in practical, locally relevant terms would have been helpful.
Respondents from all sectors agreed that it is very important to establish clearly defined roles and responsibilities for all accountable service providers.
Leadership and coordination
The majority of responses welcomed the role of the Scottish Government to provide leadership by integrating the principles of adaptation, and envisaged a wider role for it to play, beyond that outlined in the consultation document.
Most of the respondents expressed the view that the Government has an important strategic role to play in making sure that Scotland adapts well to climate change by providing available information on the likely future climate changes.
Respondents from all sectors suggested that guidance should be provided on successful adaptation to climate change. It should include more directives, mandatory priorities, actions, clear objectives and clarity in terms of the timescales for meeting objectives, to ensure that all stakeholders are working together to promote adaptation effectively.
There was a general consensus that an integrated climate change strategy needs to be implemented comprehensively across national, regional and local boundaries.
Some respondents suggested cooperative action between Scotland and other countries to improve adaptation responses, and also to help support climate change adaptation in poor countries through knowledge exchange and technical and financial assistance, under the government's 'International Development Programme'.
Respondents raised mixed views about the intended link with the Scottish Climate Change Bill, mitigation and adaptation. Respondents asked for more information on how mitigation and adaptation will be linked together.
A number of respondents proposed that the Scottish Government should conduct a regular analysis of the impacts of climate change on key sectors like the Scottish economy, Scottish biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Key audiences to communicate about climate adaptation
Most of the participants across all sectors agreed that in order to ensure the people of Scotland, both as individuals and as a society, adapt adequately to the effects of climate change, the Scottish Government must ensure that all stakeholders are included in the discussion.
The majority of respondents acknowledged that ensuring Scotland is adapting effectively to the impacts of climate change will require the active engagement and participation of all key stakeholders working towards achievable targets and timeframes based on local circumstances.
Respondents identified key audiences they felt the Scottish Government should communicate with about climate change adaptation including individual households, businesses, community groups, the voluntary, public and private sectors.
Additional information and comments
Some respondents commented that local authorities have a critical role to play in the achievement of the government's emission targets and need to take the lead in developing local initiatives which will encourage consumer and corporate action in their locations.
Some respondents remarked that the consultation paper relied too heavily on technical jargon, 'buzz words' and phrases. A few respondents stated the use of phrases such as 'climate adaptation' and 'well-adapting' should be avoided because they make the paper unnecessarily complex, and make it difficult for the public to engage with the issue. Several respondents emphasised the need for documentation on this issue to be clear and straight forward.
A small number of respondents stated that the consultation document does not specify the Government's expectations of the public and private sector in contributing towards Scotland's adaptation.
Some respondents expressed their views on Annex B, for whom it was a useful collation of information on sectoral interests. It was commented that most of the information collated related to individual organisations and does not provide a full picture of measures that each sector needs to take.
Overarching themes and conclusion
A number of common issues were repeated across the responses to the questions set out in the consultation paper and are summarised below:
Overall, respondents from all sectors agreed with the understanding of climate change and stressed that the Scottish Government needs to expand the definition, make it clearer, and provide a better explanation of the role of mitigation. They argued that mitigation is central, rather than complementary, to adaptation measures.
Most respondents discussed the need for continuous and coordinated intervention with clearly articulated responsibilities for different sectors, partnership and collaboration between agencies and stakeholders, and increased awareness at every level.
The main concerns raised by respondents related to the development costs associated with implementing climate change adaptation at different levels.
Respondents from all sectors agreed that experiences of the past should be shared and widely disseminated, and should include practical examples of proven value drawn from real-life responses to critical events.
Most respondents agreed that accurate information needs to be prioritised, and that timely advice and quality information are essential to ensure proper intervention for people most immediately affected by severe weather events.
The majority of respondents agreed that the Scottish Government has an important strategic role to play in making sure that Scotland adapts well to climate change by providing leadership.
Most respondents agreed that in order to ensure that Scotland is adapting effectively to the impacts of climate change, the Scottish Government must ensure all key stakeholders are actively engaged.