Evaluation of the Adaptation Scotland Programme

Executive Summary

Background and methodology

The Adaptation Scotland Programme is a long-standing Scottish Government-funded programme that supports public bodies, businesses, communities and third sector organisations to prepare for and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Established in 2005, the Programme has evolved alongside Scotland's climate adaptation policy and legislative framework and plays a central role in supporting delivery of the Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024-2029 (SNAP3). The Programme currently spans seven delivery clusters focused on strengthening adaptation capability, leadership, knowledge, collaboration and place-based action across Scotland.

The Scottish Government commissioned Ipsos to undertake an independent evaluation of the current Programme. The evaluation explored how and how well the Programme’s activities contributed to adaptation outcomes to generate insights to inform any re-procurement and redesign of the Programme beyond 2027.

The evaluation adopted a theory-based approach, combining both process and impact evaluation methods. Given the complex policy and delivery environment surrounding climate adaptation, contribution analysis was used to assess the Programme's contribution to observed outcomes. Qualitative fieldwork included 63 semi-structured interviews involving participants involved in Programme governance and delivery, organisations receipt of support, and organisations with more limited engagement. The evaluation also included a review of Programme monitoring information to assess implementation, outputs and evidence of outcomes.

Process findings

Stakeholders generally viewed the Programme’s design, governance and delivery arrangements positively. The four-year contract period and two-phase design process were considered beneficial, enabling delivery to evolve in response to learning and align with the publication of SNAP3.

Evidence from monitoring information (MI) and stakeholder interviews suggests that the Programme was implemented broadly as intended. The flexible delivery model, supported by a strong working relationship between Scottish Government and Verture, the contract delivery partner, enabled activities to be refined in response to stakeholder feedback, emerging learning and changing policy priorities.

The Programme engaged stakeholders across the public, private and community sectors through networks, events, guidance, communications and tailored support. Stakeholders valued the Programme’s responsive and collaborative approach, although some audiences, particularly SMEs, smaller public bodies and groups without established representative organisations, were reported to be more difficult to engage.

Partnership working was a key feature of delivery. Collaboration with delivery partners and sector organisations was considered to strengthen the relevance and reach of Programme activities, although reliance on external partners occasionally contributed to delays in delivery.

Across the seven ‘clusters’ that make up the annual work plan, evidence suggests that the Programme supported knowledge sharing, adaptation planning, partnership development and policy development. Stakeholders reported increased visibility of adaptation across a range of sectors and policy areas, although progress was viewed as uneven. Progress was strongest in public sector and place-based activity, while private sector engagement, the translation of increased knowledge into adaptation action, and the embedding of adaptation across some wider policy areas were less developed. Wider factors beyond the Programme’s direct control also influenced progress.

Impact findings

The evaluation found strongest evidence of impact in relation to the Programme’s contribution to building networks, increasing knowledge and confidence, and improving access to adaptation tools and resources. Stakeholders consistently reported that networks, events, training and peer learning opportunities had strengthened understanding of climate adaptation and increased confidence to act.

There was also strong evidence of the Programme’s contribution to collaboration and place-based adaptation through its support for regional adaptation partnerships. Stakeholders consistently described Adaptation Scotland’s role in convening partners, facilitating collaboration, sharing learning and supporting regional planning as critical to the establishment and development of partnerships across Scotland. The Programme was widely viewed as accelerating progress and creating the foundations for future adaptation action.

Evidence was weaker for organisations translating increased knowledge, confidence and collaboration into adaptation action. While there were some examples of adaptation action evidence of implementation was less consistent and progress was often constrained by factors beyond the Programme’s control, including organisational capacity, funding constraints, competing priorities and senior leadership support.

While the Programme had engaged with a range of groups vulnerable to climate change, evidence showing how the views of vulnerable groups had been acted on to influence policy decisions was weaker. Although stakeholders identified examples of Programme-supported engagement with vulnerable groups informing policy discussions and consultation processes, evidence of direct policy influence or tangible changes resulting from these contributions was less clear.