National Flood Resilience Strategy: implementation plan

Policy 22 outlines avoidance of flood risk as a first principle in development planning, as well as no increase in overall flood risk, mandatory integration of flood risk and water management into Local development plans and Strengthened role of SEPA and statutory duties on planning authorities under the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009.

Outlines the need to Adapt Scotland’s transport networks to increasing flood risk, recognising flooding as a critical risk to reliability and safety.

Outlines the need to reduce exposure and vulnerability to flooding across communities, places and infrastructure, recognising flooding as one of Scotland’s highest‑impact climate risks.

Outline actions to build resilient and sustainable places including resilience to flooding and extreme rainfall and integrating flood risk and adaptation into infrastructure appraisal and investment decisions and maintaining and upgrading existing assets.

A nationally agreed framework setting out seven principles of effective community engagement (including inclusion, planning, communication, and impact). These standards are used across government, local authorities, and the third sector as the benchmark for good practice.

Identifies flood mitigation as cobenefit of a range of biodiversity-led land change measures.

Much of the water environment in Scotland is in good condition. However, there are still significant problems affecting water quality, physical condition, water resources, and the migration of wild fish.

The River Basin Management Plans for Scotland set out a range of actions to address water quality, physical condition, water resources and migration of wild fish.

Highlights risk of flooding and necessity of consideration in land use and natural flood management case studies.

A national strategy with sustainable forest management at its core. Recognises the role of forestry in enhancing environmental benefits.

The national housing strategy, setting out a vision for ensuring that everyone in Scotland has access to a safe, high-quality, affordable, energy-efficient home in a place that supports their wellbeing and aspirations by 2040. The strategy promotes the creation of resilient, sustainable places and homes that can adapt to climate change.

A statutory document under the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018, it sets out the policies and investments that Scottish Government intend to deliver to improve outcomes for island communities.

A new National Islands Plan was published in February 2026. It includes commitments concerning climate adaptation and highlights ongoing delivery of flood resilience initiatives in support of Scotland’s islands.

Scotland's Community Resilience and Emergency Planning Framework provides guidance and support to help communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies by strengthening local resilience, promoting community-led emergency planning, and encouraging collaboration with emergency responders and public bodies.

Scotland’s National Marine Plan provides a framework for the sustainable management of Scotland’s seas and supports coordinated management of coastal areas, helping to address the impacts of sea level rise, coastal erosion and storm surges through marine planning policies that strengthen the resilience of coastal communities, infrastructure and natural coastal defences.

Scotland’s Coastal Change Adaptation Guidance helps local authorities and their partners plan for and adapt to the long-term impacts of coastal change, including coastal erosion, sea level rise and increased coastal flooding, while supporting the resilience of communities, infrastructure and the natural environment.

Scotland’s Public Health Priorities Framework sets out a shared national agenda for improving health and reducing health inequalities, focusing on the social, economic and environmental factors that shape wellbeing and includes a focus on creating healthy, safe and resilient places and communities.

Scotland’s Just Transition Planning recognises the need to build a climate-resilient economy and communities while ensuring adaptation measures are delivered fairly.