National Islands Plan: annual report 2024

Climate Change and Energy

Strategic Objective 9 – Contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation and promote clean, affordable and secure energy

Commitment 9.1 Work with island communities to support their climate change aspirations.

Implementation Route Map 2024

• Community climate action hubs across the islands have been established to empower communities to identify the actions that are most appropriate to their needs and provide support in their local areas. They will help groups take advantage of funding opportunities, and promote collaboration between projects.
• The Carbon Neutral Islands (CNI) project, commenced in 2021, supports island communities to lead the way in realising Scotland’s climate change ambitions. Directly supporting six islands in their journey towards carbon neutrality by 2040, the work undertaken under this project not only benefits the environment, but supports local economies, facilities and general wellbeing through investment in communities.
• Following the production of a Community Climate Change Action Plan by each island, the CNI Islands have been moving forward with implementing projects to achieve the aims of these plans (with Scottish Government capital funding support).
• In 2024-25 a financing strategy is under development in order to streamline approaches to financing these CNI initiatives.
• Replicability is also a priority, with the Scottish Government working with Community Energy Scotland to share key learnings from the CNI with other islands not directly involved in the project.

Climate Action Hubs

Four of the Scottish Government funded Climate Action Hubs support community-led climate action across our islands – the Climate Hebrides Hub, the Argyll and Bute Climate Action Network, the Ayrshire Climate Hub and the Highlands and Islands Climate Hub.

The Climate Hubs raise awareness of the climate and nature emergencies within the islands context, provide support and advice on project development and funding options, offer small seed grants and support groups to learn from each other. They facilitate a joined-up approach to climate action across their area and support communities to shape local and national policy and decision-making.

Raising Awareness

The Hubs have provided free climate training to community groups and spaces for peer learning covering topics such as waste reduction, food and diet, transport, energy and funding.

Events such as the Highland and Islands Festival, showcased inspirational community led climate action, and Climate Hebrides CIC delivered stands at events across every major island in the Outer Hebrides raising awareness of their work and engaging hundreds of people.

Climate Hebrides CIC has also supported “bitesize” awareness training sessions across the islands. They commissioned the Social Enterprise Academy to deliver a series of sustainability training sessions for small businesses and social enterprises from across the islands. These in-depth sessions supported 16 enterprises to develop their own sustainability plans in 2024.

Driving Action

The Hubs all offered seed funding to support community groups to respond to the climate crisis, inspiring novel and localised solutions. Some examples of the types of projects supported in 2024 include:

• an educational marine conservation outreach programme for Clean Coast Outer Hebrides.
• the launch of REKO ring (sustainable local food production network) for community-owned estate, the Pairc Trust.
• an educational climate documentary created by young people from Barra Youth Cafe.
• the GRAB Trust sought funding for litter picking equipment for the island communities of Mull, Tiree, Islay and Jura. Combined with a scientist visit they carried out microplastics surveys on Mull beaches and worked with schools to study the findings during British Science Week.

The Hubs also provide support to communities to design and deliver local projects. For example, the Ayrshire Climate Hub is working with a number of delivery partners including Arran EcoSavvy, and the Arran Pioneer Project to deliver against local priorities.

• Arran EcoSavvy has delivered “meet the installer” community energy workshops with a focus on specific topics identified through the Green Islands Project and has established two Action Learning groups enabling 12-16 Green Islands Project participants to make progress with their net zero plans by sharing information, skills and experiences that lead to action.
• The Arran Pioneer Project has used their funding to deliver land-based skills workshops and events that build skills in growing fresh produce for the community, environmentally friendly land management practices for enhanced local climate resilience, arts and crafts, and nature immersion activities. They are also developing prototype models of composting, and growing food for the community.

Enabling a Joined-Up Approach and Empowering Communities to Influence Policy

All Hubs work closely with local authorities and other key partners to ensure local policies are shaped and informed by intelligence of local lived experience through community engagement.

In September 2024 the Climate Hebrides Hub held the first Outer Hebrides Climate Conference (OH-COP1), which marked a milestone in local climate efforts. The event brought together over 115 participants in person and online and featured inspiring presentations from young leaders and local/national experts. Critical climate risks like flooding, coastal erosion, and infrastructure vulnerabilities were addressed throughout the conference.

Climate Hebrides CIC has also supported the development and delivery of Our Climate Story, the citizen science approach to garnering information about climate threats and potential for adaptation across the Outer Hebrides. To date there have been over 220 submissions, gathering stories from people across the islands to help shape climate policy and practice. This project has raised awareness of local issues and proved to be extremely helpful in generating training and support materials, while amplifying the voices of local residents.

The Islands Growth Deal

The Islands Growth Deal has three main themes:

1.supporting growth and future industries.

2.building thriving sustainable communities.

3.leading the way to a low carbon future.

One of the main projects in the third theme and the first to enter its delivery phase is the pan-island, Orkney led, Islands Centre for Net Zero (ICNZ) programme. This project will contribute greatly to achieving our net zero targets by piloting innovation in island transitions to net zero through research and development in collaboration with businesses and communities across Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides. The ICNZ will work with local communities and businesses to navigate pathways to decarbonisation and aims to deliver significant year-on-year reductions in carbon emissions over the ten-year lifespan of the Deal, creating green sustainable jobs. The ICNZ project team is also actively engaged with the Scottish Government‘s Carbon Neutral Islands initiative and envisage the initiatives dovetailing in the future.

The first work package within the ICNZ programme, the Creed Hydrogen Skills and Innovation Centre in Stornoway, commenced delivery in 2024 and has levered in over £1.1 million of funding from the Scottish Government’s Emerging Energy Technologies Fund. The Centre is the Outer Hebrides ICNZ “Energy Transition” project which will be specifically focused on green Hydrogen production.

Carbon Neutral Islands

The Carbon Neutral Islands project continues to support six Scottish islands to reach carbon neutrality in a fair and just way by 2040. In 2024-25, £1 million of capital funding has been distributed through a bidding process with Local Authorities acting as the lead applicant in partnership with the six island communities. Applications to the fund were subject to scrutiny and assessment by the CNI Capital Fund Investment Panel. Successful projects were announced in November 2024 and are listed below.

• Millport 130 Project (Great Cumbrae) – this project aims to install roof-mounted solar PV systems to 130 homes in Millport in a phased approach.
• Islay Forestry Initiative (Islay) – Scottish Government funding will support Phase 3 of the Islay Forestry Initiative to develop a three-acre tree nursery alongside a community orchard and local fuel wood supply chain infrastructure.
• Decarbonisation of Community Buildings (Islay) – this project will improve renewable energy developments for seven community buildings across the island, including a range of solar PV, batteries and heating sources.
• Cobhair Bharraigh (Barra) – this project will decarbonise a vital hub for a large portion of the Barra and Vatersay community that acts as a day care provision, a support centre and a ‘warm space’ during wintertime.
• Habitat Restoration (Raasay) – this project will restore habitats through the removal of invasive species from priority areas using local contractors to combat the issue of seasonal employment of Raasay.
• Inverarish Housing (Raasay) – this project will deliver three affordable rental properties with zero direct emission heating systems through the deep retrofit of vacant homes.

A further £300,000 of capital investment has been directly awarded to Local Anchor Organisations to support continued implementation of the Community Climate Change Action Plans from 2023-24.

In November 2024, we published a progress report setting out the key activities of the project to date. As committed in the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government, we are also developing Financing Strategies for each island which will support them in moving forward with longer-term planning and project development to support delivery of their Community Climate Change Action Plans.

Furthermore, we are working alongside Community Energy Scotland to share learning and good practices to other islands across Scotland. This consists of establishing two Communities of Practice, made up of fifteen islands total, through which they can be supported to deliver:

• carbon audits;
• action plan development;
• feasibility studies; and
• training (in areas such as auditing, or where there are skills gaps preventing islands from taking forward carbon reduction activity). These islands are Tiree, Mull, Bressay, Colonsay, Lewis, Uist, Luing, Shapinsay, North Ronaldsay, Papa Westray, Westray, Sanday, Stronsay and Eday.

Commitment 9.2 Work with island communities to look at alternative solutions to managing waste, particularly in respect of Scotland’s Circular Economy Strategy.

Implementation Route Map 2024

• An updated draft Circular Economy and Waste Route Map was published in January 2024. This included an updated Islands Communities Screening Assessment. Key proposed measures within the Route Map are being designed to account for different geographical requirements. The final Route Map will be published later in 2024.

The Circular Economy Act was unanimously passed in its final parliamentary vote in June 2024 and received Royal Assent on 8 August 2024. The Act establishes the legislative framework to support Scotland’s transition to a zero waste and circular economy, significantly increase reuse and recycling rates, and modernise and improve waste and recycling services.

In December 2024, the Scottish Government published the Circular Economy and Waste Route Map, setting out an ambitious plan to deliver the priorities to 2030 that will help Scotland progress to a circular economy and more sustainable resource use. Key measures within the Route Map are being designed to account for different geographical requirements. The Route Map will ensure we maximise the positive impact of the Circular Economy Act for communities across Scotland – together they will help us achieve our sustainable resource and climate goals.

The Act requires that a statutory circular economy strategy is developed. The strategy will be consulted on in 2025 and published in 2026 and will include consideration of the impacts on islands. The Act itself also included an island communities impact assessment (Circular Economy Bill: island communities impact assessment - gov.scot)

Commitment 9.3 Work with local authorities to help them work towards their statutory targets.

Implementation Route Map 2024

• Local authorities do not currently have individual statutory targets for climate change. The Scottish Government will however continue to provide funding and support to local authorities to assist with their emission reductions efforts.
• The Scottish Government fund the Scottish Climate Intelligence Service. The service will help support planning and delivery of programmes of area-wide emissions reduction across Scotland. Later this year we will hold the first meeting of a new Climate Delivery Framework which will foster a collaborative approach between national and local government to achieve our shared climate change goals. These initiatives, whilst focused at a national level, will also benefit island local authorities.

The Scottish Government is drafting new statutory guidance for public bodies to support them in putting their climate change duties into practice. The guidance highlights the need to consider Island Communities Impact Assessments when developing carbon reduction and adaptation plans, where appropriate.

We are developing a public sector Fleet Decarbonisation Action Plan that will demonstrate a continued commitment to decarbonising the public sector fleet and identify actions that better align public spending with emission reductions. This plan is also expected to reflect the current fiscal and operating environment and recognise the cost and availability of associated technology. Along with a focus on maximising emissions reduction, the action plan will support wider private and third sector fleet decarbonisation through access the infrastructure and aggregation of demand.

Demand aggregation is particularly important in the islands to ensure that the provision of infrastructure is sufficient and well utilised. Transport Scotland is aware that HITRANS hosts a regional EV forum and engages with a wide range of stakeholders, and we will be involved as appropriate to help ensure a just transition for island communities.

Commitment 9.4 Work towards creating net zero emission islands and providing global climate change leadership.

Implementation Route Map 2024

• We will continue to explore opportunities to work with international partners to exchange expertise and best practice on island decarbonisation, including in relation to our Carbon Neutral Islands project.

We are actively collaborating with Nordic Energy Research on their Net Zero Islands Network and will, where feasible, connect with the new European Islands Policy Network to exchange insights.

Commitment 9.5 Put in place resilient adaptation plans on islands that are at greater risk from climate change linking these strongly with development plans for those islands.

Implementation Route Map 2024

• Coastal Change Adaptation Guidance was published in 2023. Continued engagement through the Adaptation Scotland Programme with the Outer Hebrides Community Planning Partnership and Climate Hebrides has supported development of locally led adaptation across the islands. We will also continue to engage with other island stakeholders through national capacity building projects and events.
• An adaptation component runs through the Carbon Neutral Islands project Community Climate Change Action Plans published in June 2023. The islands involved in the project have undertaken a number of projects related to adaptation and resilience building.

During 2024, the Scottish Government-funded Adaptation Scotland programme has continued to support island communities and local authorities through the following:

• Encouraging relevant public bodies to share learning on climate adaptation through the Public Sector Climate Adaptation Network. Members of the network include Argyll and Bute Council, North Ayrshire Council, Shetland Islands Council, and Highlands and Islands Airports.
• In November 2024, new members joined the Network covering island communities, including Orkney Islands Council, and Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar, expanding the membership of the Network across all the Local Authorities with island communities.
• Continuing to participate in and support the work of the Outer Hebrides Community Planning Partnership’s (OHCPP) Climate Change Working Group (CCWG) and supporting the work of the Climate Hebrides partnership and its Outer Hebrides Climate Action Hub activities.
• This also included compilation, analysis, and publication of lived experiences of climate change from the Outer Hebrides Climate Story Map, identifying both stories of how climate change is impacting day to day lives on this islands, as well as highlighting some of the community-led action that is enabling locally led climate adaptation.
• Delivering adaptation training, based around the Community Climate Adaptation Routemap, to two cohorts of Community Development Officers (CDOs) in islands participating in the Carbon Neutral Islands project. A total of 16 CDOs attended the training, from North Ronaldsay, Shapinsay, Sanday, Stronsay, Westray, Luing, Lewis, Mull, Papay, Eday, Bressay, Uist, Tiree, and Colonsay.
• Developing a Gaelic language translation of the Community Climate Adaptation Routemap in partnership with the Argyll and Bute Climate Action Network (ABCAN) and the annual Mód Gaelic language festival team. This will support Gaelic-speaking communities on the islands and across Scotland to engage in locally led climate adaptation action and explore the cultural and heritage impacts and opportunities from climate change and adaptation to climate change.

Across 2024, the Scottish Government developed our third National Adaptation Plan 2024 to 2029 (SNAP3) to give Scots the tools to adapt to climate change. This plan describes what we and our partners are doing to respond to the impacts of climate change. It shows how we will support communities, public services, businesses, and nature to adapt to the changing climate in a way that is fair and inclusive.

• A public consultation workshop to inform the Adaptation Plan was held in Daliburgh, South Uist as part of a wider co-hosted event.
• This workshop brought together more than 20 residents from across the Outer Hebrides to explore how climate change is impacting on their lives, livelihoods, and land, and what action they identified as priorities for their place.
• The design, development and delivery of SNAP3 takes a “place-based” approach. This ensure that national adaptation policy reflects the reality that climate change impacts vary across Scotland depending on location.
• To increase public accessibility and engagement with SNAP3 a number of complementary versions of the final Adaptation Plan were launched, including a young person’s version breaking down the key points of the Plan, which is available via adaptation.scot in Gaelic and English.
• SNAP3 was launched during Scotland’s 2024 Climate Week, which coinciding with the first Outer Hebrides ‘Conference of Parties’ climate conference, known as OH-COP, in Stornoway. Adaptation officials worked closely with OH-COP organisers to ensure that SNAP3 and adaptation policy areas were embedded within the programming to engage attendants on adaptation issues during the event.

Carbon Neutral Islands

We have continued to develop initiatives and expertise throughout the Carbon Neutral Islands Project in regard to climate adaptation and resilience building.

Commitment 9.6 Work closely with island partners, the network owner and all other key stakeholders to deliver existing proposals for electricity transmission links to mainland Scotland.

Implementation Route Map 2024

• We will continue to engage closely with island local authorities and industry to assess the risks and opportunities as Scottish island wind projects approach this year’s Contract for Difference (CfD) allocation round.
• Scottish Ministers will continue to make clear to Ofgem that its decisions on island links must take the net zero imperative more fully into account, and incorporate a more flexible approach to what are vital strategic investments.

The Scottish Government is working with all stakeholders to ensure that reforms to, and expansion of, the electricity grid are robust and work for Scotland, including our island communities. While regulation of electricity networks is reserved to the UK Government, we are engaging with them, regulators, NESO and Scotland’s Transmission Owners (such as SSEN) to enable the timely delivery of critical energy infrastructure, including those in Orkney, Skye and the Western Isles. These transmission links will support continued growth of renewables and the decarbonisation of our island communities, while creating a host of wider economic and environmental benefits across the islands.

The new Shetland’s 600MW HVDC transmission link connection to the mainland GB electricity system will supply Shetland’s demand needs for most of the time. However, a standby solution is also required to ensure homes and businesses continue to receive the power they need during transmission system outages. The Gremista Grid Supply Point project enables the timely transition of Lerwick Power Station into standby mode next year, meaning it will provide only back-up supply in the case of a cable outage, like the other diesel power stations on the Scottish islands.

In time, it is hoped that these generators will be replaced either with additional connections to the mainland national grid (reducing their usage as emergency supply use will be more sporadic), or through renewable and storage technology (such as batteries combined with solar/wind), although it is likely that a small number of islands generators will still be needed for back-up power.

We continue to work with SSEN to drive forward progress in these areas, encouraging the use of alternative, non-fossil-fuel based solutions to diesel for back-up supply, such as utilising Hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as a transition fuel, and to support the establishment of new connections between islands and mainland.

Commitment 9.7 Work with Resilience Partnerships and energy providers to encourage them to focus on the resilience of islands’ energy supply networks.

Implementation Route Map 2024

• The Scottish Government Energy Networks Strategic Leadership Group will continue to be an influential forum for discussing the development of Scotland’s energy networks.

Security of electricity supply is a reserved matter and is delivered by the National Grid as National Electricity System Operator (NESO) across the whole of Great Britain under regulation from Ofgem. While policy and regulation in respect of electricity networks is reserved to the UK Government, these are critical matters for the Scottish Government. We have regular engagement with NESO, Ofgem and the networks companies regarding their business plans, and their wider activities, to ensure they reflect the Scottish Government’s strategic interests, policies and ambitions.

Commitment 9.8 Work with transport-related stakeholders to have the most energy-efficient and climate-friendly transport services possible across the islands.

Implementation Route Map 2024

• Transport Scotland has consulted on developing an Aviation Strategy. The responses are helping us determine how commitments that are relevant to the Highlands and Islands region can be progressed.
• We will continue to examine the scope for utilising hybrid and low carbon energy sources in the public sector marine fleet as part of our vessel replacement programme.
• As part of the Islands Connectivity Plan, we will explore and consult on pathways to zero/low emission ferry transport.
• We will support all island authorities to develop public EV charging strategy and expansion plans.
• We continue to support island authorities to work collaboratively to apply for the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund, which aims to leverage £60 million of public and private investment to increase the size of the public charging network, with a particular focus on areas where commercial investment on its own is not commercially viable.

We have supported collaborative working to develop a joint EV Infrastructure Fund project to support future investment and operation of public EV charging networks. The collaboration includes Orkney, Shetland, Western Isles and Argyll and Bute councils with HITRANS taking a lead partner role. The project will reflect the unique challenges and opportunities that exist across Scotland’s islands and support the aims of the EV Infrastructure Fund and meets the needs of the island communities.

The project has identified a key challenge as there is limited scope for private investment in public EV charging across the islands, and so a phased approach to the project has been collectively agreed. We will continue working with HITRANS and other partners over the coming years to ensure delivery of a project which is appropriately scaled, takes an innovative approach to attracting private investment and contributes towards a just transition to electric vehicles.

In addition we have awarded funding through the EV Infrastructure Fund to support a collaborative project covering the north and east of Scotland, including the Inner Hebrides in the Highland Council area, and a project covering Ayrshire including Arran and Cumbrae.

The Scottish Government’s Aviation Statement was published in July 2024. It contains various actions to encourage decarbonisation across the Highlands and Islands including a Review of the Highlands and Islands Air Discount Scheme to consider how it could be made fairer and more effective, and to ensure it is providing value for money. A review will also be undertaken into the governance arrangements for local authority and HIAL operated airports to consider how economies of scale can be realised. This will not, however, include any discussion on the ownership of non-HIAL airports.

Commitment 9.9 Continue working to unleash the potential of renewable energy as both a way to mitigate climate change and as a driver of sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

Implementation Route Map 2024

• Our forthcoming Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan will set out our vision for a future net zero energy system that delivers affordable, secure and clean energy and provides high quality jobs and economic opportunities across Scotland. It will also set out policies to support a managed transition from fossil fuels in line with the Scottish Government’s climate change goals, alongside interventions and policies in areas such as skills, investment and supply chains, to help ensure that this is a just transition, including for Scotland’s island communities.
• The Scottish Government will continue to engage extensively with UK Government, Ofgem, National Grid ESO and industry stakeholders regarding wholesale electricity market reform and the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA).
• Reforms to the wholesale market could have significant impacts for all market participants including consumers, especially those in Scotland’s rural and island communities where there are higher rates of fuel poverty.
• We have commissioned research to explore the potential impacts locational marginal pricing (LMP) could have for our net zero and just transition ambitions.

We are committed to working collaboratively with other governments to accelerate progress towards Scotland’s economic and net zero targets. The UK, Scottish and Welsh governments have jointly commissioned the National Energy System Operator (NESO) to produce a Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) for Great Britain. This SSEP will be used to help plan the future of the energy system for the whole of the United Kingdom. This more strategic approach will help cut grid connection waiting times, reducing overall system costs and accelerating the UK Government’s clean energy superpower mission.

We have continued to engage extensively with the UK Government, NESO, Ofgem, and industry stakeholders on electricity market reform to ensure the interests of all Scottish consumers and stakeholders are represented.

To inform our policy development and engagement, we commissioned ClimateXChange to carry out an independent study on the impacts that Locational Marginal Pricing (LMP) could have for Scotland. We continue to build our evidence base to explore the potential impacts of LMP, including for our Island communities. As part of this ongoing analysis and engagement, we helped facilitate the first Electricity Markets Forum hosted by ClimateXChange, Edinburgh University and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, in December 2024. The purpose of this forum was to facilitate discussion between a wide range of stakeholders, including an Island Council representative, to increase our understanding of the potential impacts of LMP for Scotland.

We published the draft Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan, setting out how to support Scotland’s just transition to a green economy. The judgements and issues in the Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan are informed and influenced by recent developments in the UK Government’s energy policy and by court decisions.

This is a rapidly changing landscape and we are taking time to reflect on those developments before drawing any conclusions and publishing any final strategy.

Commitment 9.10 Work with communities, crofters, farmers and landowners to expand forests and woodlands on the islands, recognising wider land-use objectives.

Implementation Route Map 2024

• Scottish Forestry will continue to support sustainable woodland creation on the islands through the Forestry Grant Scheme.
• Scottish Forestry will also continue to work with a range of partners including the Woodland Trust and Point and Sandwick Trust to deliver the Croft Woodlands Project, which covers all islands.

We continue to support sustainable woodland creation through the Forestry Grant Scheme.

The Forestry Grant Scheme includes a specific premium option for crofters in the Northern Isles, Western Isles and crofting counties, where establishing trees can be more expensive. We continue to work with partners, including Woodland Trust Scotland and the Point and Sandwick Trust, to deliver the Croft Woodlands Project. This project covers all the islands and offers free advice and support to crofters to plant and manage woodlands. The project has supported significant increases in woodland planting by crofters.

We also continue to support the award winning Integrating Trees Network, a farmer-led initiative hosting free on-farm and virtual events across Scotland. It brings together farmers, crofters, and technical experts to share practical knowledge, experiences, and advice about the processes, objectives, challenges and outcomes of integrating trees into agricultural businesses. It also highlights the numerous benefits trees can offer, from those that support the agricultural business to the many climate and biodiversity benefits. With practical knowledgeable contributions from Skye and Shetland hosts/speakers at virtual events.

Commitment 9.11 Put the themes of meeting emissions targets and adapting to the effects of climate change at the heart of the preparation of National Planning Framework 4.

Commitment Fulfilled.

This commitment was fulfilled. Please see the National Islands Plan Annual Report 2022 for details.

Commitment 9.12 Support the adaptation of Scotland’s aquaculture and fishing industry.

Implementation Route Map 2024

• We will continue to ensure island fishing representatives contribute to the development of annual fisheries negotiations strategy and priorities.
• We will continue to identify and fill priority knowledge gaps, working in partnership with our stakeholders to develop a fisheries climate change action plan and building on work already undertaken in this area.
• As set out in our Vision for Sustainable Aquaculture, we will continue to support the aquaculture sector to put in place climate resilience plans to manage the risks of climate change by 2029.

Co-management is key part of our Fisheries Management Strategy, and we continue to work closely with stakeholders around shared sea fisheries outcomes and challenges. A range of stakeholders, including representatives from the islands, play an active role in shaping our annual sea fisheries negotiations strategy and priorities, and we draw on their expertise and experience to help shape our approach.

We remain committed to working with industry sectors to support sea fishing and aquaculture to play their part in Scotland achieving net zero emissions and this will include delivering emissions reductions. We will support the sectors to develop climate resilience plans to identify the risks of a changing environment and enable adaptation to challenges such as water scarcity, warming seas, changing habitats, storms and fish health issues.

The Scottish Government has continued to undertake activities which contribute to an improved understanding on potential climate change impacts on the marine environment and approaches to adaptation for Scottish aquaculture and sea fisheries.

We have commissioned and completed a range of research projects to develop our understanding of emissions from sea fisheries vessels and have also provided Marine Fund Scotland funding to Fisheries Innovation and Sustainability (FIS) who, in partnership with Macduff Ship Design, have developed detailed concept designs for net zero fishing vessels.

We have also commissioned research to progress our thinking around adaptation to climate change in relation to sea fisheries. As part of our next steps we will continue to work with stakeholders to further improve our knowledge base and to develop firm actions, and to embed climate change into our fisheries policies.

Through the Marine Climate Change Impact Partnerships (MCCIP), the Scottish Government has supported revisions to the evidence reviews on topics including aquaculture, as well as the publication of a policy brief that makes recommendations to aquaculture stakeholders on managing climate change impacts. We have also continued to support the development of climate change adaptation technologies by co-funding a research studentship with the Scottish Association for Marine Science that is exploring the use of new technologies (Imaging Flow Cytobot) to develop an early warning tool for harmful algal blooms which can negatively impact the industry. The Scottish Government also continued to monitor and publish a range of ocean environmental parameters through the Scottish Coastal Observatory and Offshore Monitoring Programme, and regularly report on the state of Scotland’s oceanic climate in national and international assessments.

Commitment 9.13 Work with a range of stakeholders to develop an action plan to improve resilience to properties at flood risk.

Implementation Route Map 2024

• We will continue to work with stakeholders to deliver the Living with Flooding: Action Plan.

The Scottish Government continues to support island local authorities to reduce flood risk to communities. We provided £38 million of funding to North Ayrshire Council for the Millport Coastal Flood Protection Scheme on the Isle of Cumbrae, which was completed in 2024.

The Scottish Government published a National Flood Resilience Strategy in December 2024 in direct response to the climate emergency and the challenges that Scotland faces. The Strategy sets out a vision for a flood resilient Scotland through to 2045 and beyond and focuses on three key themes, People, Places and Processes. The Strategy puts communities at the heart of the process and supports an increase in the range and rate of delivery of actions both to manage our flood exposure, and to reduce the impacts of flooding when it does occur. This will allow the Strategy to be applied in a range of contexts and according to the needs of different communities, including island communities.

The Scottish Government also provides funding to the Scottish Flood Forum who offer advice and information to individuals across Scotland to help them protect their homes (or to recover from) flooding.

Commitment 9.14 Work with local authorities to strengthen recycling and food waste services in island communities.

Implementation Route Map 2024

• The Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill was approved by the Scottish Parliament in June 2024. Section 12 requires Ministers to publish a code of practice on household waste recycling, which is to be co-designed with local government. This code can make different provision for different local authority areas to account for local need, context and availability of infrastructure. Section 13 provides powers for Scottish Ministers to set targets for local authorities relating to household waste recycling. Targets will be agreed with local authorities to ensure they are practical and achievable.

The Circular Economy (Scotland) Act was passed unanimously in Parliament in June 2024. This includes a requirement to develop a statutory code of practice. The Circular Economy and Waste Route Map was published on 18 December 2024 and sets out that we will facilitate a co-design process with local authorities, including island authorities, for high-quality, high-performing household recycling and reuse services by 2026.

Commitment 9.15 Work closely with key stakeholders to ensure that the voices of islanders are fully heard, achieving a just transition to net zero, and that islands benefit from the many opportunities associated with a green and sustainable economy.

Implementation Route Map 2024

• An Island Communities Impact Assessment informed by engagement with island stakeholders will accompany the publication of the forthcoming Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan (ESJTP).
• We will also publish a sectoral Land Use and Agriculture Just Transition plan, which will be coproduced with relevant stakeholders. Impacts on islands will be a key consideration.

The Scottish Government is taking action to make sure that communities, including those on our islands, see tangible benefits from Scotland’s clean power revolution. In the last 12 months, more than £30 million worth of benefits have been offered to Scottish communities, supported by our voluntary Good Practice Principles. This includes around £12 million from projects based in local authorities with islander communities.

Despite the powers to mandate community benefits and shared ownership being reserved, we continue to take practical action to strengthen these opportunities in Scotland alongside growing investment in our community energy sector.

We are currently consulting on the Good Practice Principles for onshore and offshore renewable energy developments, to ensure our national guidance is fit for the future. The consultation will run until the 11 April 2025 and we would encourage island communities, businesses and everyone with an interest in our energy system to take part to ensure that this guidance supports sustainable and meaningful outcomes.

However, there is a limit to what the Scottish Government can do within current powers. The UK Government is reviewing its approach to community benefit and we continue to call on them to consult on mandating benefits from onshore net zero energy projects to ensure that communities see the maximum benefits from renewable energy.

We also continue to invest in our Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) and have awarded over £67 million through CARES to date, supporting over 960 projects and the installation of 63 MW of renewable energy. We have announced a total of £9 million in CARES funding for 2025-26. This includes £3.5 million in 2025-26 for a new Community Energy Generation Growth Fund, £1 million in dedicated funding for development support to help communities to develop early ideas for projects and £4.5 million to help communities to decarbonise their buildings.