Climate change duties: statutory guidance for public bodies

References

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2 Equality and Human Rights Commission. Equality and Human Rights Monitor: Is Scotland Fairer? Equality and Human Rights Commission; 2023.

3 Breil, M.; Zandersen, M.; Pishmisheva, P.; Branth Pedersen, A.; Romanovska, L.; Coninx I., Rogger, M., Johnson, K. (2021) ‘Leaving No One Behind’ in Climate Resilience Policy and Practice in Europe. European Topic Centre on Climate Change impacts, Vulnerability and Adaptation. Technical Paper 2021/2.

4 Adaptation Scotland. Climate hazards and resilience in the workplace. Edinburgh: Adaptation Scotland; 2022.

5 Scottish Government. Fairer Scotland Duty: guidance for public bodies, page 15 “Defining ‘Strategic Decisions’”. Scottish Government, 2021.

6 Sudmant, A., Boyle, D., Higgins-Lavery, R. et al. Climate policy as social policy? A comprehensive assessment of the economic impact of climate action in the UK. J Environ Stud Sci 15, 476–490 (2025).

7 Sarah Whitmee, et al. Pathways to a healthy net-zero future: report of the Lancet Pathfinder Commission. The Lancet, Volume 403, Issue 10421, 67-110; 2024.

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20 Further information on the capability approach can be found in Standford Encyclopaedia of Philosophy, The Capability Approach (2020). Further resources and academic papers are referenced on this page.

21 P.K. Lorgelly, et al. The Capability Approach: developing an instrument for evaluating public health interventions. University of Glasgow, Section of Public Health and Health Policy; 2008.

22 Sabina Alkire. Choosing dimensions: the capability approach and multidimensional poverty. Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative, University of Oxford; 2007. ISBN 1-904049-87-7

23 Boram Kimhur. How to Apply the Capability Approach to Housing Policy? Concepts, Theories and Challenges. Housing, Theory and Society, 37(3), 257–277.

24 Kate Raworth. Doughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st-Century Economist. Published by Random House; 2017. ISBN 1847941370.

25 Kate Raworth. Exploring Doughnut Economics.

26 United Nations. Sustainable Development Goals. The content of this publication has not been approved by the United Nations and does not reflect the views of the United Nations or its officials or Member States.

27 Lance Gunderson and C.S. Holling (eds). Panarchy: understanding transformations in human and natural systems. Published by Island Press; 2002. ISBN 1559638575, 9781559638579

28 Jo Smith. Planning peatland windfarms with carbon calculations. University of Aberdeen, undated. Accessed 17 November 2023.

29 Jenni Monet. ‘Green colonialism’: Indigenous world leaders warn over west’s climate strategy. The Guardian; 2023. Accessed 17 November 2023.

30 Greenhouse Gas Protocol. Scope 3 Frequently Asked Questions, question 1. GHG Protocol; 2022.

31 Climate Change Committee. Local Authorities and the Sixth Carbon Budget. Climate Change Committee; 2020.

32 Scottish Water. Scottish Water Climate Change Adaptation Plan 2024. Edinburgh: Scottish Water; 2024.

33 World Health Organization. COP26 special report on climate change and health: the health argument for climate action. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2021. Accessed on 30 November 2023.

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35 UK Health Security Agency. Health Effects of Climate Change in the UK: State of Evidence 2023. UK Government; 2023.

36 Scottish Government. Scotland’s Population Health Framework. Edinburgh; Scottish Government; 2025.

37 Public Health Scotland. PHS climate change and sustainability strategic approach 2023–2026 Working together to build a greener, fairer, healthier future. Edinburgh: Public Health Scotland; 2023. Accessed on 30 November 2023.

38 Kovats S and Brisley R. Health, communities and the built environment. In: The Third UK Climate Change Risk Assessment Technical Report [Betts RA, Haward AB, Pearson KV (eds.)]. Prepared for the Climate Change Committee, London; 2021.

39 Public Health Scotland. PHS climate change and sustainability strategic approach 2023–2026 Working together to build a greener, fairer, healthier future. Edinburgh: Public Health Scotland; 2023. Accessed on 30 November 2023.

40 Public Health Scotland, Adaptation Scotland, Improvement Service. Working together to build climate-resilient, healthy and equitable places: A briefing for local government and partners. Edinburgh: Public Health Scotland; 2023. Accessed on 30 November 2023.

41 Consumer Scotland. How to meet the consumer duty: guidance for public authorities, section 1.8. Edinburgh: Consumer Scotland; 2025.

42 Clare Wharmby, et al. Carbon Scenario Tool Pathfinder Project: Recommendations for building local authority decision-making capability to deliver area-wide net zero strategies. Edinburgh Climate Change Institute and Scottish Cities Alliance; 2022.

43 Sections 17(1) and 17(2) of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.

44 Adaptation Scotland. Adaptation Capability Framework. Adaptation Scotland; 2024.

45 Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change (IPCC). The Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate: Special Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press; 2022.

46 Public Health Scotland, Adaptation Scotland and the Improvement Service. Working together to build climate-resilient, healthy and equitable place, A briefing for local government and partners. Public Health Scotland; 2023.

47 Scottish Government. Using intersectionality to understand structural inequality in Scotland: evidence synthesis. Scottish Government; 2022.

48 Climate Change Committee. Independent Assessment of UK Climate Risk, Advice to Government for the UK’s third Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA3). Climate Change Committee; 2021.

49 Scottish Fiscal Commission. Fiscal Sustainability Perspectives: Climate Change. Scottish Fiscal Commission; 2024.

50 NHSScotland Workforce, 30 June 2023, published 5 September 2023.

51 Costello, Anthony et al. Managing the Health Effects of Climate Change. The Lancet, Volume 373, Isuue 9676, 1693-1733; 2009.

52 Watts, Nick et al. Health and climate change: policy responses to protect public health. The Lancet, Volume 386, No. 10006, 1861-1914; 2015.

53 World Health Organisation. Alliance for action on climate change and health (ATACH). Accessed on 23 October 2025.

54 Scottish Government . The Adult Social Care Workforce in Scotland. Accessed 23 October 2025.