Scotland's draft Climate Change Plan 2026-2040: consultation analysis

Appendix A – Responses to Q19 and Q20

Table 3 - Cited data sources and evidence in response to Q19

Academic Studies

Heriot-Watt University

And the collaboration they have with Tina Marshall Consultancy Ltd.

Climate Crisis: informing Scotland’s actionable mitigation and adaptation response to water scarcity (Scotland’s Centre for Expertise on Waters - CREW)

Research related to identifying water scarcity risks by highlighting current challenges and providing actionable recommendations.

Understanding the relationship between water scarcity and land use in private water supply catchments – a review (Scotland’s Centre for Expertise on Waters - CREW)

Research identifying the potential effects that changes in land use might have on the amount of water availability.

SRUC

SRUC College research, which varies from climate change, food security, and land preservation.

James Hutton Institute

Research conducted by JHI, which primarily focuses on environmental science, agriculture, and sustainability.

Sudmant et al., 2024

An academic article focusing on the modifiable areal unit problem (data scaling problem) and its consequences on climate action.

Phillips et al., 2025

Atlas identifying the co-benefits and co-costs of net zero transition in the UK.

Sudmant, A., Higgins Lavery, R., Faulkner, J., Boyle, D., & Williamson, J. (2024)

An assessment of three dimensions of costs and benefits on the economic impact of climate action in six urban regions in the UK.

Peng et al., 2025

Research on the ocean-surface downward longwave radiation and the effects on the total column cloud liquid and ice water.

Feldman et al., 2015

Research on the atmospheric greenhouse effects and their relation to anthropogenic emissions.

Miner et al., 2024

Research on the effects of car use and related automobility infrastructure on the environment.

Calvillo Muñoz & Martiskainen, 2025

Research specifically identifying the effects of green choices on people with protected characteristics and actionable recommendations.

Turner et al., 2024

Research addressing fuel poverty and the targeted actions of government spending on energy-efficient resources, and how it can benefit individual households.

Anderson et al., 2023

Research on water poverty and the inaccessibility of safe, affordable water, highlighting an often-disregarded inaccessibility that most prominently rural and BAME communities experience.

Macaulay Development Trust, Dr Valero

Research on water security and the potential actions and innovations that can tackle such concerns.

Saban and Wiens, 2025

Research article identifying patterns of the current extinction crisis, as well as the effects of climate change on plants and animals.

Data

European Commission

SG internal data

Scottish Government internal data on indicators related to environmental changes.

OBR report , see also here

Report exploring the financial benefits of transitioning to net zero, compared to the financial implications that unchecked climate change will produce.

SEPA flood risk maps

Map identifying the long-term risks per area in Scotland.

Fuel Poverty statistics

Regional Emissions Inventories

Habitat and species mapping from Local Environmental Resources centres

Independent Age’s Older People’s Economic Wellbeing Index

National poll of people aged 66+ assessing their wellbeing, including perceptions of home energy and transport concerns, among other indicators.

Local authority housing condition

Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD)

Index specifically identifying high levels of deprivation in Scotland.

Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategy (LHEES) datasets

Datasets identifying heat demand and specific interventions by area.

NatureScot Habitat map and Land cover data

Maps that identify the different land and habitat use.

LA transport

Local air quality monitoring

SSEN Distribution

Distribution Network Operator (DNO) is responsible for delivering power while developing electricity networks to achieve net zero.

Labour market

Land ownership

Regional investment

The Rail Customer Experience Survey

Industry-wide research identifying customer experiences.

Transport Scotland

Annual Reports collect various information related to transport in Scotland, including EV uptake and regional adoption patterns.

Cycling Scotland

Public Health Scotland

Identifying the links between net zero and public health, including housing quality and air pollution.

Skills Development Scotland

Employment hub identifying training, skills uptake, and employment outcomes.

Scottish Household Survey

Survey identifying socioeconomic and behavioural indicators while transitioning to net zero.

Farm Business Survey

Research on the farm business performance across England.

Farm advisory service usageMet OfficeONS Data

Grid Watch

GB Fuel type power generation production

GB Renewables Map

Map indicating the different renewable energy developments.

National policies or strategies

Reporting on Scottish rail decarbonisation and strategy

Scottish Climate Intelligence Service (SCIS)

Annual Impact Report collects data through all LAs to identify the challenges and effective interventions.

SCCS’s Fiscal measures reportLocal Biodiversity Action PlanJust Transition principles

UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard

Evidenced Carbon considerations, which can be useful for the qualification of the impact assessment.

National security assessments:

(a) Global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse, and national security

(b) Nature security assessment on global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse, and national security

Drawing on a broad range of sources, they assess different scenarios and weigh the risks of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation.

Minimum income standardCommunity place plans

Scotland against Spin

Research materials from various sources, specifically identifying issues and concerns about wind development.

Pesticide Action Network UK

Research on agriculture-sector reforms, with research on health impacts and environmental damages.

The Just Transition Communities Project

Reports on community engagements, community energies, CYPs, and everyday lived experiences of just and fair transition.

Green Island Project

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions baseline assessment for the Isles of Arran and Cumbrae on the process of achieving net zero.

Organic Action Plan

Action plan of the Commission to identify the intersection between the food supply chain and the Green Deal’s sustainability objectives.

Clearing the gridlock: connecting Britain (NESO)

Data on the new pipeline connections results.

AR6 Synthesis Report (IPCC)

Report summarising the existing knowledge on climate change, the impacts and effects, as well as potential mitigation and adaptation action points.

Scottish House Condition Survey , also see here.

National survey highlighting the physical conditions of Scotland’s homes and the householders’ experiences.

QMS Red Meat Industry Profile

Report identifying the importance of the red meat industry in Scotland, and statistics on livestock and farming outputs.

Equality and Human Rights Monitor 2023: Is Scotland Fairer?

Report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, identifying various data, with a particular interest in transportation difficulties of people with disabilities.

Reports

MCS Figures Changeworks Perfect Storm

Report on identifying the structural barriers that lead to fuel poverty across rural Scotland.

DEAL- Doughnut Economics Lab WeALL - Wellbeing Economy Alliance

Consumer Scotland

Research on Consumer perceptions of and engagement with transition to net zero.

The Social and Economic Benefits of Home Building in Scotland - Homes for Scotland

Report on Home Building and its significant social and economic effects benefiting the local community.

Scotland's Rural Voice 2025 - Diffley Partnership

Report of a Scotland-wide survey of more than 3,000 people, identifying the most prevalent issues and concerns of people living in rural areas.

Existing Housing Need in Scotland - Diffey Partnership

Report of a survey of 13,690 Scottish households demonstrating household needs with actionable recommendations in place.

Climate action hub quarterly reportsClimate change committee

Greenspace Scotland

Database of projects evaluated using the Social Return on Investment methodology.

South Lanarkshire Council State of the Environment Report

Biennial report on the South Lanarkshire environment, identifying issues, trends, and the overall picture of the area.

Energy Savings Trust

Public Bodies Climate Change Duties Report

Responses to the draft statutory guidance of public bodies and their responsibilities in adhering to climate change requirements.

Hill of Fare windfarm development proposal

Proposal detailing the potential development of wind energy.

Scottish agriculture emissions and nitrogen useSheep-specific emissions and mitigation potential

Forest Research

Various statistics related to woodland, forestry, and primary wood processing in the UK.

Confor

Data on wood fibre consumption and the sustainable use of woodlands.

CWA2024

Delivering a place-based, net zero embodied carbon strategy for Scotland (Balance)

Report by the architectural firm Anderson Bell + Christie on delivering houses that will assist in reaching net zero.

Ofgem RIIO-ED2 Business Plans

Report on how RIIO-ED2 will be assessed.

Blogs/Newspapers

Andrew Muirhead blog:

Everyday Talking Points and CarbonCanny Substack

Personal opinion blog posts on various topics concerning climate change policies.

The Honest Broker

Personal opinion blog post on the effects of climate change on people’s lives.

How Madrid built its metro cheaply

Personal opinion blog post on tube expenses.

JRF Tackling Economic Insecurity

Personal opinion blog post suggesting the link between rebuilding trust by tackling economic insecurity.

Object Now

AI community-focused platform supporting planning objections.

Communities B4 Power Companies

Campaign against the SSEN and Scottish Government Plans.

Bylines Scotland

Article on the impact of whole foods.

Table 4 - Table of cited case studies and examples in response to Q20

UK Cobenefits Atlas

Aberdeen University paper 2021 wind power production

Carbon Canny Substack: Take steps to reduce your gas bill

Blogpost by Andrew Muirhead

Arran Eco Savvy: Green Islands Project

A project dedicated to supporting the islands of Arran and Cumbrae to accelerate the path to net zero carbon emissions by 2030.

Blair Hill Windfarm (Hands off our Hills)

Bristol Climate & Partnerships: Community Climate Action (CCA) project

A project supporting communities lead their climate action goals while improving quality of life.

CalEnviro Screen

Centre for Energy Policy

CIHT 2023 63% report: How can we reduce emissions by 63% in a decade- lessons from the highways sector

City and Region Growth Deals impact assessment

Climate Hubs

Community Woodland Association: Case Studies

Construction of pipeline/cable between Lewis and Inverness (Beauly)

CWA

Sustainable Dundee: Dundee Climate Fund webpage

East Lammermuir Energy Projects Partnership

Edinburgh: A World Leading Sustainable Festival City

A series of case studies illustrating how the Edinburgh Festivals are responding to the climate emergency.

Energy Saving Trust: East Cambusmoon Holiday Cottages

A case study about the installation of renewable energy and adaptation of low-carbon transport in East Cambusmoon Holiday Cottages.

Fanellan substation

Fife Care at Home Collaborative

Flow Country in Forsinard

Forres MorayCAN/Buckie Thistle collaboration

Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere

Germany's automotive sector

Gibbs, 2021; Phillips, Wright and Tomlinson, 2021

Glasgow City Region Climate Adaptation Strategy and Actions Plan Impact Assessments

Green Champions Cairngorms Connect Wee Forests

GreenGenUK: Commercial Solar Atlantic Reach – Newquay, Cornwall

A case study about solar power installation in Newquay Holiday Park.

Helmcke, C, Risucci, G & Waltz: Resolving the energy trilemma across the Scottish islands: policy report

Helmcke, C., Jenkins, E. G., & Cole, L. E. S.: Net Zero and the peatland carbon frontier: contesting incentives for ecosystem restoration in Scotland’s Western Isles

Highland Adapts programme economic and climate impact assessments

Highlands & Islands investment appraisal

Hill of Fare Windfarm (HOFWIG)

Huntly Development Trust community-led renewables

Impact of alternative energy developments in Caithness and Shetland

Infrastructure Investment Plan

Island Communities Impact AssessmentIsle of Arran losing fresh water reservoirs

Just Transition Commission: Case Studies

Kintore-Tealing pylons

Land-based Pre-apprenticeship Scheme

Local Place Plans

MLWG exemplar island delivery case studies

Moray Flow Park

Walker I., Tapp A., Davis A.: Motonormativity: How social norms hide a major public health hazard

North Ayrshire Community Climate Action Plans

North Sea old production

NSA Next Generation programme

Other European countries

Pesticide Action Network

Public Health Scotland: Place and Wellbeing: Movement Theme. Evidence informed links from transport to health.

A briefing about how transportation aspects affect health and health inequalities.

Public Health Scotland: Road space reallocation in Scotland

Papers investigating evidence about road space reallocation’s potential contribution to health and assessment of potential impacts on health within Scotland, including future suggestions.

Public Health Scotland: A route map to achieve a 20% reduction in car kilometres by 2030: a health impact assessment scoping exercise.

Reports summarising key impacts, recommendations, and feedback from the health impact scoping workshops held by PHS regarding the four proposed outcomes set out by SG as a means to reduce car kilometres travelled in Scotland by 20% until 2030.

Public Health Scotland: Community Wealth Building in Scotland: A health impact assessment

Documents presenting findings of a health impact assessment on the potential impacts of the implementation of community wealth building in Scotland and recommending further actions for health benefits.

Public Health Scotland: Transport poverty: a public health issue

A briefing about transport poverty, a multidimensional description beyond the transport system setting out causes and impacts on health and health inequalities.

Previous EQIAs undertaken by local authoritiesRailway and public transport in Europe

Regional Just Transition planning work in the North East of ScotlandScotland against spin website: Wind energy FAQs

Scotland’s Area‑Based Schemes

Scotland’s Peatland ACTION programme

Scottish Classical Sustainability Group: International Travel Survey for Musicians

A survey focusing on gathering evidence for international touring from musicians with the aim of enhancing musicians’ opinions representation in plans around environmental sustainability.

Scottish Climate Intelligence Service

Scottish Government's Active Travel Infrastructure

Scottish Just Transition Fund pilots

Scottish Classical Sustainability Group (SCSG): Classical Music & Train Travel in Scotland 2022-23

The report identifies key barriers for train travelling by Scottish classical music organisations, highlighting the support needed to achieve net zero goals.

Shetland's oil and gas transition

Shibe, 2025

Spittal to Loch Buidhe to Beauly 400kv OH pylon line

SRUC's Steven Thomson et al

SSEN Transmission Caithness-Beauly-Peterhead

Strathbrock Community Garden (BUGS)

Sustainability developments in Croatia on waste policy

Τurbines on Gigha and the electricity on Eigg

UK adaptation Scotland assessment tools

UK Biodiversity and national security report

ULEZ in Glasgow

Walk Wheel Cycle Trust: The case for gender budgeting in active travel

Warmer Homes Scotland

Watt-Logic: Investigation of whether the electrification grid can cope with the decarbonisation targets

Work by Ilian Moundib and Jean-Marc Jancovici

Yorkshire Dales wool log initiative