Climate change - national adaptation plan 2024 to 2029: consultation - easy read

The 5 Outcomes

Outcome 1: Nature Connects - Nature connects across land, coast, and sea.

Nature must be our top priority when we tackle climate change. We have to protect and fix the damage that has been done to our natural environment.

Nature is not only found in the countryside. Nature is part of our towns, cities, and villages too.

Climate change is the biggest threat to Scotland’s wildlife. Changing weather, extreme heat and wildfires are putting animals and plants in danger across Scotland.

Strong, healthy environments can help us deal with climate change. Nature supports communities to adapt to climate emergencies like floods, rising sea-levels heatwaves, and wildfires.

We need to join up green areas between and within the countryside, towns and cities. We call these ‘nature networks’. Making cities and towns greener is an important part of tackling climate change.

Question 6: Which are the most important actions the Scottish Government should take? Please tick as many as you want:

• More trees and green spaces in built-up places for flood protection and cooling.
• More joined up natural areas (“nature networks”).
• Managing pests and diseases which will get worse with climate change.
• Restoring forests and peatland.
• Making natural coastal barriers stronger, like dunes.

Question 7: Which specific actions should the Scottish Government take forward? Please tell us in the box below:

Question 8: What would you like to see improved in your local nature space like a park, canal, woodland or beach? Please tell us in the box below:

Outcome 2: Communities - Communities are climate friendly, healthy and fair.

People shape places, and places shape people. Where we are born, grow, live and work has a big impact on our health, wellbeing, opportunities, and experiences.

The climate emergency will change Scotland’s places. Challenges like heatwaves, flooding, and rising sea level are affecting our countryside, towns, and cities.

We know these changes will only get worse in the future. Places will need to cope with the effects of climate change to protect our communities. We also need to reduce emissions of harmful gases that lead to further changes.

Our places have always changed over time. We can find local solutions to a global problem that meet each community’s needs. These solutions will be fair and make the most of what each community has.

Scotland's most disadvantaged people and communities will be affected worst by climate change. How we deal with climate change can improve everyone’s health and wellbeing in a fair way.

Government, communities, businesses, and other organisations need to work together to tackle climate change and improve people’s wellbeing. We need to imagine, learn, and adapt together.

Question 9: How could others support you (or your organisation) to adapt to climate change over the next five years? Please tell us in the box below:

Question 10: How should different groups work together and support each other when adapting to climate change? Please tell us in the box below:

Outcome 3: Public Services - Public services are working together to adapt to climate change.

We need to work together for the same outcomes if we are going to tackle climate change. We need to do this fairly and include everyone.

Public services are a very important part of this. Organisations can work better and save money when adapting to climate change becomes a part of everyday life.

The law says public sector organisations have to work with the Adaptation Plan and report their progress every year.

We need to do everything we can to cut our greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible. This will help avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

The Scottish Government’s scientific experts say that everyone should adapt to global temperatures rising. We should be ready for a rise by 2 degrees Centigrade, but also plan for a possible rise in temperature of up to 4 degrees Centigrade.

Question 11: Do you agree that Scotland should plan for a range of different future climate conditions?

Yes/No

Please explain your answer in the box below:

Question 12: Would you find it useful to have information on the climate conditions to plan for when making a long-term decision or investment?

Yes/No

If yes, what sort of information or advice would you find useful? Please tell us in the box below:

Outcome 4: Economy, business and industry - Businesses and industries are making changes to manage the impacts of climate change, and are exploring new opportunities brought by the changes

Scotland’s economy needs to adapt to climate change. We know the cost of climate change to the economy is high. We have to take action now and keep working on this in the future.

Climate change also brings opportunities. We will need new businesses, jobs, and equipment to help us adapt to climate change and extreme weather hazards.

Over the next 5 years, The Scottish Government and private businesses can work together as ‘Team Scotland’. They can deliver the actions needed to transform the Scottish economy.

Businesses and communities will be involved in making Scotland a fairer, wealthier, and greener country.

Question 14: What challenges do businesses face when preparing for climate change? Please tell us in the box below:

Question 15: What support could the Scottish Government give to help businesses to deal with the effects of climate change? Please tell us in the box below:

Question 16: What opportunities for business would come from changes in Scotland’s climate? For instance, warmer and wetter weather could mean farmers could grow different types of crops. Please tell us in the box below:

Outcome 5: International Action - Scotland supports improved global action climate adaptation

Climate change affects the whole world. Every community will feel its effects. Some communities will be affected worse than others.

Scotland is a small country, but we want to take an active part in global climate action. We can share knowledge and support other countries. We can put pressure on national governments to do their part.

Some of what we can do about climate change is the responsibility of the UK Government. But the Scottish Government will do all it can around the world and at home.

Question 16: How can the Scottish Government support communities affected by climate change across the world? Please tell us in the box below:

Question 17: What international climate change research should Scotland be doing? Please tell us in the box below: