Adaptation Workbook

Adaptation Scotland's Climate Change Adaptation workbook provides a step-by-step approach to developing a planned response to the threats and opportunities presented by climate change.

The workbook is divided into five phases of work each of which includes relevant worksheets and practical excercises. The workbook is not intended to be prescriptive, organisations are encouraged to use the elements that are most suitable for their needs. Adaptation Scotland also recognises that some of the processes and activities suggested by the workbook represent relatively new areas of work and require testing and further development (particularly those aspects covered by Phases 4 and 5). The workbook will be regularly updated as new information and case studies emerge.

The five phases included in the workbook are outlined below:

Phase 1: Getting started

The first phase involves learning about the key principles of adaptation, working to identify how your organisation has been impacted by weather in the past and, identifying how it may be affected by future changes in climate. This phase also emphasises the value of developing a network of contacts who can contribute to adaptation work and, suggests mechanisms for gaining senior management support and driving adaptation work forward.

Phase 2: Investigating the impacts of climate change

The second phase involves investigating detailed climate information and developing an in depth understanding of the impacts of climate change. A key element of this investigation will involve undertaking vulnerability assessment and / or risk assessment work.

Phase 3: Developing a planned approach to adaptation

The third phase involves using information generated by investigations carried put in Phase 2 to develop a planned approach to adaptation, this may include the development of a standalone adaptation plan or could focus on integrating adaptation actions within existing policies and plans. The worksheets provide guidance and templates for developing an adaptation plan, as well as establishing baseline and reporting data, which will help with monitoring and reviewing in Phase 5.

Phase 4: Implementing adaptation actions - UPDATED AUGUST 2011

In the fourth phase, organisations will start to implement a planned approach to adaptation. The worksheet provides guidance on how to implement typical aspects such as delivering training and awareness raising to build the adaptive capacity of the organisation, partners and local communities, as well as delivering adaptation actions. Please note that this worksheet is in the early stages of development and will be added to and developed over time.

Phase 5: Monitoring and reviewing adaptation work

The final phase of adaptation planning, which should be seen as a continual process, involves assessing whether the aims and objectives set by your organisation and partners have been achieved. Please note that this worksheet is in the early stages of development and will be added to over time.

The workbook can be downloaded below. The introduction and each of the phases are provided separately for ease of use.

Adaptation Scotland has produced an excel spreadsheet with templates and worked examples of tables suggested for use throughout the workbook, download this spreadsheet below.

The introduction to adaptation presentation provided below is referred to Phase 1: Worksheet 1.