Why Adapt?

A changing climate is a risk.

Climate change is happening and the best available information indicates further significant changes. All sectors will be affected.  Organisations, businesses, communities, infrastructure, even the way we do things, will all be impacted in some way either directly or indirectly.  Also, to get a more complete picture of impacts, it is necessary to consider Scotland in a global context, as climate impacts elsewhere will have knock-on effects here.  A changing climate is no longer seen as an environmental issue, but one that cuts across economic, social and environmental considerations.

Climate change is a risk to your business or operations. Adapting to the consequences of a changing climate will require appropriate action, based on assessments of risk and vulnerability, as well as finding the opportunities that might be created.  As the Stern report concluded action now may reduce the cost of action later.

Depending on the nature of risks, the way in which climate will change over time and how these then affect you, some actions may need to be implemented now, whilst others may not be required until some future time.  Iterative, flexible and innovative approaches must be developed and implemented in ways that allow goals to be met, whilst not undermining future options or the needs of others to adapt. 

Being prepared is important - reduce uncertainty and potential impact by identifying risks, options and starting the adaptation process.