16/03/2023
Pioneering routemap launched to help Scottish communities adapt to changing climate
Adaptation Scotland is encouraging local communities to take practical actions to adapt to the impacts of climate change and help build more thriving communities.
The new routemap resource offers a highly practical and accessible guide on the topic, aimed at allowing local groups such as community gardeners, residents groups and community councils to act now to protect their environments in the future.
The Routemap has been produced in collaboration with Highlands and Islands Climate Hub, the Development Trusts Association Scotland (DTAS), North East Scotland Climate Action Network (NESCAN Hub), and the Scottish Communities Climate Action Network (SCCAN) alongside contributions from ReadyScot, Sustrans, Architecture & Design Scotland and others.
This interactive resource serves as an easy-to-follow guide to cover everything from regenerating nature to greener household actions such as reducing dampness and overheating. It also covers self-sufficiency in local communities, transport options to reduce emissions and how to check areas have sufficient insurance against climate risks.
‘The Community Climate Adaptation Routemap’ features 50+ hyperlinks which signpost users to dozens of other websites and resources by top climate science specialists, organisations and experts from across Scotland and beyond.
Net Zero Secretary Michael Matheson said:
“Our climate is already changing and adapting to ‘locked-in’ climate change impacts is crucial for creating a fairer and greener nation. This Routemap will be a source of inspiration and practical support for communities and local organisations across Scotland, helping them tailor climate resilience initiatives to their needs.
“These tools are crucial in helping us all play our part in securing a net zero future that is fair and just for everyone.”
Iryna Zamuruieva, Climate Resilience Manager at Sniffer, added:
“One of the challenges with working on climate change adaptation is a perception that adaptation is an ‘add-on’ to existing work. That’s why we spent a lot of time with our project partners working out how to link climate adaptation with some of the most pressing issues we face, such as environmental degradation and biodiversity loss, and health and housing quality. This Routemap is designed to link these together with practical climate adaptation actions which start from a place of understanding the causes of the problem.
“As a fully interactive resource, this new tool can be used in multiple ways. It allows people to start with what can just be an idea, then develop it into a workable, effective project that will make a genuine difference to people and environments in Scotland, and help them join the concerted effort to adapt our country to a changing climate.”
Harper Loonsk, Climate Change Adaptation Coordinator at Highland Adapts said:
“The Community Climate Adaptation Routemap is an invaluable tool. It fills a resource gap for practical, easily digestible actions which communities can use to build resilience and adapt while also addressing social issues. It commendably also addresses the fundamental root causes of climate change (colonialism and development) in a way that sets the stage for meaningful, justice-oriented action in the future.
“It’s both dynamic and visually engaging, and approaches knowledge sharing in a new way. Highland Adapts is eager to share this resource with our partners, who we hope will look to it for inspiration and direction on community climate action.”
The community Routemap is split into three distinctive project stages to launch then drive climate resilience in local areas: ‘getting started’, ‘understanding climate change in your community’, and ‘taking action’.