BICS weighted Scotland estimates: data to wave 88

Climate Change

In Wave 88, the BICS asked businesses about the effects of climate change they have assessed risks for.

Figure 4: The top three effects of climate change that businesses have assessed risk for were supply chain disruption and distribution (15.6%), increased flooding (6.2%) and temperature increases (4.4%). However, an estimated 60.6% of businesses reported that they had not assessed risks for any of the specified effects, and 19.1% were not sure.

Estimated share of businesses by effects of climate change that business has assessed risks for. Businesses not permanently stopped trading, with 10+ employees and a presence in Scotland. Wave 88 - 24 July to 6 August 2023.

Source: BICS Weighted Scotland Estimates - Wave 88 from the Scottish Government.  For Figure 4 data see table ‘ClimateAssessRisk’.

In Wave 88, the BICS asked businesses that have assessed risks for the effects of climate change about the effects of climate change they have taken action to adapt to. Note that those that were not sure about whether risks had been assessed were also asked the follow-up question on resultant action.

In line with the risks assessed, the top three effects of climate change that businesses have taken action to adapt to were supply chain disruption and distribution (26.5%), increased flooding (11.5%) and temperature increases (5.7%). An estimated 21.2% of businesses reported that they had not taken action to adapt to any of these effects, and 44.2% were not sure.

Businesses that have assessed risks for the effects of climate change were also asked about what has prevented them from taking action against any of these climate change effects. Again note that those that were not sure about whether risks had been assessed were also asked the follow-up question on what had prevented action.

An estimated 18.1% of businesses reported that they do not expect to be impacted by these climate change effects. An estimated 9.7% of businesses cited lack of information or guidance, and 6.8% of businesses said they had been unable to take action due to costs. A further 21.2% of businesses reported that they had not been prevented from taking action, and almost half of businesses (48.2%) were not sure.