Scottish climate change adaptation programme: progress report 2016

ANNEX B: ADAPTATION PROGRAMME: KEY DEVELOPMENTS

This annex gives some more information about key Scottish Government policies in each of the Adaptation Programmes main themes. Fully detailed progress updates for each priority of the Programme will be published separately on the Scottish Government website.

CLIMATE READY NATURAL ENVIRONMENT THEME:

A Scotland with a productive, healthy and diverse natural environment which is able to adapt to change.

Biodiversity

• Scotland's Biodiversity - a Route Map to 2020 published in June 2015.

Land Use

• Land Use Strategy published in March 2016.

Research

• Strategic Research Programme commenced 2016-2021, including resilience of natural assets and support for ClimateXChange.

Forestry

• Forestry Grant Scheme launched in 2015
• Long term planning for climate impacts to inform planting decisions
• Ongoing funding for tree health research

Marine

• National Marine Plan published in March 2015 including specific objectives and policies for climate change adaptation.
• First two Marine Planning partnerships established.

Rivers and Coasts

• Flood Risk Management Strategies published in December 2015.
• Second River Basin Management Plans published in December 2015.

Agriculture and Food

• Report on five-year food security programme due in 2016 and new five-year programme commenced.
• Extending activities under the 'Farming for a Better Climate' programme. 36 events run by FFBC throughout 2015-16 attracting around 1000 attendees.

Animal and Plant Health

• Scottish Plant Health Strategy published in March 2016.

CLIMATE READY BUILDINGS AND INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORKS THEME:

A Scotland with well-managed, resilient infrastructure and buildings providing access to the amenities and services that we need.

Flood Protection

• Flood Risk Management Strategies published in December 2015.
• Online Planning Advice on Flood Risk published June 2015.

Transport

• Scotland's refreshed National Transport Strategy was published in January 2016, setting out the climate change policy context following the Paris Agreement.

CLIMATE READY SOCIETY THEME:

A Scotland with strong, healthy, resilient communities which are well informed and prepared for a changing climate.

Flooding

• Scottish Government published research to identify and map flood disadvantage in Scotland in December 2015.
• Continue to provide funds to SEPA to support the Scottish Flood Forecasting service.
• Flood Risk Management Strategies published in December 2015.
• Continue to fund Scottish Flood Forum which works directly with communities to raise awareness of flood risk and help protect families and homes.
• Scotland's Fire and Rescue Services continue to train water rescue and flood responders to a high level.

National Infrastructure

• Risk resilience assessments have been carried out with a range of key stakeholders across the critical infrastructure sectors.

Fuel Poverty

• Share of homes rated EPC band C and above has increased 71% since 2010 and 11% in last year.

Building Resilience in Communities

• National Centre for Resilience, based in Dumfries, opened formally in March 2016. This will help build our understanding of the effects of climate change on people, homes and communities.
• ReadyScotland.org website continues to be updated and improved.
• Scottish Guidance on Community Resilience published on ReadyScotland.org website.

Public Body Adaptation Plans

• A Climate Change Impact Assessment has been undertaken of each NHS Area Health and Special Board in Scotland.
• Flood risk assessments prepared for 250 key health care sites across NHS Scotland.