In 2013 the Scottish Government will publish a statutory Adaptation Programme. This is a requirement of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 and will set out Government’s plans for how Scotland adapts to a changing climate. LINK recommends that five principles are followed during the development of Scotland’s Adaptation Programme:
1. Develop knowledge – of climate impacts and the impacts of our adaptation actions – and then make decisions based on it.
2. Plan strategically – with a flexible, long-term view and in a joined-up integrated way.
3. Build resilience – in the infrastructure, systems and environment we currently have.
4. Accommodate and enable change – so people and wildlife can transition and thrive in new ways and in new places in response to climate changes and impacts.
5. Adapt sustainably – to avoid maladaptation and detrimental impacts on other elements of the environment.