Adapting to Climate Change: A Guide for Business in Scotland was launched today by Ian Marchant, Convenor of the Scottish 2020 Climate Group, chair of the Climate Change Business Delivery Group and Chief Executive, Scottish and Southern Energy.

As Scotland’s climate changes, businesses here in Scotland will faces challenges as well as opportunities in coping with these changes. Many businesses have already been impacted by weather that is indicative of predicted climate change effects including flooding. Businesses in Scotland must be prepared to deal with an increased number and range of such events as well as general trends towards warmer, wetter winters and hotter, drier summers.

The guidance launched today aims to assist businesses in preparing for both the impacts and opportunities that climate change may present. It gives an overview of what risk and opportunities climate change may pose for Scottish businesses; explains how to build the adaptive capacity to deal with these and provides a signpost to the various tools and resources that are available.

In launching the guidance Ian Marchant said “this publication offers an excellent starting point for businesses to explore the possible risks which climate change may present and I encourage Scottish businesses to use this guidance and the wider support services provided by SCCIP”.  

SCCIP is working with a range of businesses and business-facing organisations to integrate climate change adaptation more fully into everyday business operations and policies. Going forward, SCCIP intends to work closely with business and industry to develop sector specific guidance, training modules and case studies.

SCCIP’s Private Sector Officer, Lorraine FitzGerald said “although the impacts of climate change are uncertain, they can be managed like any other business risk. SCCIP is here to provide assistance and guidance to the business and industry sector to incorporate climate risk into mainstream business management”.

Adapting to Climate Change: A Guide for Business in Scotland can be downloaded from the SCCIP website.