SSN’s Adaptation Sub-Committee ran a session at the ClimateXChange Climate Horizon 2040 Conference on 4th February. Titled Future-proofing climate action – The co-benefits of integrating mitigation and adaptation to create a “climate-resilient” and net-zero future, focused on what this approach means for public sector bodies, their communities and their partners.
SSN Adaptation Sub-Committee panelists: Andy Dick, East Renfrewshire Council; Clive Mitchell, Nature Scot; Emma Yule, Kings College London; George Tarvit, SSN; Joanna Teuton, Public Health Scotland, Laura Burnett, Scottish Water
The key points raised at the session began with acknowledging that Scotland’s climate has already changed and weather patterns are becoming more variable. Global temperatures will continue to rise if emissions rise, leading to more frequent and intense climate hazards such as heatwaves and floods. Consequently, both mitigation and adaptation are essential to effectively reduce and manage the impacts of climate change, both now and in the future. Meeting net-zero goals and coping with accelerating warming will require action at three times the pace achieved over the past 30 years.
The panel discussed the issue of continuing to consider mitigation and adaptation efforts separately. This is problematic not only because both are necessary to address climate change (e.g., the land accounts for 50% of Scotland’s net emissions) but also because mitigation measures can limit adaptation options or even create new challenges for adaptation, and vice versa. For example:
· considering mitigation and adaptation measures separately can result in unintended health harms and increase health inequalities. It also reduces the potential to deliver health co-benefits.
· if a low-carbon, sustainable new build is located on a floodplain or is not adequately insulated and ventilated to handle increased heat events, it could lead to overheating and reduced indoor air quality, negatively impacting health. In addition, costly modifications or maintenance may need to be completed. This can lead to unnecessary, additional greenhouse gas emissions and costs throughout the building’s lifetime
It was proposed that this can be avoided by pursuing “climate resilient net zero”, which would achieve a net zero future while adapting to the impacts of climate change and creating a resilient society as a joint effort.
Collaboration across organisational and professional disciplines is critical to addressing the individual, social and material aspects of change. Public bodies will increasingly need to work together to achieve common, integrated outcomes for people and places. Bringing together the public sector, businesses, academia and communities is also vital to gathering the research insights and solutions needed to tackle shared challenges.
Networks such as the Sustainable Scotland Network, research Centres of Excellences like ClimateXChange and programmes like the Scottish Climate Intelligence Service and Adaptation Scotland are important assets in the drive to develop holistic, collaborative climate change solutions. To explore this further, get in touch at ssn@ed.ac.uk.