Community Engagement and Climate Change Adaptation

Anna Beswick

SCCIP Public Sector Officer

Graham Esson

Perth & Kinross Council

SCCIP Community engagement

Low Carbon Scotland: Public Engagement Strategy

Action 23:

‘SCCIP will develop a community engagement programme to increase awareness of the impacts of climate change and improve the capacity of communities to adapt to the impacts. The programme will be developed in 2011 and implemented in 2011 and 2012’.

Piloting community engagement

1. Community engagement and climate change adaptation

Piloting a three phased approach to community engagement in partnership with Perth and Kinross Council.

2. Identifying vulnerability to climate change

Pilot community workshop to be developed in partnership with The Highland Council.

3. Climate Change Impacts and vulnerable communities

Working with SCVO to develop a pilot workshop.

Perth and Kinross pilot project

Three workshops carried out over three weeks.

Workshop 1:Exploring Community characteristics and quality of life

• What do participants value about their community?

• What challenges do different sectors of the community face?

Workshop 2: Climate change and local impacts

• Recent past changes in climate• Future projected changes in climate• Discussing community impacts

Workshop 3: Adaptation planning and action

• Review of previous two sessions• Discussion on community responses to climate change impacts

Perth and Kinross pilot project

Project outputs

Community engagement resources

• Presentations• Workshop activities• Advice on logistics

Carse of Gowrie workshop report

• Outputs will feed in to Tayplan consultation• Available as a case study on SCCIP website

More information

Anna Beswick

SCCIP Public Sector Officer

anna@sniffer.org.uk

www.sccip.org.uk

Perth and Kinross pilot project

The environmental issues

Climate change in TAYplan area

Links with the Local Development Plan

Questions

The challenge

Climate change is a challenge that affects us all.

We all need to start adapting our systems, assets, services and management approaches to this challenge.

The work we are doing in partnership with SCCIP is a continuation of work we started with our LCLIP.

What’s its use

We intend the study to provide a catalyst and focus for adaptation action throughout the Council area.

It assesses future climate change in the Carse of Gowrie to 2050, investigates likely impacts on a range of sectors, and seeks to develop thematic and overarching adaptation measures to help increase our resilience.

April 20, 2023

TAYplan in context

The environment

Biodiversityo 45,983 ha of Ancient and semi-natural woodlando 26 SAC sites (44,316 ha), 14 SPA sites (32,705 ha), 183 SSSIs (77,982 ha), 9 Ramsar Sites (4,622 ha), 8

National Nature Reserves (8,281 ha)

Populationo 475,189 people (GROS mid-year estimate 2008) o Population density 42.8 people/sq km (Scottish average 68 people /sq km)

Human healtho 18.7 % of population over 65 (higher than Scottish average)o Life expectancy is significantly better than Scottish average (except for Dundee where it is lower)

Geology, Soils and Minerals

o High proportion of undisturbed soils (only 22.7% cultivated)o 93,872 ha of prime agricultural lando 465 ha vacant /derelict land

Water

o 55 % of rivers and streams classified as at risk o 120 sq km standing waterso 5,933 ha affected by fluvial floodingo 2,124 ha affected by coastal flooding

Air o Relatively low atmospheric pollutiono 3 air quality management areas due to road traffic (Dundee, Perth and Bonnygate-Cupar)

Climatic factorso Annual precipitation over 1500 mm on summits and under 700 mm along coasts of Angus and Fifeo Average annual snow cover 100 days on summits and 20 days on low groundo Mean July maximum 16 - 19o C

Material assets o 280,000 tonnes of municipal wasteo 33 % recycled

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Development pressure

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Environmental sensitivities

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Sensitivities & development pressure

Problems and issues

Climatic factors

Problem: The vulnerability of parts of the area to increased flooding, and sea level rises as a result of climate change. Particularly sensitive areas include flood plains, river corridors and coastal areas. Implication: It should also seek to show leadership to the wider community and direct development away from areas of flood risk

Material Assets

Problem: The proper management of infrastructure and conservation of resources is central to the TAYplan's aim of achieving sustainable development and protecting the environment. Implication: Reducing the consumption of resources through the procurement of goods and services and work towards increasing the recycling of all waste in the area.

Cultural Heritage

Problem: Impact of increased pressure for inappropriate development on sites of historical importance. Promoting rural environments for tourism whilst maintaining their character.Implication: The Strategic Development Plan should support the protection and enhancement of the areas cultural heritage.

Landscape

Problem: Increased pressure from development resulting in an incremental adverse impact on the landscape, both designated sites and the wider landscapes. Implication: The Strategic Development Plan should support the principles of the European Landscape Convention and seek to protect and enhance all landscapes.

Objectives

To reduce emissions of greenhouse gases • Will it minimise emissions of greenhouse gases? • Will it help The TAYplan area meet its emission targets?

To ensure climate change adaptation• Will it avoid exacerbating the impacts of climate change? • Will it manage existing flood risks appropriately and avoid new

flood risks?• Will it ensure adaptation to the effects of climate change?

April 20, 2023

Strategy option A

The benefits

To realise the opportunities, and also to minimise the impacts of climate change on the area we need to:

– Work in partnership– Take a long term perspective– Take a strategic perspective– Continue to improve the evidence base– Communicate and involve

What do we know

Climate change is likely to raise average temperatures, change patterns of rainfall and lead to rising sea levels. These changes will have a direct impact on Perth and Kinross, Dundee, Angus and North and East Fife.

Equally important, however, will be the way in which we respond to climate change – by adapting to the changing climate and through measures to reduce carbon emissions.

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Sea level rise and flooding

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Cause and effects - Carse of Gowrie

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Sea level rise and flooding

Sea level rise and flooding

Problems and issues

It is important that the LDP takes into account those areas which are already at risk from the effects of climate change in order to avoid an exacerbation of the problems in these areas.

Potential future migration of the population and planning for that higher growth rate

Consideration given to the need for a managed retreat of development in the Carse of Gowrie area where appropriate.

Potential of renewable energy technologies

Creating sustainable communities

Maximising resource use (including the release of greenfield sites) and energy efficiency

Food security

Coordination and communication

Lack of coordination, responsibility and communication Due to the number of stakeholders, the cross sectoral nature of many of the issues, and potentially competing objectives between stakeholders, there is a strong role for coordination at the regional and sub-regional or sectoral/thematic level.

Lack of communications, integration and engagement. Poor levels of communication about climate change challenges to many sectors within Perth & Kinross. Low levels of information sharing between different sectors are of concern.

Making the case to drive adaptive action.

Communicate and involve

Raise awareness of likely direct impacts of climate change across Perth and Kinross, and understanding of the need for adaptation

Provide opportunities for people to identify those parts of their area and qualities that are of greatest importance and which should be protected as appropriate

Create opportunities for stakeholders and local communities to input to adaptation and development plan strategies

Taking a strategic perspective

One of the risks is that we take an incremental and uncoordinated approach to adaptation and mitigation

This could result in a gradual, but significant negative impact on the area

A more strategic approach will help identify areas where there should be an emphasis on solutions

Identify areas less sensitive to change

Identify opportunities to use adaptation and mitigation to enhance, restore or create new landscapes, biodiversity or strengthen the economy

In conclusion

Wider education and engagement of stakeholders and the public to ensure adaptive capacity is built in

Stronger engagement facilitated through sectoral groups, established along the lines of this study or within existing structures

These will help ensure climate change impacts and adaptation measures are made relevant to all sectors

Can ensure appropriate communication and information sharing

Contributing to progressing regional adaptation plan

April 20, 2023